How do you train a dog to stop chasing cars? Emmett is an Anatolian Shepherd and Labrador mix. He is a great dog but is a very strong 85lbs. His owners needed dog training help because Emmett would excitedly jump on guests, pull on leash and chase cars.
Due to his sheer size, all of these issues are potentially dangerous for his owners, their children and him. I always tell owners that in dog training, while it helps to be mobile and strong, the true strength comes from their brain. That’s why a 2lbs dog can make a 100lbs dog cross the street with just a look. Your level of mental strength and the relationship you have with your dog defines how your dog acts.
I had his owners practice a few non-physical and non-treat based techniques with Emmett. These exercises make the dog think, which works their brains and help elevate the owner to be more of a leader, in a way that makes sense to the dog. After a few minutes the jumping on guests and running to the door when someone knocks were easily controlled. The walk was great too. There is no pulling, just walking on a loose leash now.
So how did we train Emmet to stop chasing cars? This requires the dog to respect you and be more thoughtful of what YOU, their leader and protector, wants. It’s also a timing issue. We can’t use physical restraint to teach this, especially a dog this big and strong. You have to be firmly in control of the dog’s mind.
We did several small drills that didn’t involve treats or painful collars, just communicating with him in his language. We made him think and related to him in a natural way he understands. His owners were shocked at how well he walked and how calm and relaxed he was.
