Often, it becomes a problem for owners whose dogs become aggressive, […] In this section I will endeavour to explain what the prey drive instinct is, where it comes from and what it could mean for you and how it might influence your choice of dog… What Is a Prey Chase Drive? Gameness, Aggression, and Prey Drive in Dogs by Paul Skelton. They tend to go after moving objects, whether they’re birds, critters, or leaves blowing … All dogs have prey drive, to varying degrees. The term is even used by professional dog handlers in military and law enforcement to describe their dogs’ motivation to do their job well. When a dog is in defense drive its because it perceives something as a threat and displays it by barking and biting. These sports also teach dogs to listen to people even when in chase or prey mode. Prey chase drive, or predatory chase drive, is an overwhelming desire to chase things, such as other dogs, small furry animals, cars, bikes, scooters, etc. Daily exercise such as extended walks can do wonders to calm an energetic dog. In dog training, prey drive can be used as a performative advantage because dogs with strong prey drive are also willing to pursue moving objects such as toys, which can then be used to encourage certain kinds of behavior, such as that of greyhound racing or the speed required in dog agility. Some dogs love to run, others like to retrieve, and some can’t stop themselves from chasing anything that moves! Some people associate their dog’s urge to chase squirrels or tires to prey drive, while others blame their dog’s urge to bolt in un-fenced areas on prey drive. Flyball, agility and treibball provide high drive dogs with a physical outlet that allows them to indulge in their favorite pastime but in a controlled way. ), and the majority of dogs have at least some. The ultimate goal of a dog displaying defensive drive is to push the threat back or away. Some dogs with high prey drive excel at sports where they can run and chase in a positive environment. Thus, the level of prey drive varies between breed groups – even between breeds. It’s at the core of how a dog interacts with the world. Sports dogs have high prey drives. Success depends largely on the owner, not the dog. Many natural drives of dogs, including prey drive, have been modified by selective breeding practices. Prey drive is the desire to give chase to things (other dogs, rabbits, scooters, cars, etc. The movement of the “prey” triggers the dog to chase, similar to a reflex, and is a part of normal dog behavior. Those pups most likely have a high prey drive. Dogs with strong prey drive are more likely to follow a moving object, and this can be useful when training a dog for agility work. DEFENSE DRIVE refers to a dogs instinct to defend itself and its pack. It’s a trait that makes many dogs successful in the world of canine sports. THE CANINE PREY DRIVE INSTINCT. To most people in the dog world, the term “prey drive” refers to a dog’s eagerness or desire to work hard, especially if the work involves anything related to chasing and capturing prey. Your dog’s Prey Drive is the magic key to controlling your dog’s behavior. The absence of warning signs plus the fact that killing is the natural end point for the behavior makes it dangerous for target animals and prey facsimiles. When you learn how to work with your dog’s prey drive, you will see a huge shift in your dog’s behavior and emotional state. Dogs with high drive generally also have high prey or chase instincts, so lots of play with balls, Kong toys, Frisbees, and other active toys can use up energy.