My dog chases cars,he doesnt come when he calls and i have tried everything! what should i do?

Question

HE IS A BORDER COLLIE AND HE IS VERY HIGH ENERGY, I TRY TO KEEP HIM BUSY, BUT HE ALSO LIKES TO CHEW! SO WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Answer 1

I know exactly how you feel! I have working dogs as well (cattle and a kelpie) who drives me insane sometimes. When he chases cars, he's herding the farm animals. I do not believe you can get rid of that behaviour as it is instinct. This is where keeping him confined is needed. The electric fence is a good idea if you can afford it. It's up to you about the shock collar, but you can get collars where you control them and zap them when they are naughty. It's meant to be humane. I think they are pretty dear as well. My dogs barked a lot and the neighbours complained so I had to do something. I bought a barking collar and I cried the first time it was used on both dogs because they yelped. It did teach them quickly though, and I had to look at it (as hard as it was), that I was honestly doing it for their own good. My cattle dog chews EVERYTHING in sight. My rectangular wooden coffee table is practically round, my bed frame has been eaten around the edges and I don't know how many shoes I have lost, or toilet rolls I find stolen and chewed. I don't feel I can do much about the need to chew, but it wasn't hard for me to teach him what is his toys, and what are off limits. (When he went to chew something he wasn't supposed to, I would hand him his toy). I buy a couple of bags of toys from the second hand shop a week for a couple of dollars and he can chew away. It's not expensive for me to replace so I don't get angry. He absolutely loves things that makes sounds so he has many squeeky toys, and babies rattles etc. The sounds entertain him. I have also bought a couple of children't wading pools and fill them up every couple of days and he loves to swim and muck around in there. I also have rubber duckies in there where he loves to go and get them out. Feel free to email me if you want to chat about the dogs as working dogs are a very different breed to look after than other dogs and I'd be happy to share stories and tips. [e-mail]. Good luck!

Answer 2

Fortunately, my dog never chased cars, but he didn't come when he was called either. Thought some may be against it, I went out and bought a shock collar. When he went past our yard boundary I would call him or tell him no, if he didn't listen shock him. Nine out of ten shock collars have levels. So, depending on how big your collie is and how much "loose skin" he/she may have, you will have to try out different levels to see which he responds to.

My dog definately chewed up everything I had. From my shoes to my cell phone! I finally gave up and bought every chew toy I could from the store and found out which he likes the best. Try that.

Also, most invisible fences don't work. Some dogs have enough strength and or energy to go right through them. Like I said, from experience the shock collar works. But if you really don't like that idea, I would just stay with him when he is outside and let him know when it's time to come in when you call.
Best of luck to ya!

Answer 3

I had one too. He was the same way. Trainning and practice is the best answer. It's tough, but they are soooooo smart they have to be well trainned bc if not they will tear up your house out of sheer boredom. Get him enrolled in some obedience classes. Also enroll him in some agility trainning that will keep him stimulated and wear out some of that energy. Please, keep him on leash until he gets trained. Remember he is a herding dog and will try to herd everything from cars to children. As far as the chewing, only let him chew in certian places. He may have a hard time telling the difference between toys and furniture. Let him chew while in his crate or outside, but nowhere else (which means haveing to keep an eye on him constantly), but within in a week or two he will ge the point that you get to choose what he gets to chew on not him. Make sure he's got plenty of Kongs and Nylabones. It's alot of hard work, but it is worth it. Good Luck.

Answer 4

Border Collies need hours of stimulation a day and herding is a natural instinct. He is not 'chasing' the cars as much as he is trying to herd them. Thousands of herding dogs die from this, so you need to get it to stop right now.

The most obvious solution is to keep the dog contained. Leash him whenever he's outside and keep him in a fenced yard the rest of the time.

Secondly, you need to work with him more if he is chewing things up. Again, Border Collies often need hours of work or stimulation a day. If you don't have this to give, then you need to give your dog to rescue. It's unfair to ask him to be a lab because you don't have the time.

I also would advice against invisible fencing. They are illegal in many countries and some dogs will 'play through the pain' to get to what they want to get to. It also provides no protection against predators; coyotes, other dogs, mean children, etc.

Good luck to you.

Answer 5

Had a dog that I cured of chasing car by having a friend drive by. When the dog went after the car, he stopped and sprayed the dog in the face with some warm, slightly soapy water. The dog never chased another car.

Answer 6

Oh for crying out loud. Try a leash! Loose dogs are TROUBLE! He could get in a fight with another dog or get hit by a car. I HATE it when loose dogs come running up to us when we are out walking. I carry pepper spray or a bat and will use it if a dog does not back off.

I have been teaching obedience for 25 years, my dogs are all onlead, why isn't YOURS? It is the responsible thing to do.

Answer 7

I would say you need to have him on a chain so he can't get to the road to chase cars. You'll end up loosing him if you don't because one of these days he's gonna get hit by one of those cars.

For chewing. I had the same problem so I sprayed cheap dollar store cologne on things my mini-dachshund liked chewing. It didn't take long for her to learn what she could and could not chew.

Answer 8

no no no - dont put a shock collar on him, its slack.

(to the people who are suggesting that - how would u like it if someone wrapped something around ur neck and everytime u got excited and really wanted to do something that the other person didnt want you to do they shocked you?

and to make it worse you didnt know what you were allowed to do coz this person spoke a completely different language.)

I had a german shepard cross and he was like that as a puppy - what i used to do was take him up to the park and if no one was there, i would just let him run and run then when i wanted him to return, i would call his name, if he didnt come i would start running as fast as i could in the opposite direction (away from him). he'd think it was a game and start chasing after me and when he was close enough id grab his collar and put the lead back on him.

Lots of praise, treats and hugs when they do the right thing and lots of positive attention are the best ways to train your dog. Never hurt them for not understanding you.

Answer 9

Put him on a leash. Then take him to class and teach him obedience, followed by a high-energy sport like agility.

Answer 10

Go to petsafe.com There produces really work well. I know I use to work for them till I had to quit for medical reasons. People think that its shock collars but its not a electric shock. My kids and their friends use to shock their selfs and each other with the collars.