Barks & Runs towards Vehicles

[Joyce Lynch]

My 8 month old Boarder TerrierxJack Russell barks and lunges towards traffic whilst on the leash walking on the footpath near a main road.

I have tried stopping and trying to reasure her but she wont stop doing it.

What do I do to stop her also she has her own place in the back of the car but has poohed in the car on three occasions even though it was only a 10min journey

[Annie]

Hi there,
That sounds like a fun game for your dog and a scarey one for you? My dog used to chase cars and we came up with lots of ways to shock her out of this behaviour. If it´s a game, you could empty a bucket of water over her next time she lunges for a car? If you think it´s nervousness than she needs to have LOTS of sitting around while cars wizz past. The pooping in the car doesn´t sound good.....A quick run for our dog fixed the travel nerves.
I believe that our dog thought that cars were big colourful balloons just made for her to catch! It was only when she banged the side of one ( luckily that was all) and got a real fright. We also had friends drive past and when she barked or lunged they stopped and shook a can of stones or a water pistol. It all helped but it took a long time to trust her.
Your dog lunging in the street sounds more like she is trying to protect you from these evil machines....
I hope someone can help more...
Annie

[Joyce Lynch]

Hi Annie
Thanks for your reply.
I think my dogs problem is fear of cars and she sees them as large noisy monsters rushing up behind her & maybe has this same fear when she travels in our own car.
I intend to keep taking her where there are cars (The only way to get to the park I take her to is along a main road)
Perhaps once she knows I wont let anything hurt her perhaps she will eventually stop doing it.

Joyce

[Annie]

hi there,
yeah that sounds good. She needs to believe that no matter how scarey it is that she needs to trust you. Visit lots of main roads. Also...don´t give her attention unless she is reacting in a good way. Don´t try to reasure her as this is also encouraging her...good luck,
Annie