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Seeing your dog dash after a speeding vehicle can make your heart race. Not only is it exhausting and stressful to control, but it’s also incredibly risky for both the dog and its handler. Before starting any training to stop this behavior, it’s crucial to first understand what motivates it.
The Reason Dogs Chase Cars
While chasing a fast-moving vehicle might seem like a poor decision from a human perspective, dogs see it quite differently. “Chasing is a natural instinct for dogs,” says Samantha Mountain, a certified dog trainer at Monkey Business Dog Training in Montreal, Canada, in an interview with Mytour. Your dog isn’t misbehaving—it’s simply following its natural instincts.
“A dog that chases exhibits what is known as a ‘predatory instinct,’” says Mountain. “This instinct unfolds in several stages: see, orient, stalk, chase, grab bite, and kill bite.” Any movement, especially something speeding past a dog, will activate this instinct. Even if your dog stops at the chase and doesn’t attempt to bite or kill a moving vehicle, it’s still essential to address the behavior early on.
While any dog can possess a high predatory instinct, some breeds are more likely to chase than others. As Mountain explains, breeds like terriers and border collies—who were originally bred for hunting and herding—tend to have a particularly strong chasing drive.
How to Prevent Your Dog from Chasing Cars
There are several training techniques that can help reduce this dangerous behavior. However, before beginning any training regimen, make sure your dog is getting sufficient physical exercise. “A dog that hasn’t met its daily exercise needs might have extra energy to burn, which could lead to chasing,” says Mountain.
Start training in controlled environments, such as inside your home or backyard, where there are no external triggers. Gradually introduce your dog to moving objects, people, or vehicles, but avoid busy streets. Stick to quieter areas with fewer distractions.
When walking your dog, it’s crucial to keep them on a leash. Additionally, focus on positive reinforcement techniques like praise and treats. While punishment may temporarily stop the behavior, it’s more likely to make your dog continue chasing cars in the future.
Utilize training techniques that give you the authority to quickly halt your dog’s impulse to chase. “The key focus should be on impulse control,” says Mountain. She recommends recall training, where you use a command (or a clicker) to signal your dog. When your dog sees a car and you issue the command, they should return to you instead of chasing the vehicle.
“You can also try using verbal cues like ‘leave it’ and ‘watch me,’” suggests Mountain. With ‘leave it,’ your dog should ignore whatever is capturing their attention and return to you; with ‘watch me,’ you’re asking your dog to immediately focus on you.
If your dog doesn’t seem to respond well to the training, seek the help of a professional. Through consistent training and behavioral management, you can eliminate the stress of dealing with a dog who loves the chase.
