Solving Prey Drive: Try THIS if Your Dog Chases Animals

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

If you've enjoyed this video please like, comment & share 🙂 It really helps! 🙋‍♀️COMPLETE DOG TRAINING SOLUTIONS: •❓🤨 STRUGGLING WITH LEASH TRAINING? 👇 ✅ 6 Weeks to Dream Walks: Step-By-Step Leash Training Program: e37240-61.myshopify.com/products/6-weeks-to-dream-walks-step-by-step-leash-training-program •❓🐿️ STRUGGLING WITH YOUR DOG CHASING ANIMALS (indoors or outdoors)?👇 ✅ Dog Prey Drive: How to STOP Animal Chasing: e37240-61.myshopify.com/products/dog-prey-drive-how-to-stop-animal-chasing-with-force-free-methods ►👀 WATCH NEXT: ✔️ PREY DRIVE- complete tutorial! Watch it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2inaqd7aZWrpac ✔️ How to train "Leave It: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q57XYZ18brJ7m6s ► 🗣️ STAY CONNECTED: • Instagram (my most active platform): instagram.com/happyhounds_dogtraining/ • Facebook: facebook.com/HappyHoundsDogTraining.ca • Blog: happyhoundsdogtraining.ca/blog/ • Email list: view.flodesk.com/pages/61898eeb3a0e5bcf6f5411ec ►❤️ FAVOURITE DOG GEAR: ➡️ *ALL* my favourite dog items & discount codes: happyhoundsdogtraining.ca/shop 🧸 Amazing faux & real fur toys: www.tug-e-nuff.co.uk/?ref=happyhoundsdogtraining 🐕‍🦺 My favourite harness & dog gear: rockymountaindog.ca/?ref=ka8S8Xue 🦴 My favourite treat bag: amzn.to/3UUGF60 🦮 Beautiful custom biothane leashes (I use the hands-free version): www.hightailhikes.com?aff=212 Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with free content.

[@boulevardiere1623]

Thank you so much for pointing out the book on predation substitute training! I've watched dozens of videos on the subject, and no one else has mentioned it. It's promising just to know that there is an alternative (and force-free) method out there to add to the toolbox, instead of the usual options: "carry a whole roasted chicken in your purse so your dog won't ever look away from you" vs. "turn the e-collar up to 40."

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

I'm glad it was helpful! I also want to add I laughed SO hard at your purse full of chicken vs cranked up shock collar comment 😂 It's such a hilarious & brilliant summary of both ends of the dog training spectrum 😂

[@meganperez974]

My dog loves chasing chipmunks! I will try some of your tips and hope his leave it and recall improve - but it won’t be easy

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

It definitely takes work, but it's SO worth it! I rarely have to even use "leave it" anymore... ignoring critters has just become her default. Finally hahaha

[@jenniferwhiten1884]

Besides the awesome content - the music in the beginning of your videos is perfection 😂🐶

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Thanks so much! 🥰

[@jessicaadelman2667]

Excellent video! My reactive rescue dog is progressing very well with your tips. I would like to know how to reward a dog with their favorite toy in situations where treats aren't an option? The dog park doesn't allow food or treats to be brought in. Also, my dog has food reactivity and is on an extremely limited prescription diet, and there's not really anything high value on her "safe foods" list until we do more vet testing and food trials. (I'm using 2 brands of prescription kibble: 1 for meals, and the more fragrant and expensive brand for training.) She loves playing with lots of kinds of dog toys, but just replacing the "give her a treat" step with giving her a toy seems to confuse her.

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Typically when using the toy as the reward Id “test it” away from training to make sure they’re super excited by it. For example, if it’s a fur chaser are they highly interested in chasing it? Just to make sure it is indeed fun and rewarding to them. Then during actual training I sub it in where the treat reward would go… so if normally Id say “leave it” then “yes” and offer a treat as they listened, playing either the toy is the replacement. Depending on whether the dog is more motivated by chase, tug, etc I’d excitedly offer that style play immediately after saying yes. I also will then end the play with a treat reward to reset things for the next round.

[@eaglecaulhealing2711]

I would love to see a video of how to make my 4 month old AmStaff how to leave it please ❤️

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

That's a fantastic age to teach the skill 😊 I'll link the tutorials below 1) Start with this one 👉 How to Train Your Dog to LEAVE IT: Complete Beginner's Guide kzbin.info/www/bejne/q57XYZ18brJ7m6s 2) Then work on this advanced version 👉 How to Train Your Dog to Leave It & STOP Scavenging on Walks kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2K4p5eCaZJmeJo

[@keitho6974]

Thanks for the tips. My wife and I got a pitty mix from the edmonton humane society recently and we have a cat. She is just over a year and is pretty good mannered but she is still getting used to the cat. It has also been awhile since I have owned a dog(same breed, same situation) so everything helps. She also likes to chase moving garbage bags in the wind, but she is coming along. I subscribed to your channel and look forward to watching your videos.😊

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Welcome to the channel & congrats about your new dog! ☺️ Your timing for finding the channel is impeccable: the next video I’m posting is a much more in-depth prey drive tutorial video! It should help even more 😊 If you haven’t watched it yet, I’d suggest this video next: How to Train Your Dog to Stop Eating Things off the Ground (Advanced Leave It) kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2K4p5eCaZJmeJo. A reliable “leave it” cue on walks is a required skill for the prey drive training!

[@keitho6974]

@@happyhoundsdogtraining awesome I look forward to both. Thanks again.

[@jemmawolf4150]

Thank you for this video. I am currently teaching my high prey drive golden doodle Saffie, the leave it command, following your other great video. I wondered if you could do a xideo on how you taught your mega cute dog how to play frisbee, all teaching attempts with Saffie has failed! Thank you

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Thanks, I'm so glad you found the videos helpful 😊 And yes, that's one I can make. Neirah would be very excited to film that hahaha

[@jemmawolf4150]

@@happyhoundsdogtraining thank you! I look forward to it!

[@DanDownunda8888]

I had a working line GSD from German and UK lines and her prey drive wasn't just high, it was hyper. Being a working line, and not a show line dog, her back legs were longer and extremely powerful. I cannot imagine ever being able to stop her from her pursuits. She'd hear ducks flying over before I did and she would be off in a split second, chasing to catch them when they landed in the man made lake. She'd launch herself into the lake after the ducks had landed and the ducks would just paddle around until she got a couple of feet away, then they would just fly 10 feet and she'd change direction to go after them. One day the ducks did that 5 or 6 times and I could see my dog slowly become lower and lower in the water. It wasn't until she almost drowned herself that she got out of the water. Fortunately the council finally put a mesh fence around the lake.

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

I'm glad they added a safety feature! ♥

[@wakefulwife]

I am really looking forward to your next prey drive video. I have owned drivey and reactive German Shepherds in the past and had various degrees of success in redirecting the behavior, probably due to inconsistency on my part. My beloved Teddy (Bernese collie mix) is an angel, he thinks squirrels and raccoons are friends and he will completely ignore my cat. We recently had a young female American Bull dog dumped at our rural farm in TX. She (Bonnie) is a snuggly bundle of love and Teddy adores her. She is very eager to please BUT her prey drive is off the charts!! It seems to be directed at squirrels and my cat!!! Absolutely not acceptable. If she is going to live with us and live on a farm where she has to use her brain, she is going to have to learn to make some better decisions. This video was immensely helpful and I look forward to your I depth prey drive video.

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

I'm so glad you liked it! I actually recently uploaded the much more in-depth tutorial 🙂 You can watch it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2inaqd7aZWrpac

[@maryannmelendez8095]

Can you refer me to the videos you spoke of for managing high prey drive dogs? Leave it and giving attention in the presence of prey?

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

For sure! These are the two you’ll want to check out: STOP Animal Chasing: Complete Dog Prey Drive Tutorial kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2inaqd7aZWrpac How to Train Your Dog to Leave It & STOP Scavenging on Walks kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2K4p5eCaZJmeJo

[@wriri]

Hello! For your last rule, my dog does really want to chase anything other than squirrels and cats. What can I do to find an outlet for his prey drive?

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Every dog is a bit different, so I'd suggest trying a bunch of different games/toys such as frisbee, flirt pole, or even a real fur toy. I used real fur toys a LOT when I was first training my dog because the scent & texture is extra exciting. I LOVE the sheepskin & rabbit fur chasers from Tug-e-nuff linked here: www.tug-e-nuff.co.uk/?ref=happyhoundsdogtraining. I asked the company for a discount code since I reccommed them so frequently. Using "HAPPYHOUNDSDOGTRAINING" gets you 10% off! I also created a more in-depth prey drive training video here if you want to learn the step-by-step training plan I use: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2inaqd7aZWrpac

[@megapixies]

I once took my young spaniel to a so called trainer, for a fee of course. In an open field with a fence to the next field where doggo spotted a bird in the distance, I said good boy ~ because he didn’t chase it, only for me to be reprimanded by the “trainer” for apparently rewarding the dog “for spotting the bird”! The spaniel understood perfectly, sadly the other human wasn’t as intelligent. Needless to say that was the first and last session and she had done herself out of further business with our GSD pup.

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Ughh. It’s frustrating when the “professional” gives poor advice. I strongly encourage for all behaviour modification whether that’s prey drive, reactivity, etc to reward your dog for noticing their trigger but acting in a way you like (like your dog did by not chasing!). I don’t want to distract the dog from a trigger forever… I want them to see it but behave in desirable ways!☺️

[@trillatrills3586]

I have large dog she's very strong. If I don't spot the squirrel or rabbit before her my shoulder almost pops out 😂. She's getting less reactive but sometimes she forgets all training and wants squirrel for dinner 😢

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Squirrel for dinner 😂 Lol! Neirah isn’t very large, but I can relate to that “I need to spot it first” feeling. I’m currently working on a much more in-depth prey drive tutorial video! I’m really, really hoping to have it released this Friday 🤞 I want to show how I built an eventual voluntary disengagement from prey without any cueing ☺️

[@AVEEGEELIK]

My dog loves sheep (border aussie mix). We train herding sheep once a week. Would you recommend sheep herding when we also train the prey drive behaviour with wild animals? Nearby we have a nature reserve with plenty of deer. Every time Flynn spots a deer we practice the exercises you mention in this video. Flynn only reacts whenever a deer pops up at a distance of less than 5 meters (they hide in the bushes). Or when a moped with a loud exhaust passes us, but that is a different story 🙂 Anyways, thanks for these videos, very helpful.

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Oh I love this question! I always like being honest, so first I want to add the caveat that I personally have not trained a dog to herd, but understand the premise. I would think that it could only help as a training adjunct! 🙂 When we dislike a behaviour (example chasing wild animals) most people try to think of how to quell it, but that's only one side. It's actually very beneficial to provide healthy outlets for that drive, especially in cued or controlled ways. For my dog, she loves chasing so we use the frisbee BUT she needs to bring it back and wait nicely before it "flies" again. If I'm using a flirt pole with a clients dog, they need to wait until they're "released" to chase it. Herding animals when asked to do so strikes me as the same: an outlet in a controlled manner. Also, for the exhaust noise reaction: I'm going to be uploading a video in the next few weeks where I worked on sound conditioning with a clients dog. In his case he'd react to the sound of dogs barking (run, lunge, bark back). I wanted to train total neutrality. You'd be conditioning a different noise, but I think you'll find it helpful!

[@JacquelineJax]

My dogs just killed two of my budgies who escaped their cage and I’m devastated although they have a strong leave it response it happened while we were all asleep. How can I train them to just leave the birds alone even when I’m not there. I’m now obsessed over my cage and constantly checking the door locks. I don’t want to hate my dogs, I’m working on forgiving them but I need to figure out how to make them better understand that these birds are our pack members.

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Oof, sorry that happened! What an upsetting incident. I do have a much more in-depth video about prey drive and how I change it (STOP Animal Chasing: Complete Dog Prey Drive Tutorial kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2inaqd7aZWrpac). However, if your dog is killing animals in your home & may have the opportunity to do it again, I’d also suggest getting an in-person trainer to help since it’s such a high risk situation!

[@nedkent5239]

South Dakota governor should have watched this before she shot her puppy! So gross!

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

I’m in Canada, so I suspect I heard less about it, but the things I read are so sad 😭 Unfortunately I doubt she would’ve been willing to put the time into training like this video calls for, but that puppy could’ve been rehomed to someone who was happy to love and train it properly ❤️

[@wilmaolausson8635]

But what do I do when my dog starts tracking an animal? Or she sees the animal before I do?

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Watch the linked full length prey drive tutorial for more info 😊 kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2inaqd7aZWrpac

[@doggydudekyle]

The dog can clearly not be trusted. Invest in a long line leash.

[@poeticrogue.]

I love dog training videos but my problem with my dog is that my dog is not food motivated or toy motivated she’s not motivated by anything expect chasing after whatever she wants to chase

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Do you find she's interested in treats or play somewhere less stimulating? (such as at home)

[@manuelcosta2115]

Please my 2year old German Shepherd has a lot of prey drive and wants to chase cars and spin in circle while I walk her what can I do thanks

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

I have an in-depth tutorial about prey drive and how I train it. You can watch it here: STOP Animal Chasing: Complete Dog Prey Drive Tutorial kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2inaqd7aZWrpac

[@beet4416]

My dog only chases if the prey is running and only if it's close (10-15 feet). If the prey is just sitting, she doesn't chase and moves on. How do you train that?

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Great timing 😂 I literally JUST posted a reel on Instagram today asking if people would be interested in a prey drive tutorial and showed my dog voluntarily disengaging from a running squirrel (instagram.com/reel/CybtPZ2ymaM/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== ) I’ll upload a video this month demonstrating how to work on this! 😊 I think video examples will help me explain it clearly.

[@timsanders33]

I think the reason i get frustrated by videos like these is a matter of different perceptions/experience. Have you ever worked on prey drive with a sight hound? Is it possible that what you consider 'intense' prey drive in a corgi would be minor in a sight hound? I've a dog that's been bred to hunt, not bred to herd. Her eyesight is tuned to detect movement. The right kind of movement is like a drug to her, she will go. You don't talk about reading your dogs body language to prevent the chase. So much is about management of the situation not the training of the dog. It's about being aware of what's around you and aware of what the dog is doing/ where their attention is. You also need to be realistic about the outcomes if your dog is chasing. If there is real danger to your dog or the animal that should be leashed. If my dog is going to chase a bird in the middle of a field there is no danger to my dog and very little dander to the bird, why not let her chase? However, if I'm walking next to a road she will be leashed. I know of she sees a cat move she will go. The cat might be in danger, the dog might be in danger and any motorist might also be in danger. The prey drive in my breed of dogs has been described as "they would pursue their prey through the fires of hell", has anyone ever written that about a corgi?

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

I’m not sure the value in getting frustrated when, as you say, things can be a matter of perception. The only standpoint I can create videos and speak from is my own. However yes, I would say my dog has some of the strongest prey drive I have ever encountered. I have worked with sight hounds in the past (for things such as chasing the household cats & chasing small critters on walks) and I found their prey drive much easier to harness than my own dogs. Breed accounts for a lot, but there will always be a spectrum still. While I agree with your standpoint about the outcome being important (chasing on a field versus near traffic) I think it depends on the dog. My dog has a history of killing the animals she has caught, so with her, I prefer to meet her predation needs in other manners. I also think if you’re going to let your dog chase in some situations and not in others it’s REALLY important to put the chase/stalk on cue at least. Your dog won’t understand what situations it’s ok or not, so I’d build in a version of “ok, go”. I mentioned it in this video, but if you missed it, I’d strongly encourage you to check out the book “Hunting Together” (amzn.to/3QyHY8u) for how to harness predatory chasing as an activity that you can do together.

[@TristinSmith-gt3ql]

Well you choose to watch videos you disagree with so are you getting frustrated with the videos or yourself for watching them

[@whitet-shirt9140]

You're funny, go look for other videos then, no need to be hysteria n wrote a crazy long paragraph to rant like the whole world owe you. This video suit my needs perfectly, and my dog is a toy poodle, size dont decide prey drive. U can make your own video too consider you hv so much opinions about your so called situation. Heck, dont even know why ur looking and clicking a video about training if you think situation is more important. So much mensplaining and MENtality here, annoying to see.

[@whitet-shirt9140]

Funny men thinking the whole world should revolve around him. So obnoxious, so rude. "Have anyone written that about corgi" 🙄 Yaya we all know you're very important, now go whine somewhere else like a kindergarten toddler. Have anyone tell you your opinion is imaginative and invalid whatsoever. Have anyone ask you where your ridiculous confidence came from.

[@CheekySneakson]

Her journey with her dog and her opinion..... Hope your rant made you feel better.

[@KK-111]

With a newly adopted 7 yr old LARGE Husky (he was in a shelter for almost 10 months) who pulls (and, of course has anxiety, high prey drive, questionable ability to interact with other dogs, etc, etc..) ....wondering if you have a favorite 'no pull harness'? :) I'm currently using a Sensation Harness, which worked great for my former Husky of 13 yrs, who was abotut 45 lbs. This dog is 70 lbs...As a 'petite' woman.. I am dealing with an entirely different situation here.. :/ (When he sees a rabbit on a walk, he almost pulls my arm out of the socket... its crazy.. :/) I need more control of him, but in a humane way, of course. THANK YOU!! :)

[@KK-111]

Sorry- just noticed that you have a list of recommended products, including harnesses! .. :)

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

No apologies needed! 😊 I do love/use the Rocky harness that I have linked in the caption. If you front clip it it can help with pulling! I'd also really suggest checking out this video on the method I use to solve animal chasing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2inaqd7aZWrpac. My own dog was a menace with small animals when she was younger haha.

[@KK-111]

@@happyhoundsdogtraining Thanks so much! :)

[@lizpark8847]

Slippers on feet, bobble hats on heads, rabbits, pheasants, squirrels, mice, birds, if it's furry or feathered my dig will chase it!

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

I forgot about slippers! My dog used to be obsessed with socked feet 😆

[@nadinevanderree7558]

How long did you need to train leave it in different settings with your dog before you could trust her off leash?

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

I didn't trust her at off leash parks (squirrels etc) until ~ 6 months old, and she didn't hike off leash until ~ 1 year (the addition of cliffs that she could chase something off of gave me anxiety 😂). I'm currently working on it, so within a few weeks I'm going to upload a WAY more comprehensive video showing exactly how I trained Neirah to eventually not chase animals without me needing to cue her at all 🙂

[@nadinevanderree7558]

@@happyhoundsdogtraining Great! Will definitely watch this ☺️

[@klutzkitten]

Me watching this after my dog has killed 3 animals in our yeard .... hes 7 months old.

[@happyhoundsdogtraining]

Oh noooo. What animals did your pup kill? If you haven't already, I'd check out the more in-depth prey drive tutorial I have: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2inaqd7aZWrpac