Have you ever been told that your Border Collie just needs to “watch cars” until they get used to them? Or maybe you’ve heard that you should reward them with treats as cars pass by, hoping they’ll start associating vehicles with positive experiences? If your dog won’t even take a treat when cars are around, you’re not alone—and you’re likely frustrated.

I completely understand where you’re coming from. My dog Budweis went through a phase where he was an awful car chaser! Today, I can confidently walk him by roads with zero issues—but we didn’t get here by simply exposing him to more cars or trying to give him treats every time one passed.

Car chasing is a particularly tricky behaviour to address because cars are everywhere. They’re unavoidable, and they can easily become a huge source of stress or overstimulation for your dog. Personally, I want my dog to view vehicles as irrelevant—not something that demands attention, and certainly not something to lunge at.

If this is something you’re struggling with, you might be wondering, “What’s the right approach to help my dog?” The key is not to bombard them with more exposure or use food as a crutch every time a car drives by. Instead, we need to approach the issue strategically, starting from a point where your dog can already succeed, and gradually building from there.

Step 1: Define the Desired Behaviour

What do you really want your dog to do around cars? In my case, I wanted Budweis to calmly walk with a loose leash and be able to focus on sniffing around, not on the passing cars. Think about the behaviours you would like to see from your dog on walks near traffic: Is it calm walking? Focusing on something else entirely, like sniffing or engaging with you?

Step 2: Assess Your Dog’s Current Success Points

Now, evaluate where your dog is already able to behave as you would ideally like them to behave around roads. Can they walk peacefully near cars if they can only hear them and not see them? Are they more relaxed when the cars are moving slowly, or when they’re far away? These smaller successes are your starting point, and this is where we can begin working with your dog to build tolerance and calm around traffic.

Step 3: Gradually Build from Success

Once you’ve identified your dog’s current success level, it’s time to gradually increase the level of difficulty. For instance, if your dog can handle the sound of a car but not the sight, start with areas where cars are farther away and slowly move toward busier roads as your dog becomes more comfortable. Your goal is to help them realise that cars are simply background noise—not something that warrants a reaction.

Step 4: Seek Professional Guidance

As you work through this, remember that a qualified, ethical professional can be a huge asset in bridging the gap between where your dog is now and where you want them to be. Navigating car chasing behaviours, especially with high-energy dogs like Border Collies or other herding breeds, can require specialised strategies tailored to your dog’s temperament and needs.

If you’re struggling or unsure where to begin, I’d be happy to help! Working together, we can create a personalised plan that builds your dog’s confidence around cars and sets them up for success in real-world situations.

Ready to tackle your dog’s car-chasing behaviour?
Reach out today to schedule a free consultation call—I’d love to help you and your dog achieve calmer, more relaxed walks!