Car Chasing

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rm3knitter

New member
We have a rescue Newf, Shelby who is 5 years old. She came to us very overweight and has a subluxated patella. She also was not leashed trained. I want to walk her to build up some muscle and lose some weight. She pulls very badly so I am using a harness and she does very well. However, there is one problem--she lunges after passing cars barking and pulling. I usually reverse directions as soon as I know a car is coming (we live on a very quiet street, so we hardly encounter any cars) and this helps some but she still runs after the car barking until it's out of sight. Today I forgot to reverse directions, and she almost pulled me into the path of the oncoming car! I know car chasing is hard to break so I would love any tips as to training, collars, etc. Thank you!
Sharon
 
Leonard and his bud Snuffles

Leonard and his bud Snuffles

Active member
I see Jenn linked the recent thread on prong collars. As someone typed many moons ago, "Power steering for dogs". Snuffles is so much better walking with a prong. My problem with him is not pulling, but putting on the brakes. But he is with bikes that Shelby is with cars. If he knows I know about a bike approching, prong or regular collar, he is generally pretty good now. I would not trust him a millisecond without a leash and seeing a bike though. They do become collar aware though.

I tried a harness on Snuffles, and there is no contol to me. Choke chains never worked well either.
 
pecanpiepatti

pecanpiepatti

New member
A lot of folks use a spray bottle of water with cats to keep them off counters, etc. Same technique with a dog - as soon as you can tell that she's about to take off, spray below her chin w/vinegar or Listerine (can dilute w/water) - startles her and distracts her. Don't spray her eyes, nose or mouth or you'll have other problems. And don't use just water (like with a cat) because she might like that! The purpose is to distract her, not hurt her. Takes some dexterity because you'll have the bottle and the leash, but you might get a friend in a car to help by driving by slowly while you learn to handle both.
 
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rm3knitter

New member
My husband has taken over the walking and Shelby still wants to chase but he is able to hang onto her. Our prong collar has not arrived yet so he is still using the harness, but at least she doesn't get away from him. Now that the holidays are over, I plan on accompanying him with a spray bottle of vinegar in hand. She is very smart and very eager to please, so I expect that she will do very well :)
 
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BLCOLE

Active member
This method is going to sound TERRIBLE, but I have used in on Labradors we had with EXCELLENT results. Excellent meaning it only took the dog 2 or 3 times being corrected to completely STOP chasing cars.

1. Put the collar you usually walk the dog with on the dog.

2. Find an object affixed solidly to the ground near the road.

3. Take approximately 25 feet of rope. Tie one end to the object mentioned in Number 2. Attach the OTHER end to the dog's collar.

4. Let the dog attempt to chase a car.

5. Depending on the intelligence of the dog, he or she will be BROKEN of the car chasing habit after coming to the end of the rope a few times.

It may sound rough on the dog, but it is a better alternative than a dead dog and / or handler...
 
Whybu1

Whybu1

New member
Prong collar or the easy walk harness makes pulling much less likely. Regular harness is made to make it easier to pull; that is why sled dogs wear a harness. Lots of practice with a friend driving the car past slowly on a non-busy street.
 
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rm3knitter

New member
I do have the easy walk harness :) She walks perfectly on it except for when cars drive by. She even wants to go after PARKED cars!
 
TerriW

TerriW

Active member
BLCOLE said:
This method is going to sound TERRIBLE, but I have used in on Labradors we had with EXCELLENT results. Excellent meaning it only took the dog 2 or 3 times being corrected to completely STOP chasing cars.

1. Put the collar you usually walk the dog with on the dog.

2. Find an object affixed solidly to the ground near the road.

3. Take approximately 25 feet of rope. Tie one end to the object mentioned in Number 2. Attach the OTHER end to the dog's collar.

4. Let the dog attempt to chase a car.

5. Depending on the intelligence of the dog, he or she will be BROKEN of the car chasing habit after coming to the end of the rope a few times.

It may sound rough on the dog, but it is a better alternative than a dead dog and / or handler...
Click to expand...
Ben is sometimes put on a long line out front (it's a horse lunge line, 20 ft long) so he can watch the world go by. He lunges after trucks every single time, even after hitting the end of the line every single time. Today he got to chase the snow plow 4 times. He was in heaven! But it doesn't deter him from trying to chase. :/
 
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rm3knitter

New member
I do have the Easy Walk Harness. She walks perfectly with it except for when she sees a car. She even wants to go after PARKED cars!
 
DAWNMERIE

DAWNMERIE

Active member
I'm just curious...have you tried distraction? Favorite treat, HOT DOGS? I had a little cairn terrier that used to do this....it was very very scary, I could not imagine a newf doing that .....many tools to choose from, try the easier one's first. Even with the prong I needed/need stance with Myra, she's as strong as a freight train at times, that's why her Dad still walks her most times but if I have food in my pocket, she's like glue :)

Just remember praise when she's finished paying attention to you & the hotdog..I would say look at Mom and hold the hot dog towards my face, if she ignores the cars give treat once car has past and good girl. Oh, and practice makes perfect ;)
 
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rm3knitter

New member
I thought about giving her treats but there is not much I can give her as she is allergic to chicken and beef and is off food with grains. She might like carrots or green beans. Will give that a try! She is terribly strong! We call her Marge the Barge!
 
DAWNMERIE

DAWNMERIE

Active member
Sorry about the allergies (and I understand) but there's stuff out there to try. Zukes has come out with some great new treats, here's a link http://www.zukes.com/ and I think some even dehydrate foods, like sweet potato etc. Wishing you the best of luck ;)
 
DAWNMERIE

DAWNMERIE

Active member
Sharon.....I don't know how and why I didn't think to mention cheese, yes a bit more fattening (you could get the low fat) but it could be just the trick to stop this unwanted behavior. In the past I've used the Sargento cheese snacks....and if she understand what the end result of the unwrapping of the treat is she might just forget about cars all together and hold focus on you :)
 
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rm3knitter

New member
Oh cheese is a good idea! Will try that! Haven't had her out since Christmas as it has been rainy but will give it a go!
 
plafleursr

plafleursr

New member
You need to have the Prong collar fitted correctly. Here at the Dog Club I teach at we fit the collars to dog. You need to make sure when you pull on the ring on chain part there is a V formed and the link parts do not touch. You may have to ad or subtract links. Try to fit up close to the ears, they will slide down. You also have to unclip a link to put on, just some info.
 
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