Managing Prey Drive and the Predatory Motor Sequence
Training: Positive reinforcement training can help redirect prey drive into more appropriate behaviors. Rewarding your dog for responding to cues can be effective in breaking their fixation on a target. Common cues such as nudge, find it, and come, can be useful. Visit the Puppy Program Volunteer Portal to learn about our full list of cues.
Supervision: Always supervise your dog when they are outside to ensure they do not chase or harm wildlife, and keep them on a leash or in a securely fenced area. If a dog displays high prey drive, they may need to be kept leashed even in a fenced location.
Exercise: Providing regular physical exercise and mental stimulation can help reduce a dog's pent-up energy and redirect their prey drive. Long walks, interactive toys, and puzzles can be beneficial. Pro Tip: skip the food bowl and feed meals from a puzzle toy, snuffle mat, or kibble scattered under a towel.
Channeling Instincts: Engage your dog in activities that channel their prey drive constructively and provide an outlet for their energy. Fetch and tug are beneficial games. Searching games such as hide & seek are also helpful (the dog can find hidden kibble, or even you)!
It is important that our program dogs are not allowed to repeat and practice predatory behaviors. Contact Puppy Program if the program dog in your care is exhibiting heightened prey drive.
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