Can Prey Drive in Dogs Be a Good Thing?

Prey drive also has a positive side. The term prey drive primarily refers to a dog's level of excitement or motivation to perform a task involving hunting-related behaviours 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.

It's also the reason herding dogs are good at herding livestock and why hunting dogs are good hunting companions. In a domestic setting, your dog's prey drive might make them more playful and active, and also might make them helpful in keeping down the unwanted rodent and pest population, depending on how their prey drive manifests.

Which Breeds Have a Strong Prey Drive?

Generally speaking, dogs bred to either hunt or to herd have the strongest prey drives. These include dog breeds in the herding group, such as Australian shepherds and border collies; terriers such as the Airedale and the bull terrier; hounds such as beagles and greyhounds; and sporting group breeds that include retrievers, spaniels and pointers.

Some working group breeds, such as Siberian huskies or boxers, although not specifically bred for hunting or herding, nevertheless possess a strong prey drive and may require close supervision around smaller pets.

Managing Your Dog's Prey Drive

While certain aspects of prey drive in dogs range from somewhat annoying to borderline out of control, most of the time a strong prey drive is relatively harmless. In these cases, to curb the annoying behaviours, engaging your dog in play that involves chasing, catching and retrieving, like playing fetch with their favorite tennis ball, can provide a healthy outlet for these instincts.

Involving your pooch in agility sports is another positive and fun outlet for your pup's prey drive. However, if your dog's prey drive leads them to engage in behaviours that compromise either their own safety or that of other animals, you may need to take additional steps to protect your dog and your neighbourhood. In addition to engaging your dog in sports and play, the dog training site Positively recommends the following:

• If possible, keep your dog confined to a fenced-in area of your garden. Otherwise, never allow your dog outside without a lead.
• Always use a lead when walking your dog in public areas.
• Only allow your dog to walk off-lead in areas where there are no dogs, cats or children present, and do so only after your dog learns to reliably come when you call.
• Never allow your high prey instinct dog to interact with children or other dogs or pets without close supervision. If you have child or dog visitors, it may be necessary to confine your dog to another room or keep on a lead even while inside.
• Be sure vaccinations are up to date and that you have relevant documentation to prove it. If your dog is bitten by a critter they tried to chase, that will be one less thing you'll need to worry about.

While we often like to think of our dogs as children on four legs, the fact remains that they possess animal instincts that can make them unpredictable. While your dog's prey drive has a lot of positive aspects, you should learn how to manage it as early as possible for their happiness and safety.