General Care and Nursing

Car chasing is a problem in most communities. This bad habit should be broken before the dog comes to harm or causes an accident. Cars on the road are not the only danger; many pets have been seriously injured in their own driveways while the family car was being backed out. A dog should be taught, therefore, to give wide berth to any moving vehicle.

Training can be begun in the home driveway if it is long enough, or on the street at a time when there is little or no traffic. Let one member of the family take the dog into the yard, or on the sidewalk, on a fairly long leash. As the car is driven slowly down the road, have someone sitting opposite the driver ready to shoot a spray from a water pistol or plant mister into the dog’s face as he approaches the car and you order sharply and immediately “No!” This has a frightening effect upon most dogs and will discourage them. The use of your own car is best because, being familiar with it, the dog runs up to it expecting a ride. Controlled by the leash, he gets near enough to be squirted, but not near enough to risk injury. Sometimes this is all that is needed to teach him to stay away from moving wheels.

If, however, the dog becomes a confirmed auto chaser, stronger measures may be needed. Have a friend drive a car up and down a quiet street. He will know what you are doing and will therefore be on guard to prevent injuring the dog. Snap on a long leash out to full length as he lunges. As he nears the wheels, jerk him off his feet so sharply that the tumbles over, and command “No!” This may have to repeated many times, and though it seems rather severe punishment, some dogs need it for their own safety.