My 13-week-old GSD is lunging, on leash, at passing cars as we walk. No barking or growling;
just lunging and straining at the leash.
I have tried distracting him before the car
gets to us but as it passes he still makes his
move, almost choking himself out on the leash.
We are only walking a few blocks, and I am taking
the route of least-traffic; however, we still encounter several cars along the way. He is doing great on leash, save this lunging.
Maybe the answer would be to take him where there are _more_ cars so he can get used to them?
And distracting him would be nice, also don't get tense when car is coming because he sure can feel that.
I have been in similiar situation few months back (only mine first was afraid of cars and than wanted to chase those big rabbits) and it passed.
Also i have seen rott that just would not get used to them and it was corected with electric collar (this was 14 m.o. working male).
Maybe just keep on walking normally like it's no big thing?? I suppose it's possible that when you are distracting him it's giving him attention, he may have made the association that when he lunges at a car you do something. I down my dogs when a car goes by when we are out walking. We live in a very small down with low traffic, we may meet 3 cars on our walks.
We walk along like everything is normal until
he starts to pull. I doubt he is sensing any
stress from me because I don't feel stressed
about the situation. He is on leash and can't
get off. I just want to nip this before I end
up with an 85 pound boy pulling at every car
that passes.
I have been avoiding the walking along like
everything is normal once he starts lunging
because of his straining at the leash; whenever,
he runs and hits the end, we stop. I call him
back to me, and when he comes towards me and
gives me some eye contact, we proceed.
I am hesitant to keep walking with him pulling
so hard out in front. I don't want to give him
the idea that if he pulls his hardest we go
forward.
I think Ivan may be correct; taking a more
heavily trafficked route may speed his
realization that he just cannot catch a car. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
We are working with one of our young dogs on this. We have her stop and stand on command when a car is coming, and then wait to the count of 10 *after* the car has passed to proceed. Proceeding quickly or a treat are the rewards for doing it right.
Good luck!
A couple of suggestions; you could increase your distance from car traffic; it might require walking him in a different location if you are restricted by the way the streets and sidewalks are constructed. At a greater distance, he will be less likely to lunge and you can set him up for appropriate, rewardable behavior. Another thought, you could just turn and start walking in the other direction when he starts to pull (don't wait for the lunge). Call him along in an excited voice and get him engaged in working with you, making yourself more fun than lunging at the car. Bring along your ball on a string.
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