This is a common question asked by many dog owners; why do dogs chase cars ? Some dogs see a car and automatically feel the need to chase the high-speed objects. This is clearly dangerous which is the reason pet owners are very concerned with this problem and look to understand it. Chasing cars is natural in dogs; they are interested in chasing the moving object. There are steps which can help you prevent or manage your dog chasing cars, though.
Dog Chases Cars Prevention
You, the pet parent, should not show any interest in the cars as they pass by. If you are near moving cars, you should redirect your dog’s attention to you with a toy or a treat. This will help him focus on you rather than the cars going by. Enrichment is the key to prevention.
Managing the Problem
There are methods you can apply to manage the problem of your dog chasing cars. If you have room, you can provide a fenced in area for your dog to enjoy the outdoors and keep a number of toys in the area to keep his attention off of the moving objects. As a last resort, only with the assistance of a behavior specialist, you could associate the chase of moving objects with a negative experience such as a spray or electric collar.
Do Not Do This
Just as with any behavior training, you should not punish your dog when treating the problem. Unfortunately, pet owners sometimes believe physical punishment is the best way to train a dog. This is not true. This damages the dog’s trust. You should also not allow your dog to chase the car as this could result very poorly.
How to Stop a Dog From Chasing Cars?
Now we have answered your question why do dogs chase cars you probably want to know how to break this behavior. This is a problem where it would likely help the pet parent to consult the assistance of a canine behavior specialist. If your dog chases cars, the canine behavior specialist will work closely with you to ensure the best solution for your dog’s problem. Learn more about the top 10 behavior problems.
Amber Johnson, Animal Behaviorist
Miss Amber Johnson has many years of experience with pets and is a licensed cat and dog nutrition and behavior specialist. She currently collaborates with PetPremium where she counsels clients in pet behavior and nutrition. The statements made in this article are the personal opinions of Miss Amber Johnson and based on independent experiences and could be different from the opinions of PetPremium Pet health Insurance or any other pet health insurance provider.