Border Collie chasing cars

[SusanDuffy]

I ask here, because I haven’t been successful and I am hoping someone can help.

Twenty month old border collie, on a leash, car is coming, she goes into her border collie herding crouch, and lunges at the car nearly knocking me down. I’ve tried everything. Any ideas out there?

She is in a “herding zone” and there is no dealing with her.

People say, give her a snack, make her focus on me, but there is no distracting her once she sees a car.

Any ideas?

thank you all.

 

[jimh406]

You might try these techniques. His dog was reacting to joggers primarily.

 

[jkrubi12]

Raised two BC's myself; 20 months is a point where the energy is incredible for these dogs!

I would suggest more time in 'training', doing 'work' with the dog, border collies really respond well to performing those tasks. I used to play 'frisbee' with my dogs daily and I found a 5-10 minute session really help the dogs & I bond well. Eventually all commands were hand signals!

By developing the closest bond possible, you could eventually convince the dog that the aggression towards cars is unwanted, not tolerated and to be discontinued. Dogs (esp b/c's) truly want to please their 'master' and as smart as b/c's are they will respond well to training.

The age of your dog at this point is important; still developing (somewhat) and in need of direction.

GOOD LUCK!!

 

[rc51stierhoff]

Well I think depending on what you believe philosophically about training dogs, there are 3 primary drives and depending on which one your dog is in could mean a different solution or action to handle the situation. Different dogs have different personalities and different temperaments as well and all handle pressure and correction very differently. Is your dog an actual working/herding dog in practice? Does the dog have opportunity to do what it does naturally beyond being around cars? Either way I suspect you could check in a forum for those that have working dogs…theirs may be geared a little different. Another option might be contact someone who is working with protection dogs. I don’t have any experience with a collie, only German shepherds…I can tell you that mine are wired a bit differently and most important thing is to give them active command (as apposed to passive). I think find a professional that can see the situation if a chat room or conversation with those mentioned above doesn’t work. Someone with the skill and credential to resolve/advise may really want to see the situation for themself. Good luck.

 

[mikester]

Unleashed car chasers around here have short life spans. Keep it leashed and train it to keep close to you when walking on roads. Better yet don't walk your dog on the road.

 

[RCW]

Border Collies are noted for their intelligence and strong herding instincts.
I think they’re also known to be very trainable. Been around a couple over the years.

I’m no expert to give training advice, but think with proper guidance you can have an enjoyable pet.

 

[Daren Todd]

Our shepherd did similar when out walking and a speeding car went by.

Took me about 6 months to really break her of the habit once we moved to our current place in the city.

She would start to go, I would give her a little slack in the leash and then give it a quick pop bringing her up short to get her attention. Along with telling her NOOoooo!!!! And making a really big deal about it.

Now I just have to tell her "no mam!!! Leave it!!!!" and not even raise my voice.

She forgets all training though if a FedEx or UPS truck come down the street and we are out for a walk. That triggers an instant kill mode I don't know what it is about those trucks, but they are pure Evil and absolutely pi$$ her off.

I have to stop our walk have her sit and hold her collar. And she will sit there and bark and growl till they go by.

And this is from a dog that absolutely loves everybody. Except parcel delivery drivers

 

[D2Cat]

Our shepherd did similar when out walking and a speeding car went by.

Took me about 6 months to really break her of the habit once we moved to our current place in the city.

She would start to go, I would give her a little slack in the leash and then give it a quick pop bringing her up short to get her attention. Along with telling her NOOoooo!!!! And making a really big deal about it.

Now I just have to tell her "no mam!!! Leave it!!!!" and not even raise my voice.

She forgets all training though if a FedEx or UPS truck come down the street and we are out for a walk. That triggers an instant kill mode I don't know what it is about those trucks, but they are pure Evil and absolutely pi$$ her off.

I have to stop our walk have her sit and hold her collar. And she will sit there and bark and growl till they go by.

And this is from a dog that absolutely loves everybody. Except parcel delivery drivers

Daren, she doesn't like the noise of diesels?

 

[Daren Todd]

Daren, she doesn't like the noise of diesels?

Half of them are gas, and they can be parked and shut off. If she sees someone come out of the truck, she goes absolutely bonkers.

 

[RCW]

Our boxer Ollie used to pay particular attention to a local lawn care guy. Recognized Jim’s truck and trailer when walking or running with mom.

Jim’s family own our garbage collection truck too. Jim used to pull over and give Ollie dog biscuits…just like his family gave him treats when picking up at the house……

We called them drive-by cookies….

 

[D2Cat]

Half of them are gas, and they can be parked and shut off. If she sees someone come out of the truck, she goes absolutely bonkers.

Then maybe it's the uniforms? Something triggers them one time and it seems to develop a new habit !

 

[D2Cat]

Animals have detection systems humans don't. I can drive to the farm and come from either direction and the cattle will lift their heads from eating grass and turn towards the truck as I drive by. I can be 1000 ft. away. If I pull into the gate they come running. I does not matter which truck I am driving, diesel or gas.

My dog can be riding in the truck and when I get within 1/4 mile of the farm she stands up and starts looking out the window, and it doesn't matter which direction I come from.

 

[RCW]

Ollie’s passed on, but found this from a couple years ago. Note the top of the garbage can. He sure knew the cookie was there….

Getting back to Susan’s question, my wife always keeps the dog on her side away from cars, and swears by the spiked collars.

She is small, and our dogs have been 147, 67, and 92 pounds. All stout and very powerful. She is concerned with the dog pulling her down as well. Used judiciously, they are a good training tool.

Very recently, her friend was pulled down by her large dog, and it resulted in a complete shoulder replacement.

Some people don’t like them and I understand that. They have worked for her, and she is very careful with them. Uses them like Daren said; a quick tug and NO!

 

[Daren Todd]

Then maybe it's the uniforms? Something triggers them one time and it seems to develop a new habit !

I think it was the truck tearing down our old street and then someone bailing out and running up to the houses. She was outside all day with the fenced in back yard, and sunroom for shelter.

Probably figured they were up to no good

 

[Daren Todd]

Ollie’s passed on, but found this from a couple years ago. Note the top of the garbage can. He sure knew the cookie was there….

View attachment 80985

Getting back to Susan’s question, my wife always keeps the dog on her side away from cars, and swears by the spiked collars.

She is small, and our dogs have been 147, 67, and 92 pounds. All stout and very powerful. She is concerned with the dog pulling her down as well. Used judiciously, they are a good training tool.

Very recently, her friend was pulled down by her large dog, and it resulted in a complete shoulder replacement.

Some people don’t like them and I understand that. They have worked for her, and she is very careful with them. Uses them like Daren said; a quick tug and NO!

Everyone besides me walks Gypsy with her pinch collar. I have enough booty that I can dig in and stop her if she decides to take off. Usually it's a cat or or critter. And yes, there was a "Rabbit" incident where my shoulder got popped out of joint.

She knows the difference between the two collars and is on her best behavior while wearing her pinch collar.

A couple quick pops with the pinch collar and a "NO!!!" is usually all it takes.

 

[Daren Todd]

Double post

 

[Biker1mike]

This works for us.
Start with short lease so dog is at your side and in step. When she starts her crouch give a tug on the lease and tell her to stay. Keep some pressure on the lease. If she starts the bark and moving towards the car you may have to be a little aggressive on the lease. Let her know you are in charge. Once car has passed get to to sit and give her a strong bad girl voice.
The first time she starts to stay instead of crouch give her a snack and a ton of loving. It will not take long for her to figure it out. Herders like to be the boss so it takes some time to get them to know you are in charge. A professional is a good idea.

I start with a short lease and at my heel. Then a 20 foot lease and on to a 50 footer. After that the bounds are pretty well set and they can roam off lease. My present girl will run circles around the picnic table while I light a cigar as she know that means she may get to go to the back field. All I do is point and say go and she is gone to harass what ever is out there. I am sure the critters all know that she will not enter the woods.
She is allowed to bark in the house if someone is at the front door or pulls in the upper driveway. She will not bark if she is outside and someone pulls in. She will run up to back deck and then start to bark. This way she keeps us informed that she is doing job yet does not scare the crap out of the UPS drivers.

 

[RCW]

Everyone besides me walks Gypsy with her pinch collar. I have enough booty that I can dig in and stop her if she decides to take off.

Our first dog Ernie was a lab/Great Dane mix, best we could figure. 147 pounds when grown. Holy Terror first year, then he was perfect for 12 years. Walked or ran 3 miles everyday with Mom. Tall and stout. Never worried about Mom's safety with him, or any of our dogs.

Real Ox, he could pull a large truck if the need arose.

Pulled my shoulder out giving him a bath when young. I'm no small fry...

He truly was a Force to be Reckoned with.....and didn’t have a mean bone in his body. Real sweetheart.

Just came across his old rope we used to tie him outside. He broke every rope smaller. I just kept going bigger.

We used similar sized rope for 4-500 pound heifers on the farm...

The new UPS driver saw that coiled up outside, and said “I never want to meet what that’s attached to that rope!” The two got to be buddies.

 

[lugbolt]

Had a border collie.

Smart, or should I say obedient?

Good dog.

Chased cars too. That's what got her. Chasing the garbage truck and the garbage truck became the chaser for a split second as she slipped.