Terrier hates white vans, buses and black taxis.

[AstrantiaMajpr]

Has any one trained a dog not to lunge at vehicles?. She is 8 years old and is spooked by vehicles.

[MidLifeCrisis2017]

Came on here to ask the same question! Mine started with barking at vans and lorries but now almost drags me under vehicles. She's 7. Most of our walks are off lead in fields, but walking to them is a nightmare. She's a lot stronger than me and it's quite scary.

Hope someone comes along with good advice.

[missbattenburg]

A process of counter conditioning: changing something she hates into something she likes/doesn't mind by partnering it with something she loves. Every time she sees a van she gets a treat.

Do it slowly, starting as far away from the van etc as possible - it needs to be far enough that she doesn't react at all to it - and take your time. Move closer and closer to the vans etc at each session so long as she doesn't react to them. Expect it to take 10s of sessions over several weeks/months. pita but worth it in the long run. In the meantime, do not walk her anywhere where she might encounter the vehicles (unless as part of the counter conditioning programme) to void triggering her.

See here: for an example. This is getting a dog used to people walking by a car but the principle is the same.

[missbattenburg]

Sorry, wrong video posted - but also a good example of counter conditioning.

[LikeTheShoes]

Mine hates the ocado van with the onion picture on it. He's weird. We don't walk along the road if we can help it.


(Probably not that helpful)

[AstrantiaMajpr]

Unfortunately we can’t get anywhere without encountering traffic.

[rightsaidfrederickII]

Does anyone have any tips for counterconditioning when
A) you can't avoid the type of vehicle because they're everywhere in your neighbourhood and you're reliant on public transport
B) he only reacts to that type of vehicle when the engine is on
C) you can't control the distance between him and the stimulus because they all zip along the road
D) you don't know anyone who owns a vehicle of that type to practice with

I'm trying to feed him treats from when it comes into view to when it goes past (many treats per walk!) and while we seem to be making progress it's two steps forward one step back and he still lunges every time, it's just that the barking and snapping is reduced a bit

[thirtyplusone]

Hello. It’s quite likely that your dog doesn’t like Diesel engines, not the look of those vehicles though he may now associate the sight of them too. Apparently to do with the vibrations they give off.

Our lab was the same but has much improved, still hates a bin lorry.

My tactic is to stop and sit when one is approaching, treat and reassurance when it passes. Lots of good girls etc.

We recently changed from a diesel to a petrol car and now she’s a dream traveler, before she was quite upset in car journeys.

[thirtyplusone]

I also go down to her level when she’s sitting but typical lab, she just loves a hug. I can’t begin to tell you the improvement though, I was scared to walk her down the street before.