Dog vs Car

Dear Arlene, Your question reminds me of the story of the mother rabbit at the side of the highway telling her baby rabbit that those things (cars) are nothing to worry about as they're wizzing by. "Look, I'll show you she says as she steps onto the highway with a car bearing down at 60 miles an hour, which at the last moment swerves around her. "See, I told you, they're nothing to worry about" she says as she rejoins her baby off the road. If the car smelled or moved like wolf or coyote, a predator, as a prey animal the rabbit would have a natural aversion. In our society, dogs are are predator animals with no natural enemies, and wouldn't fear a car anymore than it would fear a park bench. On the contrary, movement elicits a prey drive in dogs. That's why the puppy chases the blowing leaf, the movement represents prey. That's why many dogs are car chasers, or go after joggers and skateboarders. As a trainer I've had to teach countless dogs to NOT go after cars, bikes, rollerbladers, etc. That's done with a "Leave It" command, "Dog, whatever you're focused on, be it a squirrel, cat, another dog, or car, ignore it, leave it alone!" However, not chasing a car is not the same as being wary of, or avoiding them. A client once told me that her Standard poodle got "nicked" by a car, not really hurt but mildly traumatized, and then got pretty good at avoiding them. Not a suggested training method! Considering the constant exposure our dogs have to cars, having them fleeing from moving cars would be impossible to live with. Imagine trying to take a walk with such a dog in Manhattan! A "Leave It" command for moving cars should be taught by a professional as it requires precise timing and a correction suitable to the temperament and intensity of the dog.