How to Stop a Dog From Chasing Cars

Chasing cars isn’t just a classic Snow Patrol song — it’s also a dog behavior that’s so common you can find it in cartoons and comic strips. But what may be funny in two dimensions can be deadly in reality, and you definitely don’t want your dog to get in the habit of pursuing your neighbor’s Subaru when they leave for work each day.

Keeping your dog safely inside or in the backyard is one option, but that urge to chase won’t simply go away on its own. How can you stop your dog from trying to take a bite out of a sedan (and endangering their life in the process)?

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Why do dogs chase cars?

If you see your dog chase a car — or attempt to — it can be easy to see the behavior as impulsive. But chasing is a natural dog behavior. Dogs have a natural prey chase drive (also known as a predatory chase drive), which means they often feel the overwhelming urge to chase … well, anything: other dogs, cats, birds, small animals, and, yes, cars. 

“Chasing cars is a very natural behavior for a lot of dogs,” certified professional dog trainer and author Sassafras Patterdale says. 

The rapid movement of another animal or object in particular triggers dogs to chase; it’s like a reflex. “The sound and movement of moving cars, especially fast-moving cars, taps into a dog’s natural prey drive or, depending on the breed, herding drive,” Patterdal says.

Some breeds have been bred for hunting and pursuit, which means they may have higher prey drives than others and may make them more likely to go after a passing car. Other dogs want to chase because it’s simply fun and activates the pleasure centers in their brains. Others still are stressed by the sound and movement of cars, which they may respond to by engaging in chasing behaviors or lunging at passing cars.

Safety above all else

Even if their impulse to chase is natural, the last thing you want is your dog lunging at cars or, even worse, pulling away from you and giving chase. The result could be injury or even death to your pet, not to mention potential injury to you if your dog pulls you down or liability for collisions or accidents. 

If you’re wondering how to stop a dog chasing cars, it’s important to start by keeping your distance from any traffic, no matter how slow, until you train your dog to react appropriately. 

How far away should you and your dog be from traffic? That depends on your dog’s comfort level. Standing on the sidewalk may be plenty of distance for some pups, while others may need a little more space when training. 

“Try to walk your dog at a distance where they are able to see cars but aren’t inspired to chase them,” Patterdale recommends. “If your dog is over-aroused by the moving vehicles, try to move farther away.”

Keeping your dog on a leash, preferably a short, six-foot lead, not a retractable or long-line one, is also important, according to Patterdale. “Safety is a first priority,” Patterdale says. “Dogs should be on leashes when out walking to prevent them from being able to access cars they are chasing.”

Make sure you also have a secure grip on the leash or use a wearable, hands-free option that tethers your dog to you. 

How do you stop a dog from chasing cars?

Before you can teach your dog not to chase cars, you have to have the basics down. Work on the “stay” command until your dog understands to hold their position until you release them. You can also teach your dog “ watch me,” which encourages them to focus on you and ignore their surroundings. It’s also essential to practice and trust in your dog’s recall so you know they’ll come when called, even in exciting situations.

“It’s important to understand why our dogs are chasing cars and that it’s natural for dogs,” Patterdale says. “We want to focus on creating opportunities for them to be successful.”

To teach your dog chase is not for cars, regularly practice rewarding their attention with cars in sight, either with a treat or a clicker if you prefer clicker training. 

“When your dog sees a car, praise and treat them,” Patterdale says. “This can help to shift your dog’s emotional response to the moving vehicles.” 

When your pup consistently looks at you rather than a passing car, slowly begin to decrease the distance between your dog and the traffic. Creating this positive association around cars is known as counterconditioning — using positive reinforcement training to help your dog learn new behaviors. 

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Toys for dogs with high prey drives

Keeping your dog physically and mentally stimulated can also help reduce your dog’s prey drive. Consider interactive toys that tap into your pup’s natural hunting and chasing instincts and educational toys, such as puzzles that engage your dog’s brain. If you have a dog with prey drive, the right toys can simulate hunting without putting your pet in danger.

Another thing you can do is provide your pet with plenty of exercise, with or without the use of toys. Toys that help facilitate games of fetch or tug of war, playing fetch without a toy, or even organized dog sports, such as herding trials, provide opportunities for play that are healthier and safer alternatives to pursuing vehicles. 

When to seek expert help

If your dog keeps chasing after cars (or trying to) even after you’ve worked consistently on training, you may want to enlist the help of a professional dog behaviorist. A specialist may be able to help determine issues or breed traits that could cause your dog’s chasing behavior. 

References

• “Animal Safety Tips.” Veterinary Hospital, hospital.cvm.ncsu.edu/resources/animal-safety-tips. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025. 

• “The Basics of Training Your Dog.” Leader Guide, book, pub. No. 4H436, WISCONSIN 4-H, pp.1-3. 4h.extension.wisc.edu/files/2021/05/The-Basics-of-Training-Your-Dog.pdf 

• “Clicker Training - Positive Reinforcement.” http://extension.purdue/edu/news/county/bartholomew/2020/06/documents/4-H-Dog-lessonsbooklet-1-9-pdf. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025. 

• Feng, Lynna C., et al. “How Clicker Training Works: Comparing Reinforcing, Marking, and Bridging Hypotheses.” Applied Animal Behaviour Science, vol. 181, May 2016, pp. 34-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2016.05.012. 

• “Impulsivity as a Behavioural Trait in Dogs (2024-04-10).” Canine Cognition and Human Interaction Lab | Nebraska. 10 Apr. 2024, dogcog.unl.edu/blog/impulsivity-behavioral-trait-dogs-2024-04-10. 

• Shabelansky, Anastasia, and Seana Dowling-Guyer. “Characteristics of Excitable Dog Behavior Based on Owners’ Report from a Self-Selected Study.” Animals, vol. 6, no. 3, 15 Mar. 2016, p. 22, https://doi.org/10.3390/ani6030022. 

• “Training ‘Stay’ vs. ‘Wait.’” Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information/training-stay-vs-wait. Accessed 4 March 2025.

• Turner, Roxanne. “Tricks and Tips to Keep Dog Training Fun and INteresting for Both the Handler and the Dog - Part 1.” MSU Extension, 12 Mar. 2013, www.canr.msu.edu/news/tricks_and_tips_to_keep_dog_training_fun_and_interesting_for_both_the_handl.