Any advice from the experienced OES owners re chasing cars?
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| I use the halti-collar
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009YS5S6?tag ... B0009YS5S6 I have gained a lot of control over the dogs using this. I went from being pulled down the street to not being pulled at all. You could also do another obedience class. |
| My Maggie is a car chaser and it terrifies me. I always make sure that I have a firm (but loose!) hold on her leash. For her, it is the fast or loud car that really triggers her instinct. I try to keep our walks very brisk -- no time to sniff -- because if I am walking quickly, her job is to keep up with me and she has less time to be triggered by a moving car. I also try to anticipate when she is likely to lunge and do a preemptive sit and reward lavishly with praise and treats. It has gotten to the point now where when she hears a very loud car, she tends to sit on her own. I never ever ever let her offleash near a road or in sight of any cars. We only go offleash in dogparks or on remote trails. She also likes to chase cars along the fence of my yard. I am working on calling her to me when I see that she is about to launch. Slowly but surely, I am getting a handle on it. . .
I wish you good luck working with your pup. It really is such a dangerous instinct. |
| Good point Elissa! A Gentle Leader is a must for Maggie. |
Thanks everyone. I think I am going to have to try the gentle leader. I am just a little afraid he'll hurt his neck when he really tries to run. Off to the pet store we go!!  (again) |
I don't yet have a sheepie, I have completed an application with a rescue. I have a male Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier, Fergus. He too is a car chaser, but has discriminating taste, he only chases trucks and SUVs  . When I see one approaching, I start the Leave It mantra and have him sit. He is getting better on our walks, but in the car, it's another thing. He goes bizerk whenever an SUV/Truck passes by. Barking and running from around in circles. I try the Leave It, but unable to make him sit while I'm driving. Any suggestions? |
| How about a seatbelt harness for the car to hold him in place? Won't stop the barking but could keep you and him safer. . . |
| Hi caland, welcome to the forum!
I don't know what to tell you -- we have a sheepdog that likes to lunge at passing vehicles, but only in the car. As long as we give him the command within 3 seconds of the passage, and frequently a leash correction, he's unlikely to actually break through the window. We've tried everything. The only thing that works consistently is restricting his movement. I seem to recall that if there are two of us in the car and one site in back with him things are better, but not perfect. We saw an episode of The Dog Whisperer and he was stern with the dog, and absolutely no coddling (no "it's OK, easy, good boy" that kind of thing) to reinforce the behavior. Keep us posted with ANY progress you make! Please! |
| My sheepie never chases cars, and she is 18 months now. She is actually very afraid of all moving vehicles (including bicycles). If she is playing in the yard and a loud car goes by, she runs to the front step. She is my only dog that stays in the yard off-leash (always closely supervised). My sheltie, however, is absolutely insane for cars. He is never off-leash except at the dog park. If he is in the yard and in the middle of pooping, he will even stop going to try to go after cars, even choking himself pulling on the leash or tie-out. Fortunately, he is only about 15 lbs and easy to control on a walk. I simply pick him up and hold him and he eventually settles down. I think Martha would drag me down the street if she was the chaser! A gentle leader would probably be great. Good luck! |
| Remember sheepdogs are a herding breed. They want to chase everything that moves, i.e. herd it. You have to learn to control the behavior. A gentle leader is fine but its just a device to correct the dog with an divert his attention.. Try anticipating the behavior and using some obedience to overcome it. If he starts to try to chase, tell him sit and then reward, reward with wonderful treats. It can take some time, but you have to remember that you are shaping behavior not just correcting it.
Peggy |
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