Post by Decatur on Mar 24, 2007 7:00:10 GMT -5
Curb That Canine Chaser!
By Steve Duno
Dogs love the chase. Be it a vehicle, jogger, child, or another dog—if it’s moving, they’ll try to catch it. Why? Understand that all canines, from the Whippet to the wolf, are programmed to capture prey, which scamper away whenever a predator appears. This flight from danger triggers the canine’s predatory instinct to chase and capture the prey.
The Impact of Breed
The drive to chase is stronger in certain breeds. Herders, such as the Shetland Sheepdog or Border Collie, are infamous for going after anything that moves; their desire to control is just too powerful, so off they go nipping and barking, oblivious to traffic. Territorial or predatory breeds such as Rottweilers, Huskies, sight hounds, and most terriers can also exhibit an obsession to chase, particularly when another animal is the target. For them it’s almost obligatory to let the “invaders” know whose home they are passing. But even easy-going breeds like Labs or Poodles can surrender to the chase. It’s as much a function of learned behavior as it is breed.
Owner Errors
An untrained dog is more apt to chase something or someone if the mood suits. Owners with little control over their dogs tend to relinquish the leadership spot, which leads to pets that do as they please. A dog without rules doesn’t know any better and will simply take off after a car, jogger, bicycle, or animal because that’s what his instincts tell him to do.
The way you interact with your dog can play a large role in persuading a dog to chase. For instance, playing chase games encourages dogs to generalize the behavior over to other individuals. Fido may have a hard time discerning the difference between chasing you in the backyard and chasing joggers down the block. Also, trips to the dog park, though great for socialization, inadvertently encourage dogs to chase other dogs. So, when a jogger or a dog trots by the home, your dog naturally goes after them.
Prevention Makes Perfect
To stop your dog from chasing, first be sure he knows his basic commands, and that he will obey them not only at home, but under varied conditions with changing levels of distraction. This will ensure he obeys you even if tempted by other stimuli, such as another dog or a group of kids playing. Next, make sure he cannot run free when you are absent. No dog, especially one without rules, should be left loose and unsupervised. Finally, leave your dog in the back yard, if possible, where he will observe less traffic and territorial challenges than from the front yard. Remember, no amount of training will help if you continue to leave your dog in a front yard where traffic or people passing by will regularly reinforce his chasing instincts.
Teaching the “Come Here” command is especially useful with chasers, as it can short-circuit the dog’s reactive instinct to run after something. If you teach it properly, the fun your dog has returning to you can defeat the lure of the chase. Just be sure to master this difficult command on a long lead, before trying it off-leash.
Modifying the Bad Behavior
If your dog does chase, try this. First, purchase a “face” collar, and over a few days acclimate your dog to wearing it (follow the manufacturer’s directions). Face collars work just as horse bridles do; control the head and you control the animal. Next, clip his leash onto the ring of the face collar, and then take him out to the edge of the road, preferably one where he has done some chasing before. Allow him to face the road while you linger behind, holding the leash. Be sure to have slack in the leash. When a car or person approaches, watch your dog. The moment he shows any sign of pulling or chasing, pull the leash toward you while saying “No. Leave it!” Then, walk the dog off a bit and have him sit. The correction should be just firm enough to stop his forward motion. Never pull too hard or maintain pressure on the leash, as this could hurt the dog’s neck. And remember, this training is essential to break your dog of his bad habit, so don’t feel remorseful when he looks at you reproachfully.
Walk the dog down the street a few yards, and then position yourself and the dog again in hopes that another car or person will pass. Repeat the corrections if necessary. When you notice your dog hesitating before attempting to lunge after the object, praise him mightily and give him a treat. You can even feed him his dinner in the driveway to further desensitize him to cars and people. Practice this each day until he gets the idea. Always keep your dog on leash when near the road, to prevent injury.
Once your dog masters the basics, try it with a ten-foot lead. With him by the side of the road, amble off until he is at least ten feet away. Then do the exercise the same way, correcting him for attempting to chase anything, and praising when he behaves. By moving farther away, you lessen your direct influence and allow the dog to think independently. Do this until he shows little desire to chase. Be sure, though, that the longer lead does not allow him access to the road.
By using these techniques and regularly practicing your dog’s obedience, you should be able to minimize the chasing habit. Remember though that the instinct to chase is strong; never put your dog in a position in which he can independently decide to chase anything. In addition, be sure to socialize him in controlled environments, to make social situations less stimulating. The more he learns to relax around people, the less likely he’ll be to chase them.
Author and pet behaviorist Steve Duno has published sixteen books on both dogs and cats, and trained thousands of pets. Originally from New York, he now lives in Seattle with his family, a big wiggly dog named Flavio, and a smart little puppy named Rico.
By Steve Duno
Dogs love the chase. Be it a vehicle, jogger, child, or another dog—if it’s moving, they’ll try to catch it. Why? Understand that all canines, from the Whippet to the wolf, are programmed to capture prey, which scamper away whenever a predator appears. This flight from danger triggers the canine’s predatory instinct to chase and capture the prey.
The Impact of Breed
The drive to chase is stronger in certain breeds. Herders, such as the Shetland Sheepdog or Border Collie, are infamous for going after anything that moves; their desire to control is just too powerful, so off they go nipping and barking, oblivious to traffic. Territorial or predatory breeds such as Rottweilers, Huskies, sight hounds, and most terriers can also exhibit an obsession to chase, particularly when another animal is the target. For them it’s almost obligatory to let the “invaders” know whose home they are passing. But even easy-going breeds like Labs or Poodles can surrender to the chase. It’s as much a function of learned behavior as it is breed.
Owner Errors
An untrained dog is more apt to chase something or someone if the mood suits. Owners with little control over their dogs tend to relinquish the leadership spot, which leads to pets that do as they please. A dog without rules doesn’t know any better and will simply take off after a car, jogger, bicycle, or animal because that’s what his instincts tell him to do.
The way you interact with your dog can play a large role in persuading a dog to chase. For instance, playing chase games encourages dogs to generalize the behavior over to other individuals. Fido may have a hard time discerning the difference between chasing you in the backyard and chasing joggers down the block. Also, trips to the dog park, though great for socialization, inadvertently encourage dogs to chase other dogs. So, when a jogger or a dog trots by the home, your dog naturally goes after them.
Prevention Makes Perfect
To stop your dog from chasing, first be sure he knows his basic commands, and that he will obey them not only at home, but under varied conditions with changing levels of distraction. This will ensure he obeys you even if tempted by other stimuli, such as another dog or a group of kids playing. Next, make sure he cannot run free when you are absent. No dog, especially one without rules, should be left loose and unsupervised. Finally, leave your dog in the back yard, if possible, where he will observe less traffic and territorial challenges than from the front yard. Remember, no amount of training will help if you continue to leave your dog in a front yard where traffic or people passing by will regularly reinforce his chasing instincts.
Teaching the “Come Here” command is especially useful with chasers, as it can short-circuit the dog’s reactive instinct to run after something. If you teach it properly, the fun your dog has returning to you can defeat the lure of the chase. Just be sure to master this difficult command on a long lead, before trying it off-leash.
Modifying the Bad Behavior
If your dog does chase, try this. First, purchase a “face” collar, and over a few days acclimate your dog to wearing it (follow the manufacturer’s directions). Face collars work just as horse bridles do; control the head and you control the animal. Next, clip his leash onto the ring of the face collar, and then take him out to the edge of the road, preferably one where he has done some chasing before. Allow him to face the road while you linger behind, holding the leash. Be sure to have slack in the leash. When a car or person approaches, watch your dog. The moment he shows any sign of pulling or chasing, pull the leash toward you while saying “No. Leave it!” Then, walk the dog off a bit and have him sit. The correction should be just firm enough to stop his forward motion. Never pull too hard or maintain pressure on the leash, as this could hurt the dog’s neck. And remember, this training is essential to break your dog of his bad habit, so don’t feel remorseful when he looks at you reproachfully.
Walk the dog down the street a few yards, and then position yourself and the dog again in hopes that another car or person will pass. Repeat the corrections if necessary. When you notice your dog hesitating before attempting to lunge after the object, praise him mightily and give him a treat. You can even feed him his dinner in the driveway to further desensitize him to cars and people. Practice this each day until he gets the idea. Always keep your dog on leash when near the road, to prevent injury.
Once your dog masters the basics, try it with a ten-foot lead. With him by the side of the road, amble off until he is at least ten feet away. Then do the exercise the same way, correcting him for attempting to chase anything, and praising when he behaves. By moving farther away, you lessen your direct influence and allow the dog to think independently. Do this until he shows little desire to chase. Be sure, though, that the longer lead does not allow him access to the road.
By using these techniques and regularly practicing your dog’s obedience, you should be able to minimize the chasing habit. Remember though that the instinct to chase is strong; never put your dog in a position in which he can independently decide to chase anything. In addition, be sure to socialize him in controlled environments, to make social situations less stimulating. The more he learns to relax around people, the less likely he’ll be to chase them.
Author and pet behaviorist Steve Duno has published sixteen books on both dogs and cats, and trained thousands of pets. Originally from New York, he now lives in Seattle with his family, a big wiggly dog named Flavio, and a smart little puppy named Rico.
