Can owner break dog's chasing habit?

By Dr. John Koch

Question: I live in the country and have a 9-month-old puppy. I have a nice kennel for him, but one of the reasons I moved out of town was so he would have lots of room to exercise. The other day I noticed that he has begun to chase cars at a nearby road. I know what the outcome of this is likely to be. Is there any way I can break him?

Answer: The problem is a tough one because it is instinctive. Most animals that are predatory by nature will chase things that run from them. In the wild, this is how these animals acquire the food necessary to survive. Domesticated predators often substitute sticks, balls, cats or moving vehicles for prey. To them chasing is a game. It is one way of having fun. Practically, it is a way of keeping their hunting skills sharp should they need them.

The most effective way of curbing car chasing is to cause the dog to associate it with something unpleasant. Throwing bags of water or using a water gun on the dog while chasing a slow-moving vehicle has been tried. Some have effectively used a shock collar to provide training. I am aware of one gentleman who tried to slightly hit his dog with a car to scare it. Unfortunately, he learned it is difficult to slightly hit a dog with a car. The dog managed to dodge the swerving vehicle. However in the process of swerving the gentleman lost control of the car and hit a tree. I am sure the explanation he gave his insurance company was interesting.

One veterinarian, who regularly makes farm calls, tells another story about a car-chasing dog. Every time he went by this one farmhouse he found the farmer's dog stationed by the mailbox. He was poised to give chase to any car or truck that traveled down the road. The veterinarian recalled thinking, "That dog won't last long." Sure enough, one day while at his office, he received a call that a car has just hit the farmer's dog. Luckily the only injury was a broken back leg. A bulky heavy splint was applied from the hip down, and the dog was sent home. The next day the veterinarian drove by the farmhouse. There by the mailbox was the dog, heavy splint and all. As the veterinarian drove by, the dog gave chase dragging the splint as best he could.

Your safest bet might to be only let your dog out of its kennel when you are around to watch it. If your heart is set on training the dog, good luck, because you are likely to need it.

Dr. Koch is a Cape Girardeau veterinarian.