Satisfying prey drive is one of the most enjoyable things a dog can do. That prey drive is a sequence of behaviors: First, your dog looks around and checks out today’s smells. What’s out there that might be good to eat? Right there, the predatory sequence has begun. Your dog catches a sight or scent and orients toward it - then goes still: watching, scenting, taking in information about the prey. Your dog stalks it, and then bursts into a rush and a pounce. Grabbing the prey, your dog bites it hard enough to kill it, tosses it around, and rips it up. And then your dog eats it, or stashes it for future meals.
Centuries of breeding has not only created unique breeds, it has left some dogs with incomplete predatory behaviors. The result can be a dog who kills or injures a dozen chickens without eating even one.
Learning to manage your dog's prey drive is necessary, not only to prevent undesirable scenarios like the one described above, but also because a dog whose prey drive is engaged and channeled in an acceptable way will have a much easier time getting along with humans and other dogs.
This class - the first of two parts on managing undesirable prey drive - has two goals. First, we will work to create a strong recall that will allow you to interrupt your dog in the middle of a predatory-type chase. This will create a dog who will think first, ask questions second, and only move when cued. And second, we will introduce activities for you and your dog that will satisfy the parts of the prey sequence that your dog loves the most.
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Syllabus
Dog, the Predator Week 1 - Attention What is attention? Start, Change, Stop Mimicry Creating Attention
Week 2 – Engagement Learn To Be Your Dog's Reward Chase Me Chase Food Chasing Patterns
Week 3 Play Why Animals Play Play as Reinforcement I’m Dangerous Chase My Hands Push A War You Can’t Catch Me
Week 4 – Recall Recall from Predatory Distractions Release To Pressure Whistlin’ Dixie Drive It In It's Around Your Leg
Week 5 – Arousal Predatory Behavior Game On/Game Off Are You A Gambler I really don’t want to do that Change Your Mind
Week 6 – Distractions Counting Threads Can I Steal It Still Dog Moving Dog Ghost Walk
Prerequisites and Equipment
There are no prerequisites for this class.
Mostly what you will need for this class are distractions. These distractions should be in the form of moving objects as much as possible. Movement triggers the chase. Radio controlled cars or other toys, children’s toys that move and talk and giggle, perpetual motion balls and of course things to throw to simulate birds. I’ve used ZuZu pets, baby toys that make noise and shoot out balls or other items, screaming flying monkeys and dogs that walk and make noise.
A whistle of some sort is need for week 4 recalls, food is needed for various games but especially week 2, a long lead of at least 30 feet, and various toys for games in weeks 1 and 3. Your choice whether to use food or toys as rewards/reinforcement, but mostly the games themselves provide the reinforcement.
