I had a dog years ago that acted similar. She was also a German Shepherd. I bought her at age 6 months old and she had never been socialized. In fact, she raised with her siblings.. 3 of whom were still with her.
So, I walked her and socialized her. She also was afraid of cars and would run.. hit the end of the leash scared.
The way I handled it was first and foremost to be sure the leash was sturdy and her martingale collar was sturdy and not something she could slip. When a car came and she ran I hung on and stopped and then kept walking. Immediately. I said nothing. I did not comfort her. I did not look at her. I simply walked on, unconcerned and like "no big deal."
Because I was confident in my actions and did nothing at all to buy into her worry.. no treats, no words, no reaction she soon figured out there was nothing to fear. She fairly quickly ceased having a fear reaction at all to cars going by.
Our walks were on two lane paved country roads with not much shoulder. Cars went by at a fairly good clip and were pretty close.
So, I walked her and socialized her. She also was afraid of cars and would run.. hit the end of the leash scared.
The way I handled it was first and foremost to be sure the leash was sturdy and her martingale collar was sturdy and not something she could slip. When a car came and she ran I hung on and stopped and then kept walking. Immediately. I said nothing. I did not comfort her. I did not look at her. I simply walked on, unconcerned and like "no big deal."
Because I was confident in my actions and did nothing at all to buy into her worry.. no treats, no words, no reaction she soon figured out there was nothing to fear. She fairly quickly ceased having a fear reaction at all to cars going by.
Our walks were on two lane paved country roads with not much shoulder. Cars went by at a fairly good clip and were pretty close.