My GP aggressively goes after moving cars while I'm out walking w/him

by Bob
(Etown, KY)

My GP aggressively tries to go after moving cars while I'm walking him on a leash. Is this normal? Is there a way to break him of this?

Comments for My GP aggressively goes after moving cars while I'm out walking w/him

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Dec 31, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar 		Reactive to Cars
by: Donna

I don't know your dog's background. Have you had him since a pup? Is he a rescue? Perhaps he deems the cars as a threat if he hasn't been exposed to them much.

Always use positive-reinforcement. You want to distract him before the cars go by which means you have to pay attention to the cars coming and going.

If you need help, make sure to get a positive-reinforcement trainer in to help you. Never send you dog out for training. You are the one who needs to learn how to manage him. Become partners.

You can start here:

http://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/reactive-dog-moving-past-distractions

Do a search on her site for more help on reactivity.

This talks about a dog approaching but this can pertain to anything to which a dog reacts.
Jan 01, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		Been there done that
by: Ed A from NJ

When my boy Beau was 2 he broke free and caught a school bus. I can tell you it cost me over $300 bucks because when the driver stoped to not hit him Beau bite into the front tire and punched it (no kidding). Lucky for me he was in training to be my service dog and they broke that. Pyrenees are very strong and stubborn but as I recall the correction was just strong heal training. Plus as he learned his need to stay close to correct my balance issues he got more deacsted to his job.
Jan 01, 2016
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starstarstarstarstar 		dodging traffic
by: Anonymous

Unwanted behaviour in any domestic pet has a root cause, and in most cases it is frustration.
How old is your dog? Has he been neutered? Are your walks with him his only exercise and does he have play time on a regular basis with other canines? Does he stretch, run, romp, interact..?
Carefully observe your dog's daily routine with you. When you walk with him, do you enjoy this activity with your dog? Are you relaxed? Do you walk the same route every day and for the same length of time? Are you able to keep up to his long stride? Has he been kenneled all day in the house while you are at work, and is this the only outdoor "patrol time" he gets?
Somewhere in there, your dog has reached a level of frustration with this activity that he has tried to relieve by creating a diversion for himself. You know its dangerous...he has no fear. Un-neutered?..strong hormonal drive. Not enough exercise or change-ups in your route?..boredom. The result?...a constant buildup of energy never adequately released. Frustration.
This is more than just a training issue, so what can you change within the entire scope of your life with your dog? Put your self in his boots and look at life thru his eyes. A calm dog is a contented dog. Do not resort to punishment or intimidation tactics with this dog when he tries to chase cars. It won't work and he may then challenge you. Just stay aware of his signals when you walk. Redirect his attention back to you with a tasty treat before he has a chance to lunge at a moving vehicle. It will take time to break this habit. You will have to do more than just spend time training while walking. Your dog doesn't consider chasing cars a problem and you have to convince him to focus on you. Do read everything on Pyr behaviour on this site. Do consider having your dog assessed by a dog behaviourist familiar with this breed. This problem has the potential to become an epic battle of willpower which you will lose. Nip it in the bud, now.
Good luck.
Jan 02, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Just like mine....
by: Anonymous

We have an 11 year old female rescued at 3. She's always been aggressive towards large and noisy vehicles. We keep her on a leash so she'll never catch one.

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