Stop 6 month from chasing cars without lea

[JeanneHarris]

We live in the country without a fence around our yard. Traffic on our gravel road consists of 5 -6 cars per day. How do I stop our 6 month old gsd mix puppy from chasing cars

[Adrienne]

Hello and welcome to the forums,

Chasing cars can be problematic for various reasons. What makes dealing with dogs who chase cars off leash particularly challenging is that off leash dogs are provided with more freedom to perform the behavior anytime they want. Off-leash dogs who get a taste of the habit may therefore become soon addicted to it, so much so, that they'll linger around the areas where cars pass by just for the purpose of chasing. The behavior is highly reinforcing because to a dog's eyes, he is often successful in chasing the car away from his property. Generally, the closer to home, the more confident or motivated the dog feels to chase the cars.

As the cars move away from the perceived property, the dog is less eager to continue the chase. Not because the dog is tired, but simply because he has lost motivation or enthusiasm.  Car chasing, in this case, is often triggered by territoriality and/or a need to feel safe by sending intruder, stranger cars away. Car chasing in dogs may also stem from play, as a way to release pent-up energy and out of some type of modified prey drive. Dog breeds bred for herding are often seen chasing cars as a result of their innate predisposition to chase and round up fleeting objects just as they would do with herds of sheep. 

 Because chasing cars is highly instinctual and self-reinforcing, going against nature can be challenging and the only 100 percent successful way to tackle the situation is by preventing rehearsal of the problem behavior. This entails some sort of confinement and some options are listed below. 

Preventing the dog from being at large in the first place is, therefore, the safest action, especially considering that every time your dog chases cars he risks being injured being run over and those driving the car can get injured too if they suddenly swerve to avoid him. Dogs kept free to roam also unfortunately tend to get into trouble, engage in other self-rewarding behaviors (such as chasing wild animals, barking at people, killing small livestock, eating various things etc), not to mention, are at risk from being harmed by outsiders or stolen.

There are various containment systems for dogs nowadays that can be used in lieu of an actual fence. Here are some of them: 

-Outdoor Dog Kennel

An outdoor dog kennel is simply an enclosed area usually made of chain. It's meant to provide dogs with plenty of room for exercise and play in the great outdoors, while also keeping the dog safe and out of trouble. Outdoor dog kennels come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with many ranging from 6'H x 4'W x 4'L to 4'H x14'W to 6'L or even more. Some models allow customization, so that you can make them as small or big as you want. All you need to do is invest in panels and assemble them together. Look for models that offer a sunscreen cover to protect your dog from the summer heat and harmful rays and a safety latch to ensure your dog won't escape. For extra security, you can also anchor the kennel to the ground. Costs for kennels vary based on models and size. Expect to pay anywhere from $150 to $700 for the largest sizes.

-Outdoor Dog Pen and Gate
A dog pen and gate can also be assembled to keep your dog contained. It can be used to section off areas on your deck, patio, and lawn. You can find a variety of brands and models made of different materials such as steel and iron. With some models, you can connect more than one playpen together to cover a larger area. For safety, look for models made of heavy duty material and with multiple-lock features. Prices may range based on size and can be anywhere between $200 and $500 for the best outdoor options.

-Tie-Out Cable for Dogs
A tie-out cable for dogs consists of a long cable that gives your dog freedom to move around without being tethered to your hand. Cables may vary from 15 feet to even 30 feet. There are currently two different tie-out systems for dogs: stake tie-outs and trolley tie-outs. As the name implies, stake tie-outs require that you use a steel spiral stake that's embedded deep in the ground for a secure hold. Once the stake is securely embedded, all that remains to do is attaching the cable to the stake. Trolley tie-outs provide more room to romp around. They are made of two cables: one that runs above either between trees or special posts, while the other attaches to an overhead cable through some hooks and clamps. A pulley allows your dog to happily romp from one end to the other with less chances for getting tangled. It works similar to a clothesline.

Very important is to ensure that the tie-out is crafted specifically for dogs of your weight and size. Supervision is always recommended as no tie-outs are entirely-proof. Stakes can work their way out, trolleys may snap and dogs may get tangled. On top of this, consider the risks of other dogs/animals or kids or people approaching your dog. The costs for tie-outs vary in general between $40 and $150.

-Long Line

A long line is like a long leash that is often used for horses who need to be trained and exercised. You can find them horse tack stores, but nowadays more and more places sell them specifically made for dogs as well. A long line is typically made of nylon and is advertised to be used for distance training, training dogs a recall, going on hikes, camping sites or for hunting or for simply letting dogs romp around the yard or your land. Unlike tie-outs, in order to use a long line, you will need to hold the other end of the line. Costs of long lines vary based on materials and length and can range generally between $15 and $40.

-Training 

Finally,  another option to keep your dog outside when you don't have a fence is to train a very fluent recall off leash and teach your dog some boundary training. It's important though to emphasize that no dog training can be ever 100 percent effective, so a day may come where your dog may not come to you when called for various reasons, such as, you haven't trained to a certain level of distraction, you call your dog too late (once he already took off) or windy conditions muffle your voice over long distances. Also, you must always be there with your dog when he's off leash and you must always pay attention to him.

Therefore, make your dog's safety your primary concern. In other words, keep your dog on a long line if you live near an area with cars and traffic (or other types of danger) and if your dog may pose a danger to other dogs or people. And always be there with your dog.

Here are some tips for training dogs a strong recall and here is a brief guide on how to boundary train a dog. You can use the initial part of the hot and cold game to get your dog used to targeting cones. 

• Place flags/traffic cones in the the area where you don't want your dog to cross over.
• Let your dog outside while on leash and let him approach the flags/traffic cones. The moment he approaches the flags/traffic cones, tell him "leave it" (here is a guide on how to train your dog leave it) and hand him a treat to reward him for leaving the flag area and moving towards you. Repeat several times.
• Start adding distance. In other words, stay at the very end of the leash and walk him again towards the flags. Once again, tell him to "leave it" and praise and reward him for walking towards you. Repeat several times.
• Add more distance by this time taking him out on a long line (long leash up to 15 feet). Practice more leave its as they occur, always praising and rewarding accordingly.
• Add distractions of different levels now past the flags. Start with small distractions such as a plastic bag or a ball. Then you can increase difficulty by placing over the boundary some kibble or a toy made with rabbit fur. Say "leave it" when your dog goes too close to the boundary with an intent to trespass. Make sure that you reward with treats/ foods that are higher in value than the items left. Give several in a row to leave an impact on your dog.
• Be consistent. Train this for several reps a day and only once your dog is very fluent and reliable in his response (usually after a couple of months), you can then start training this off leash.
• Accept that a day may come when your dog may walk past the boundary, this is not surprising and it also happens with invisible fences. The best thing though is that your dog won't be afraid to return in the yard (as dogs who are kept in invisibile fences do) and may actually look forward to return thanks to all the positive associations of being there.
• Please note: If your dog ever trespasses the boundary, this means you have worked at a distraction level he wasn't ready for. Call your dog and practice more at the level once again using the long line.

-A Word About Invisible Fences

Invisible fences consist of underground wire set around the perimeter of an area and a collar equipped with transmitter which provides a signal (under the form of shock) to deter the dog from advancing towards the perimeter. Although invisible fences are very popular nowadays, they come with several risks that need to be outlined.

First of all, with dogs who love to chase things, their arousal levels may be so high that they'll just run right through the shock without flinching.

Secondly, invisible fences may contain dogs, but they won't do anything to prevent other dogs, animals, people or children from entering their territory. This may put the dog at risk and people at risk if your dog doesn't do well with people entering his property.

Thirdly, there are cases where dogs may become traumatized by invisible fences. Some dogs start becoming fearful of being in the yard and some even won't potty any more outside. These dogs are referred to as '"porch sitters" by those in the industry.

Not to mention, countless dogs once they escape from an invisible fence will be scared to return back in fear of the shock. Animal control is very well aware of this phenomenon as they often see stray dogs wearing their collars lingering around their properties but too scared to return.

Because of these risks, more and more dog trainers no longer recommend these fences.

The Bottom Line

As seen, there are various ways and methods to keep a dog outside without fence, but it's important to emphasize that ultimately nothing beats a good old-fashioned sturdy traditional fence that your dog cannot dig under, climb over or break through.

I hope this helps,

Best,

Adrienne