You might be thinking, "Why do dogs pursue cars?" if your pet seems to be drawn to anything with wheels.
They're not going to be able to outrun them, and even if they could, how would the end result benefit them? The conduct is odd, to say the least, but it has piqued your interest. What makes a dog chase after a car? Let's look at what can be triggering this behavior and how to stop a dog from chasing cars in more detail.
Why Do Dogs Pursue Automobiles?
Chasing is an instinct for dogs, even if people don't comprehend it. Moving automobiles may be an irritation, a delight, or something altogether different for dogs, but one thing is certain: they trigger that natural urge in which a dog identifies the vehicle as prey they must chase down and capture.
Your dog may chase anything, not only four-wheeled on-road vehicles like automobiles or buses. Bikes, scooters, and mopeds are examples of various wheeled vehicles that a dog may be just as motivated to pursue. Your dog may even chase persons in wheelchairs or on rollerblades!
Because chasing is a natural behavior for dogs, any breed may feel compelled to pursue a car or other form of wheeled transportation. Sighthounds of all sizes, as well as other herding breeds, may be particularly eager to chase, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC).
The Risks of Chasing Automobiles
If your dog is chasing a moving car on or off the road, one of the most important things to remember is that if they continue to chase, they may be hit. An accident could result in catastrophic injury to your pet, which could be life-threatening. If your dog is chasing and has violent behavior issues, you also have to worry about your pet attacking someone if they are able to catch up to them, such as someone skating by your property on rollerblades.
How to Discourage a Dog from Chasing Automobiles
The good news is that your dog can be trained to avoid chasing vehicles or other modes of transportation. However, teaching some extremely chase-driven pets may be tough. According to the AKC, "Many dogs have a natural desire to chase, and it is a highly self-rewarding habit... It can be very difficult to train some dogs not to do it because they enjoy it so much."
This does not, however, imply that you should give up hope. Here are some suggestions for teaching your pet impulse control:
Begin your training before the urge strikes. It will be far more difficult to stop the behavior in the middle of it than it will be to work in calmer conditions first.
During training, keep your dog on a leash and close to you.
Begin by teaching your dog how to "stay."
Introduce scenarios that test your dog's impulse control, such as a family member on a skateboard or gently backing out of the driveway while your dog remains seated or lying down in a still position, once your dog learns the order. This is the most time-consuming part of the training. You'll need to increase your speed or exposure while being safe and keeping your dog leashed and close by.
Consider working directly with a local dog trainer if at all possible for the best results in the safest environment.
So, why do dogs pursue automobiles? The answer is simple: they have a natural drive to chase, and a fast-moving car looks exactly like their prey. Training your dog to stay still or at your side can help you stop chasing cars.
Read next: How to Keep Your Cat's Coat Healthy
Comments