Why Dogs Chase Cars — And How to Put the Brakes on It

There are few things more alarming than watching your dog dart towards a moving car, eyes locked, legs in full sprint. It’s one of those behaviours that seems to happen in a flash, and it can be incredibly difficult to interrupt — not to mention dangerous. Car chasing in dogs is more common than you might think, and while it can be linked to instinct and breed tendencies, it’s also a behaviour we can change with the right strategies.

At Paws Academy, we work with dogs of all shapes, sizes, and temperaments. Car chasing is something we see regularly, particularly in high-drive breeds or dogs lacking structured engagement. This blog will help you understand why your dog might be chasing cars, what you can do about it, and why in some cases, changing the environment is the key to changing the behaviour.

Why Do Dogs Chase Cars?

Car chasing is a predatory or herding instinct that has gone a bit haywire. Dogs don’t understand the danger that vehicles pose. To them, a car is a fast-moving object triggering their natural chase response. This behaviour is most often seen in working breeds — think Border Collies, German Shepherds, and Belgian Malinois — but any dog with a high prey drive or energy level can exhibit it.

It’s important to note that car chasing is rarely about aggression. It’s usually about movement. The sight and sound of a passing car create a surge of adrenaline and excitement that feels rewarding for the dog. Over time, this can become self-reinforcing — the more they chase, the more rewarding it feels, even if they never actually “catch” anything.

Breeds More Prone to Car Chasing

Working and herding breeds tend to be the most car-focused. This includes:

• Border Collies – Bred to herd, they’re naturally inclined to respond to movement and try to control it.

• Australian Shepherds – Another herder, often sensitive to motion and easily overstimulated.

• Terriers – High prey drive, quick to react, and often intensely focused on fast movement.

• German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois – Strong drive, fast reaction times, and an instinct to pursue.

• Sight hounds like Greyhounds and Whippets – Bred to chase, their vision is especially tuned to motion.

These breeds aren’t “bad dogs” — they’re just wired in a way that needs proper outlets and structure.

Is It Really a Problem?

Yes. Aside from the obvious risk of injury or worse, car chasing can lead to chronic stress, anxiety, and behavioural issues. For many dogs, it becomes obsessive. You might notice them scanning roads, pacing along fences, or reacting to any fast movement. Left unaddressed, this fixation can make walks exhausting, garden time stressful, and off-lead reliability a distant dream.

Training Starts With Understanding the Brain

Here’s where we get into the nitty gritty. When a dog is in a high state of arousal — think adrenaline, excitement, or frustration — they are not in a “thinking” brain. They are in what we call a “reactive” brain, where logic and learning take a back seat. You can shout, you can tug the lead, you can wave treats in their face — but if the brain isn’t calm, nothing’s going in.

That’s why, for some dogs, training needs to start away from the car-chasing environment. Before you tackle the problem head-on, you need to teach your dog how to think with you, not react without you.

We often start training in quiet, low-distraction areas. Here, we can build focus, engagement, and impulse control. Once your dog has a foundation of calm thinking, we begin slowly introducing triggers — from a safe distance — and help your dog learn new ways to respond.

Management Is Key

It’s worth saying this clearly: no amount of training will help if your dog is rehearsing the behaviour daily. That means avoiding situations where they can chase cars, even if that means walking in quieter areas, changing your garden setup, or using long lines for safety.

Think of it this way — every time your dog chases a car, they’re practising and reinforcing that behaviour. Our job is to stop the rehearsal, provide safer outlets for their drive, and teach alternative behaviours instead.

Strategies That Work

One of our favourite strategies is redirecting the dog’s focus. Teaching a rock-solid recall, strong engagement games, and pattern work like “look at that” or “find it” can help your dog shift their brain from overdrive into learning mode.

For example, teaching your dog to look at a car calmly and then look back to you for a reward changes the picture entirely. Now the car becomes a cue for calmness, not chaos.

Impulse control games like “it’s your choice” and structured engagement walks help lay the groundwork. We also recommend using a long line and harness until your dog’s recall and car response are totally solid.

Exercise and Mental Stimulation Matter

A bored dog is more likely to chase. A tired, fulfilled dog is less likely to. But it’s not just about physical exercise — in fact, too much “adrenaline-based” exercise can actually wind some dogs up more.

Mental stimulation, structured play, and decompression walks are far more valuable for building a calm, thinking brain. Sniffing, puzzle games, scatter feeding, and training games are gold.

If you’ve got a high-drive dog, they need a job — but not just any job. They need direction, purpose, and a way to channel that drive constructively.

When to Get Help

If your dog is already showing strong car-chasing behaviour, it’s best to work with a professional trainer who understands drive and behaviour — not just obedience. At Paws Academy, we work with clients across Ireland and globally, offering both in-person and virtual consultations to help dogs and their humans live better together.

We don’t just “correct” behaviour — we teach you to understand it, manage it, and change it in a way that’s fair and effective. Whether your dog is a working breed, a rescue with a tricky past, or just a pup who’s picked up a dangerous habit, we can help.

It’s Not Hopeless — It’s Habitual

This is one of the most important things to understand: your dog isn’t being naughty, they’re running a pattern. Our job is to break that pattern, not through punishment or frustration, but by creating a new one.

With the right tools, a bit of consistency, and support from experienced trainers, you can change this behaviour. It takes time, patience, and sometimes a complete rethink of your dog’s routine, but the payoff — a dog who can focus, listen, and walk safely — is more than worth it.

Need Help with a Car-Chasing Dog?

You don’t have to navigate this alone. Whether you’re just seeing the early signs or you’ve been battling this for months, we’re here to help. At Paws Academy, we offer personalised training programmes that work with your dog’s brain, not against it. From virtual consultations to in-person sessions across Ireland, we’re just a message away.

Let’s get your dog back on track — safely, calmly, and confidently.

Get in touch today to book your consultation and take the first step towards a calmer, more connected dog.