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First of all, let's clarify prey-drive versus chase drive. A prey driven dog
will chase with a great deal of focus on the object it is pursuing and a
definite goal of attaining access to its target. A chase driven dog will
also chase but usually not with the same intensity or absolute drive to
reach its target as the end goal. Many of you have done chase games with
both types of dogs. The prey driven dog will drive as hard as it can until
it reaches you and when it does you or your toy usually gets hit like a ton
of bricks. The chase driven dog can be somewhat frustrating as it will chase
you, but not with the drive or intense targeting behavior of the prey driven
dog. This dog will often pursue the handler in chase games, but will run on
by and not follow through to actually catch the handler. The chase driven
dog usually does not exhibit the sudden increased burst of speed that a prey
driven dog will when the handler increases their speed. Unfortunately,
either tendency can lead to dog chasing and/or aggression (more so in the
prey driven dog). |
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Prey drive is one of the most widely misunderstood aspects of the canine
personality. Prey drive is NOT the same as aggression. This
has been demonstrated scientifically using Electrical Stimulation of the
Brain (ESB) studies. The part of the brain that controls predatory behavior
is completely separate from the part of the brain that controls aggressive
behavior. Predatory behaviors are fun for animals. Aggressive
behaviors are not. This was also demonstrated with ESB studies.
When given the choice, animals will push the button to stimulate the
predatory part of their brain. When given the choice, animals will NOT push
the button to stimulate the aggressive part of their brain. That tells us
that predatory behaviors are enjoyable while aggressive behaviors are not.
ESB studies also show that all animals have a predatory part of
their brain. In non-predatory animals, like rats, this part of
their brain is never triggered (until they did it in a lab with ESB).
Dogs are predators as well as scavengers, so that part of
their brain does get triggered. A dog who chases and kills prey is doing
what normal dogs do. Dogs and cats alike do not always kill for
food. Chasing and killing prey are vestigial wolf behaviors. It's not
necessary for the domestic dog's survival but lingers from their genetic
roots, rather like our appendix! However, as anyone who has had a ruptured
appendix knows, this vestigial behavior can cause serious problems.
When we make the decision to bring a predatory animal into our
lives, we must accept that prey drive is part of who they are. When prey
drive crosses the line from normal dog behavior to serious problem is when
the dog is out of control. Dogs who escape their own fences and
roam free in the neighborhood killing cats and sometimes even other dogs are
a menace to society. Society holds dogs to a different standard than every
other predatory animal. It is our responsibility as dog owners to be aware
of that and protect our dogs. They could be labeled a dangerous or vicious
animal for killing a cat, and it does not matter how irrational that is. For
your dog's safety and for your personal liability (you could be sued, fined,
or even jailed), make sure your dog is under control.
Many people believe that dogs who kill cats will also kill children. This is
a false assumption. Normal healthy pet dogs do not kill children and know
the difference between a cat and a child. However, several dogs together who
have not been fully raised in a domestic home environment can kill large
prey such as sheep, goats, and cattle, and even children. Wolves are able to
kill prey much larger than themselves because they hunt in packs. When a
group of dogs get together, they can emulate this wolf behavior.
Prey drive can also be a problem when you take your dog for a walk on leash,
especially if you have a large dog. Dogs have approximately as much strength
as a person 3 times their size. So, if you have an 80 pound dog and you are
not a 240+ pound person, you will not be able to control the dog with
strength alone. When a high prey drive dog spots a prey animal, something
switches in their brain and all they are focused on is that prey. If they
decide to take off for the chase, you could have your shoulder wrenched,
fall on your face, lose your dog completely as he jerks the leash out of
your hand, or all of the above! It is especially important with the high
prey drive dog to have voice control of him. |
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Prey drive in your German shepherd dog. |
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