I still see dogs whizzing around our local parks, off the lead and in hot pursuit of some small furry- usually a squirrel. At this time of year, the squirrels are slowing down and are even more enticing. Other dogs may not be chasing but they are immovably fixated on the other animal. Whether chasing or fixated, all are impervious to the owner’s direction – that is if the owner is anywhere to be seen, and mostly they are not.
A proportion of dog owners feel this is excellent pet exercise and a great way to let off steam. Well, I must disagree. Once the genie called prey drive is let loose around other animals it is very difficult to put back in the bottle. Allowed to practise and refine this highly instinctive hunting behaviour you will have a very frustrated dog with zero recall, looking to hunt and pursue other animals at every opportunity, and prey may include cats, other small pets, and occasionally even small dogs.
Mankind has channelled the dog’s hunting and chasing instincts for aeons. Working Spaniels and Labradors are still taught a highly controlled version of prey drive where they flush and retrieve game to hand but with a soft mouth. Other dog types are developed to hunt game, including deer; we even bet on lure-chasing dogs. Sheep and cattle dog breeds are trained in attenuated versions of hunting behaviour, like herding and droving. In each instance, canine predatory instinct is harnessed and channelled- not given free rein. Exceptions to this are terriers- developed to hunt and kill, independent of owner direction. These may require extra effort in prey drive training.
Prey drive is different to any other type of apparently aggressive behaviour and is mediated by a different part of the brain. It is the hardwired instinct to stalk, pursue and kill other animals, ultimately for food. These behaviours are common to all predatory species for which almost nothing compares to the thrill of the chase. Why encourage our domesticated companion predator to have the freedom to practice and revert? As with all instincts, certain responses are triggered by the environment, early. Quick movements will prompt most young dogs and cats to pursue and capture anything from tumbling leaves to flies. Squealing noises can also attract instant interest and even fixation. Unharnessed, nature will take its course.
Responsible dog owners recognise that hunting other animals is inappropriate for the city environment. Your dog may never catch the squirrel, but they are refining and augmenting the desire to try with each repetition and this leads to frustration. Someone’s pet Chihuahua or puppy may look enticing to a frustrated dog in prey drive; species recognition failing in the heat of the moment.
Ideally, start to channel your pup’s predatory instincts from day one. Forget freedom of expression, think controlled expression. Train them to chase and retrieve toys and other objects you choose. Control and satisfy that hunting appetite by teaching ‘find’ and tracking games. Many dogs will want to rip and destroy. Teach tuggy with very clear rules, provide chew and destruction toys. Teach a solid ‘leave’ and train your dog to listen to you anytime, anywhere. Dogs are not wolves; they do not need to hunt and chase other animals to survive. A responsible owner will recognise the need to harness those wolf-like instincts in ways that are socially acceptable. Do not let your dog chase squirrels as a substitute for interactive training, exercise, and play.