Friday, June 22, 2012

Push on the Brakes on Your Dog Chasing Automobiles

By Michael Severe


Car chasing can be the dog version of "tag, your it," or it could be a sign of a much more serious behavioral issue. Regardless, it puts a dog at a substantial risk for being hurt or snuffed out. Vehicles are the second primary cause of death in dogs. It also increases an owner's legal responsibility should an accident occur. Stopping a dog from chasing cars needs a understanding of dog behavior and a commitment to obedience training.

Most dogs that chase automobiles have a high prey drive. This is the instinctual urge to hunt, which involves chasing, capturing, and murdering. It is completely natural and is genetically hard-wired into the brain. Prey drive is triggered by motion. Although vehicle chasing is a bad habit, dogs will a high prey drive are extraordinarily trainable. In reality some individuals consider this characteristic ideal as it leads to a phenomenal canine athlete.

It is futile to correct a high prey drive. As an alternative obedience coaching teaches you to channel that instinct into a rather more positive action. In a way, you are re-directing your dog's urge to chase into a safer activity. Tug, bring, and agility are good outlets for gratifying your dog's wish to chase. These dogs do best when they are supplied with a lot off exercise.

Until you have got a handle on your dog's vehicle chasing addiction, it is best to keep him on his leash during outings. An untrained dog loose around traffic is a tragedy waiting to occur. Basic obedience training uses simple commands like down and stay you can use to stop your dog from chasing vehicles. You can practice this on-leash till you're feeling assured you can keep your dog's attention focused on you.

Beyond basic obedience training, off leash classes give you another level of control over your dog's behaviour. Some trainers call this an exposed dog, meaning a dog who isn't wearing any training equipment. Your dog will heel, sit, down, stay, and come when called without regard for the distractions around him. This kind of obedience coaching is challenging, but it is a huge attainment to know that your dog will be safe around cars.




About the Author:



No comments: