Why Do Some Dogs Chase After Cars?
When dogs chase cars, they can end up in some scary and dangerous situations. If you’ve ever wondered why your dog engages in this risky behavior, there are a few possible explanations to consider.
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They think it’s a game
Many dogs love playing fetch with a ball or a stick and could happily do so for hours on end. Some of these dogs also have the desire to play fetch with or chase after other fast-moving objects, including cars.
They follow their herding instinct
Herding dogs, such as the border collie and Shetland sheepdog, were bred to round up livestock. If you have a herding dog, they may run after a car because they think the car is separating from the herd, even if they’ve never worked on a farm before.
They hunt their prey
Similar to dogs with the herding instinct, some dogs have a strong instinct to chase after their prey. These dogs may mistake a vehicle for their prey and then chase it down with the intent of attacking it.
They are scared
A car can be frightening to a dog, especially if the car is large and loud, like a garbage truck. As such, your dog may run after more intimidating vehicles that come near your home as a way to protect their territory.
How to break the habit
If your dog has chased after cars before, it’s a good idea to contact a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist or a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. If your dog has never gone after a car but has shown some desire to do so, you can prevent this behavior with the right distractions.
Whenever your dog is interested in a car, have your dog focus their attention on you and give them a treat. Your dog should eventually associate moving vehicles with treats and lose the desire to chase them.
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By knowing what drives your dog to go after cars and properly training them, you can help stop the dangerous behavior and better keep your dog safe.
Amanda Drago lives in West Chester, Ohio with her wonderful family, which includes her adorable dog, Coco. Amanda recently graduated from Miami University with degrees in both marketing and creative writing. However, if she was ever forced to change career paths, she imagines that she would train dogs for movies. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, and watching Netflix. She also has a special place in her heart for theatre and purchases tickets to as many shows as she can. See more articles by Amanda.