Hello everyone,

My pup is now 13 weeks old.
She's been scared of cars the whole time we've had her, though we really only started to notice it about two weeks ago.

It's really getting to be a problem because we can't walk her!

When a car drives by she runs to the end of her lead, as far away from the road as possible. She pulls and jumps and whines and scrambles trying to get away.

I'm really looking for advice on how to get her over this aversion. I'm scared that I've inadvertently exposed her to a scary experience with cars while she was in her 'fear imprint' period and that I'll have a really hard time getting her over it now, and I really want to approach this in the best way possible to a)avoid any further damage and b)make her feel more comfortable and confident as quickly as possible.

Joel,
Is there anyplace you can walk for a few weeks with no cars? As in zero. Even if you have to drive to get to them, I'd advise you to not force any cars on the dog for the time being. And after the pup ages a bit, perhaps a low grade auto atmosphere like a parking lot, Many cars parked and not moving or making noise, a few cars slowly moving. Just short and guick, and build from there. If it starts out to be too much for her, keep stepping back into lower grade areas of cars, i.e. smaller lots in quieter areas. Maybe doctors offices that kind of thing. Work up to sedate tree lined developments and on to busier and busier areas. It just takes time. She'll come around, don't worry.

If my dog isn't learning, I'm doing something wrong.
Randy

At least she does not try to chase or run in front of cars!

I think you just need to desensitize her to cars and be very patient and consistent about it. That is, start in a park or something where cars are driving by far away. Watch her carefully as each car drives by the moment she looks at the car, distract her by stepping in her field of vision, putting a toy in front of her, giving her treats, say her name, make noises (yes, onlookers may think you're an idiot, but who cares?), etc.

When she stops paying attention to the cars, gradually get closer, and closer. This will take weeks or months, hence the requisite patience (so don't try to get closer to the sidewalk during the first weeks). Also, when she is calm (i.e., sitting, standing, or walking) when cars are passing by, treat her. Most importantly, I would pop her a treat every time she looks at you.

Also, when she is whining and jumping, do not pay attention to her as you will be reinforcing her behavior and also making her more anxious. Just completely ignore her and when she does settle, give her a treat or toy (whatever she has drives for).

 Quote: joel dunham

. . . because we can't walk her!. . . make her feel more comfortable and confident as quickly as possible.

Walking her is exactly what you have to do.

I had the same problem when I got my GSD from rescue at 18 mos. Our first walks were full of terrifying noises - traffic (especially motorcycles trucks), rustling bushes, noisy manhole covers, etc. It's an easy fix, but you need to move at a pace dictated by your dog, not "as quickly as possible."

Basically, you want the dog to learn that these noises are not harmful but are "normal" and not threatening. I think there are two essential components. You need to go through a process of increasingly adding exposure and shortening the proximity to the source, and, equally important, she has to learn to trust you, that you are the pack leader and will protect her from harm.

Start with limited exposure from a safe distance that doesn't bother her. Slowly add exposure, and close the distance. When she bolts to the end of the leash, whines, cries, etc., stop momentarily til the noise goes by, then just move forward. No need to talk, do not coddle her, reassure her or tell her "It's O.K.," just move on. When you see that she's reacting a little less to the situation, add more exposure and/or get closer.

When I started, her worst reactions were on night time walks around the neighborhood. When you're a foot off the ground, a noisy car coming at you at 30-40mph with blinding headlights is pretty scary. In the beginning, I tried to avoid cars coming up behind us. Walking towards oncoming traffic gave her a little warning and allowed her to "hide" behind my legs when the car went by.

Just keep at it, learn to read her reactions, and build from there. BTW, I never used any treats for this, and I didn't use distractions.

JMO

Mike

Joel, here is a response by Roni Hoff (a moderator on this site) for a problem that a member had with car chasing. I wonder if you could use some of the same recommendations she gave for your pup even though the problem is different?

I would start by playing with her in your own driveway, with the car not running. Once she's comfortable around the car, progress to playing around the car with it running, and then slowly moving, and so on...(and reward with yummy treats when you can see that she's comfortable) If she loses her comfort level, back up to the point where she was comfortable.

Roni Hoff saidin another post)
"Cool, I would first start with working her outside with the car running, playing tug and really being crazy. Maybe two or three minutes. I know this sounds silly, but this is really breaking down the subject.
Next I would start in the drive way, having someone start slowly backing down the drive way, after you have started crazy play with the tug, first time just backing down the driveway. I would have at least 10 sessions of you play with her in the drive
without any movement of the car. Does this make sense?
I would also play with some food rewards using movement like Michael had you do, which in effect ilicits prey drive also.
Hope this helps. Then of course when this looks good you would
progress to the car moving back and forth in the drive and then to the street.
Happy Training!!!!!"

My dog went through a "scared of cars" period when he was a pup and I did what both Randy and Siaty suggested. Low-grade auto atmosphere and using treats and a simple command (like "Sit") as a distraction.

What was also helpful was being in a place where I could see an oncoming car before my pup did. I could then sort of prepare him for the "event" instead of being completely surprised by it. I live on a quiet, dead-end road and it made it easier to do.

As Randy said, it will pass.

Great advice everyone!

You know, I knew that the leash work and the car fear were two separate issues but I (stupidly) never thought to work on them both independently. Great idea!

My wife and I have decided we will add a 'walk' on the local walking trail system to the daily routine, so we can work on the leash work and get a better start on that stuff without the added distraction of the cars.

Additionally, we'll do some of the low-impact car training as well, on the fringe of parking lots, on the front lawn, in the driveway, etc

This has all been great advice and I'm glad to hear that my pup isn't the first to be scared of cars! I guess all we need now is for me to have the patience and consistency to bring her out of it.