Content
- aggressiveness for fear
- territorial aggressiveness
- Dog running after cars as a joke
- predatory aggressiveness
- Stress, anxiety and other factors
It is relatively common to see dogs chasing, chasing and/or barking for street vehicles, including bicycles and skateboards. If this happens to your furry companion, you should know that there are several causes that can cause this behavior and that each one will need different therapy.
In this article by PeritoAnimal we will explain why do dogs run after cars and motorcycles and what you should do in each case to ensure that your behavior does not go further and could become dangerous.
aggressiveness for fear
Fear is an emotion caused by danger perception, real or not. This primary emotion allows the animal to survive a risk or threat. If we are in front of a dog running after a car or motorcycle, such behavior classified as a type of aggressiveness, can be caused by a poor socialization of the puppy, by a genetic issue or by a traumatic experience, such as being run over. However, if you have an adopted dog, it can be very difficult to find out why he is used to chasing vehicles such as cars, motorcycles and bicycles.
At the beginning of this behavior, if we know how to interpret canine language, it will be noticeable that the dog adopts defensive postures, immobility or an attempt to escape, but when this is not possible the dog begins to actively defend itself, growling, barking, chasing and even attacking.
Treat this type of aggressiveness it's not a simple task and this is what you should work on in parallel behavior modification sessions, all with the help of a professional. Some guidelines that we can apply in this case are:
- Conduct behavior modification sessions in a controlled environment to positively associate the presence of bicycles, cars, or motorcycles.
- Wear a secure harness and leash in public spaces to avoid a possible accident. In severe cases it may be necessary to wear a muzzle.
- Avoid the presence of stimuli that cause fear, walking the dog during the calmest hours of the day and keeping a safe distance so that it does not react aggressively.
- Avoid scolding, dragging, or punishing the dog if he reacts negatively, as this will increase his stress levels and aggravate the fear-provoking association.
- We should facilitate the escape whenever possible so that the dog does not react negatively and keep stress levels low.
We must remember that in severe cases of aggressiveness out of fear or in the case of phobias, the treatment can be lengthy and perseverance, specialist supervision and correct application of guidelines is the key to helping the dog resolve his fears, although this is not always possible.
territorial aggressiveness
Territorial aggressiveness is very common in dogs that live in houses with gardens or backyards and who can perceive through their senses the approach and presence of stimuli in their territory. They tend to bark and run towards the door, gate, fences or walls. This is a very common and instinctive behavior and will always occur in a familiar place, such as your home, patio, backyard or garden.
We must also emphasize that in these cases the dog will perform the alarm barks (fast, continuous and without pause) and that it will not only be done in the presence of cars, bicycles or motorcycles, but also if other dogs or people appear. If our dog also reacts like this outside the home, we are not talking about territorial aggression, but another behavioral problem, such as fear aggression.
In this case, behavior modification sessions will also be needed, in which the self-control and the dog's vocalization. With the help of a professional, it will be possible to identify the dog's safety space (the distance at which he does not react) to start working on approaches, reinforcing calm and relaxed attitudes to also change the behavior of running after cars.
Dog running after cars as a joke
In this case, we refer to the behavior of puppies who are in the middle of the socialization phase (up to 12 weeks normally). They can perform the stalking behavior for different reasons: lack of environmental stimulation and enrichment, unconscious reinforcement by the tutor, boredom, imitation...
Is important do not reinforce stalking behavior, as this can put the dog's life at risk if a car hits him. In addition, it would also be necessary to use a leash in public spaces, as well as walk in safe environments, encouraging you to sniff, play with the ball, with us or with other dogs. The unwanted behavior, in this case, of chasing dogs, motorcycles and other vehicles, should be completely ignored in order to positively reinforce calm, peaceful walks and appropriate play periods.
predatory aggressiveness
Like territorial aggressiveness, predatory aggression is instinctive and innate in dogs, however it is one of the most complicated to work with. In it, the canine manifests an emotional response that is not towards cars and bicycles, but also towards people who are running, children or small dogs.
This is common in very nervous dogs, hyperactive dogs and even particularly active breeds. The problem with this type of aggression is that it usually manifests itself in a untimely and harmful. We can know that it is predatory aggression when the dog performs a complete or almost complete hunting sequence: tracking, attacking position, chasing, capturing and killing.
In addition, the dog acts furtively and unexpectedly, which leads us to perform a risk analysis, especially if children or people running are also affected.
In these cases, the use of a leash and muzzle It is essential, as long as you have worked well with the dog, using the muzzle. This type of aggressiveness must be worked with a professional, who will act to control the dog's impulsiveness, obedience and self-control.
Stress, anxiety and other factors
Dogs that live under high levels of stress and anxiety, who receive inconsistent punishments or do not live in a predictable environment are more susceptible to persecution, so it will always be essential to check that we have really fulfilled the 5 animal welfare freedoms before we start working on the problem.
Finally, whether you've been able to identify why your dog runs after cars and motorcycles or not, we encourage you to look for one. experienced professional to help you better understand your dog, conduct behavior modification sessions with you, and provide you with appropriate guidelines so you know how to act in your specific case.
And since we're talking about vehicles, maybe you might be interested in this other article where we talk about traveling with a dog on a motorcycle.
If you want to read more articles similar to Why do dogs run after cars and motorcycles?, we recommend that you enter our Behavior Problems section.