John Divola

Dogs Chasing My Car in the Desert.  2004

Dogs are predators. Chasing is an instinctive behavior in most dogs. If it moves, some dogs will chase it! Dogs love chasing cats, squirrels, joggers, bicycles, cars, other dogs, baby carriages, skateboards, roller-blades and almost anything else that moves. Moving objects stimulate a dog's need to chase. If your dog is a herding breed, then your dog's nature to herd the moving object is even greater. Often, we innocently stimulate the dog's predatory nature and cause our dog to chase. Sometimes it is just the dog's play response. As most dog owners know, dogs love to chase and be chased.

The old cat, car, squirrel, chasing challenge: Chasing any of these objects can be great fun for your dog, but it is dangerous! They all "run away" so your dog is satisfied. They now think, "I won! I scared them off!"

That is self-rewarding behavior at it's best! Not good! It only gives your dog the confidence to chase more often. The new cyclist, skateboard, jogger, roller-blade challenge: The sight of one of these "targets" arouses many a dog to chase them. They rarely stop, so, your dog considers it another notch in their collar, another enormously self-rewarding success! Not good!

Until you have learned to control your dog's chasing instinct, do not let them off-leash. It's dangerous for them and the person or animal they are chasing. To control chasing behavior, you must teach your dog 3 main commands: "COME", "OFF or HALT!" and "LEAVE IT". Your dog must respond immediately to each one of these commands. For this exercise, we will use the word 'OFF!"

Before exposing your dog to a situation where they will want to chase, you must train them in a controlled setting. It is important that you set up a situation where your dog can concentrate and understand the behavior you want. They must have the opportunity to perform the correct behavior repeatedly, since up until now they have probably only had practice misbehaving.

Step 1: Know Your Dog

Start the training inside your home. Put your dog on leash and stand with them at one end of a room or hallway. Wave a tennis ball or anything that motivates them; in front of them but DO NOT allow them to touch it. Now, roll or toss it across the room or down the hall and tell them 'OFF!' If they start to go after it, command 'OFF!' and immediately give them a firm pop of the leash. It's extremely important that you do not allow them to touch the ball/toy or they will think that the word 'OFF' means for them to chase and get the ball/toy. You are not trying to teach your dog to fetch. Practice this several times a day until they make the association of what 'OFF' means: don't go after the ball/toy, don't chase!

When they get it right, praise them generously and give them an extra special treat.

Step 2: Have Confidence in Your Dog

When they  seem to understand this new 'game,' repeat it in different rooms of your house. Slowly move it outside. Practice in the garage or in your back yard. When it's clear to you that they really understand the meaning of 'OFF,' then try it without holding onto the leash. Leave the leash on, dragging on the floor/ground so you can grab it or step on it quickly should they forget what 'OFF' means. When they have mastered this, try it completely off-leash, but still in your own home and yard.

Now it's time to practice with a jogger/skateboarder. Enlist the help of a friend to pose as a jogger/skateboarder. Stand with your dog on leash and have your friend jog by repeatedly while you repeat the 'OFF' exercise as you did with the tennis ball. Be sure your dog performs perfectly on leash before you try this off-leash.

If your dog is chasing cars, ask your friend to meet you on a quiet, secluded street to help you train your dog. Again, repeat the 'OFF' exercise as your friend repeatedly drives by. Be sure your dog is perfect on-leash before you try it off-leash. It's important that you practice this in a set-up situation. Have a friend help, as you must know the driver is aware of the training so he/she can stop the car should you lose control.

By now you should have some degree of confidence that your dog will obey because of the hours of practice and their level of performance in your staged situations. Always use good judgment. If the real situation seems too tempting, too distracting or too stressful, don't ask your dog to perform miracles. Always set your dog up so they learn what they are supposed to do. The objective of training is, to help your dog make the association that particular behavior is appropriate and pleases you. Practice with them daily and with every opportunity that arises. Praise them generously every time you say 'OFF' and they obey. If they disobey, give a strong pop of the leash, command 'OFF!' and realize they need more practice.

Don't wait until your dog is in full chase before doing something. Success is most likely when you use 'OFF' as a preemptive command. If your dog has a strong predisposition to chase, it is your responsibility to be alert for their safety and the safety of others. If you feel you cannot pay attention to the surroundings around you when you're with the dog, simply do not let them off-leash. When they get it right, praise generously and reward with an extra special treat.

Step 3: Keep Training Your Dog

Ask a friend to pass in front of your dog on a bicycle/skateboard or roller-blades. When they pass slowly, command your dog to 'SIT' showing it the treat/toy in your hand.

Give your dog the prize when they pass. Repeat the exercise until your dog obeys all of the times, without trying to chase them once they speed up. After that, reward them with one of their favorite treats/toys.