You Can’t Remove Your Dog’s Prey Drive

The domestication of dogs did not eliminate their need to hunt, but rather enhanced specific parts of the predatory sequence in different breeds. 

For thousands of years a dog's purpose in society was to be completely, unwaveringly dedicated to a specific role. Herding dogs needed to work long days stalking and chasing with precision and stamina. Hounds needed to cover long distances in any terrain while glued to a scent. Bulldogs needed to have tenacity and bravery to keep livestock five times their size under control. 

We spend hundreds of years specializing these breeds and pushing them to the extreme to meet our needs. 

And now we want it to all stop so they can be house pets. But that’s just not how genetics works. 

If you want your dog to be the best version of themselves you need to honor the expectations our ancestors hardwired into our dogs. And no, a long run isn’t going to meet those expectations. Dogs need access to parts of the predatory sequence that they enjoy in order to have their basic needs met.

Predatory Sequence

Track—>Stalk—> Chase—>Fight—>Possess—>Dissect—> Consume

Below are some examples of different ways you can help your dog tap into the predatory sequence and fulfill their innate needs.

Tracking

An opportunity for your dog to use their nose to find something or follow a scent of interest.

Examples:

-Take your dog to an area they can follow animal trails.

-Set up a searching game in the house by hiding food or a toy.

-Take a nose work, tracking, barn hunt, or happy ratters class.

Stalking/Chasing

An opportunity for your dog to control the movement or an object or pursue that object.

Examples:

- Play with a flirt pole or toy on a string.

-Set up a bird feeder in your yard.

-Play with a herding ball or soccer ball.

-Teach your dog that they can stalk and chase animals on cue. Tip: Only do this if an object will stop your dog from accessing the animal like a tree, fence, or wall. Don’t cue your dog if the leash is the only thing stopping them.

Fight/Possess

An opportunity for your dog to overcome struggle in order to gain possession of an item.

Examples:

-Play tug with your dog.

-Let your dog win and play keep away during a game of tug.

-Get your dog a spring pole or tether tug.

Tip: These games work best if they have a clear start and end cue so the dog understands when the game is done.

Dissect/Consume

An opportunity for your dog to rip, shred, and in some cases consume an item.

Examples:

-Give your dog cardboard and paper to shred.

-Give your dog opportunities to shred sticks.

-Give your dog a lettuce or cabbage to shred.