How can I tame my dog's prey drive? 1) Become aware of your dog's prey drive. . 2) Redirect your dog's attention away from the prey. . 3) Use positive reinforcement. . 4) Be sure not to encourage the prey drive. . 5) Train your dog's recall. . 6) Encourage off-leash walking and other healthy activities.
Why does my dog have a high prey drive?
The term prey drive primarily refers to a dog's level of excitement or motivation to perform a task involving hunting-related behaviors or going after an object, says The Bark. This drive can be immensely useful in training dogs for agility or for military and police K-9 jobs.
Can you train the prey instinct out of a dog?
Training exercises are an excellent way of how to tame prey drive in a dog, and there are several exercises you can do with your dog at home, with the most important being establishing control over your dog when they are off leash.
How do I redirect a prey driven dog?
Find activities where you can challenge this sense as often as you can, such as hiding treats and playing hide-and-seek, using a treat ball or toy that encourages the dog to use her mind, or try participating in a search-and-rescue group. Prey drive is almost always a rehabilitation case that will take some time.
How do I know if my dog has a high prey drive?
This is a fairly common behaviour to witness. A dog that loves to play fetch, chase squirrels or cats has a strong prey drive. A dog that lifts its head to watch a ball roll by does not have a big prey drive.
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