Prey Drive
Some dogs live for the thrill of the chase, others want to catch and kill their target.
Prey drive isn’t always a bad thing. We can use prey drive to establish a solid foundation in sport work, police work, protection and hunting. But here is the thing, not every dog and family benefit from prey drive and it can become a real problem in multi pet households with other small animals or even families who like to hike and explore. Prey drive can manifest in many ways, but the most common are searching, stalking, chasing, nipping and biting to kill. Depending on the breed of your dog, they can show one, some or all of these. It is important to know your breed. Often prey drive is mistaken for aggression because they can look similar. The key differences are behaviors that are driven by emotions, like fear or behaviors that are driven by your dog’s natural instincts.
The good news.. Prey drive can be managed and a happy and healthy environment can be achieved.
Our top tips to best manage prey drive are best achieved through different training:
Recall: while this skill is an important part in preventing bad things from happening, it doesn’t entirely solve the problem alone. So this skill is a foundation, but we should pair it with some of our other tips.
Channel the behavior: whether it’s chasing a frisbee, a ball or enrolling in sporting events geared toward your dogs passion, allowing your dog to use their instincts in a positive and controlled way is essential. We always say, give your dog a job or they will create their own… and it may not be one you want them to have.
Impulse control: promote calm behaviors and good manners in the face of chaos. Adding skills like the place command or others can provide the space to relax, stay calm, and think before acting.
Providing safe places: this is important for multi pet households. Giving everyone their own safe space to be can make a huge difference. This isn’t fool proof but it can definitely help set boundaries and expectations.
If you are frustrated by your dog’s desire to chase, lunge, bark, nip and herd, YOU ARE NOT ALONE and we are here to help!
Be sure to contact us for expert advise and lessons tailored to the needs of you and your dog.
