Behaviur Problems: Chasing Cars & How To Prevent It

In young pups or dogs that have only chased a few times, correction is far simpler than if the dog has been chasing for more than a few weeks. Early correction can usually be made by transforming the stimulus, whether it is a car, bicycle, motorcycle, children on skates, etc, from an attractive to an aversive stimulus. One of the most effective methods involves the “monkey-see, monkey-do” principle. This requires the cooperation of one or several car owners who are prepared for the dog and stop their vehicle before any injury can be sustained. If bicycles, motorcycles or other stimuli cause the chase, these of course should be employed.

The owner should walk with the dog toward the street from various starting points the dog has used in the past or would be likely to use in the future for its attacks. Just as the dog starts to break into its run, the owner should suddenly reverse direction away from the vehicle, shouting as if fearful. The vehicle’s operator must slam on the brakes, screeching the tires to a halt, after which the vehicle and operator must remain still until owner and dog have retreated to their own property and have gone from sight. Then, the vehicle should be driven or pedaled onward and a repeat performance set up.

The process must be repeated until the owner no longer needs to reverse his direction to stimulate the dog to retreat back to its own property. This may take as many as 20 repetitions, with the cooperating operators and vehicles rotating their appearances. When this is accomplished, the same method is used, with the owner absent from the scene, to test the degree of conditioning obtained. If the dog resumes chasing the vehicles, the procedure should be started anew until success is achieved.

The value of this method is best demonstrated in young dogs or those that have recently acquired the behavior. In older and more experienced dogs, more preparation and work are required. The tenacious chaser is usually one that has been at it for more than a few weeks. Underlying causes frequently involve more than simple satisfaction of a chase reflex. Many affected dogs have suffered severe injuries from their “conquests” after catching up with the mechanical prey, and yet have persisted in their folly to chase cars and other fast-moving vehicles.

In these cases, the total environmental and behavioral background must be examined to determine the causative factors; these must then be removed. Possible inciting causes include:

• Barrier or tether frustration.
• Wandering free around the neighborhood.
• Regular walks and urine marking.
• Tendencies acquired through the owner’s previous anxiety or overt chase behavior of vehicles or children on skates, skateboards, bikes, etc.