How to train a dog with high prey drive
A dog who never stops chasing squirrels or other small critters can cause annoyance to the person holding the leash, or even a potential safety risk if the dog is a strong puller. I’m always amazed walking around downtown Toronto just how many squirrels there are constantly zipping around, and I feel for dog guardians who struggle with their squirrel-chasing dogs!
Not all dogs react to small moving animals the same way, whether it’s a squirrel, cat, or bird. Some dogs act as though they couldn’t care less, while others behave in ways that can seem alarming: stalking, chasing, grabbing, even biting and eating!
First, the good news: Predatory behaviour in dogs is not a sign of a dog who will be aggressive to people. Very simply, it’s feeding behaviour - your dog is hardwired to go after critters to eat them, even if he doesn’t actually catch and kill them. It’s totally normal and natural, even if it can look over the top (and kind of gross/upsetting if your dog actually kills stuff)!
It’s even more natural if you have a breed whose original purpose was one or more of the behaviours in the predatory sequence: searching, stalking, chasing, grabbing, killing, dissecting, and eating. Terriers, for example, were originally bred to hunt small mammals, while the original function of border collies was to stalk and herd sheep.
It’s unrealistic to expect such baked-in behaviours to get “trained out,” and also kind of unfair when you think about it. We bred dogs to love performing these behaviours, and now we’re telling them not to do it? Imagine if someone tried to ban you from doing your favourite activity, like going for runs or playing video games!
That’s why, rather than punish predatory behaviour in dogs, it’s better to meet their needs and channel their behaviour into healthy, “legal” outlets. Get creative and think of toys or activities that would satisfy their urge to stalk, chase, grab, and kill “prey” (remembering the concepts of saturation and deprivation).
Some good activities for your high prey drive dog:
Flirt poles: These are basically those wand toys cats love, but larger and for dogs. I made my own out of a PVC pipe from the hardware store, a length of rope, and a fuzzy toy resembling a squirrel. Check out this flirt pole DIY tutorial.
Lotus ball: A treat dispensing toy that your dog gets to dissect! They’re designed to be pulled apart, mimicking the pulling apart of an animal carcass. Their purpose sounds gross, but their designs can be very cute (like this fruit-shaped toy).
Fetch/frisbee/flyball: There’s been some debate around these activities recently - some are worried they lead to compulsive behaviour in dogs. Fetch, or any activity where your dog chases something, can have enormous benefits - here’s a good Wild at Heart podcast episode on the topic.
Barn hunt: This sport involves dogs hunting for live rats in a course made of straw bales - but don’t worry, the rats don’t get hurt or killed! The domesticated rats are safely enclosed in plastic tubes, and there are rules about their proper treatment and handling. Your dog can have a ball engaging in natural hunting behaviours and even win titles!
The best time to do these activities is before you take your dog for a walk! He’ll have already engaged in predatory behaviours, and will be less likely to on walks.
I’m also a big fan of predation substitute training, a force-free training program that teaches dogs and their humans to “hunt together” through various games and activities. Again, it’s all about satisfying your dog’s needs, not suppressing them!
Need more help with your dog’s predatory behaviour on walks? Check out my private training options.
