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Management on walks
– consider going to a quiet road where there is less traffic. Example, an road alley works good, or residential roads where speed limit is 15mph, and going in the afternoon can be a good strategy.
– before going on walks, you can give some mental work for the dog. Example sniffing game in the beginning, treats tossed out in the grass – find it.
– since you will be walking in 15mph road, you may well before be able to find the trigger before the dog. So while the car passes, toss treats on the floor and ask find it. Make sure the dog front end is away from the street view.
– if dog is toy motivated. Playing tug or squeak toy can be a good distraction while the car passes.
– all this management with you praising all along is so important. You acknowledging that what a great job the dog is doing is essential for management to work.
– I would say keep the walks short. Something like peaceful 15 min walk. And the rest of the energy can be spent out in the home or backyard or mental games.
– and also emotional health is important. If on one particular day the dog had too much to see and absorb from his environment. May be, some dog barking through the fence, he met some people, or there were 3 Amazon deliveries that morning, or that day was the garbage takeout day. Then going out for a walk will only fill his emotional bucket more and chances of lunging or barking at cars. Give some time to unload and revive.
just chill in the house, play your favorite game or training or put on through the dog’s ear and give a good massage.