You’re halfway through what was supposed to be a relaxing walk.
Then your dog sees a squirrel.
Everything else appears to cease to exist.
Suddenly they’re pulling towards it, staring at it or attempting to chase it – and all the attention you had moments earlier has disappeared.
Cats, squirrels, birds and other small animals can provoke incredibly strong reactions in some dogs.
One reason for this can be prey drive.
But what does that actually mean, and why does it seem so much stronger in some dogs than others?
What Is Prey Drive?
Prey drive is a term used to describe instinctive behaviours associated with detecting, pursuing and potentially catching prey.
Dogs are domesticated animals, but that doesn’t mean all of their natural instincts have disappeared.
Different dogs can display those instincts to very different degrees.
For one dog, a squirrel running across the park barely warrants a second glance.
For another, it becomes the only thing in the world that matters.
That’s one of the reasons comparing your dog with somebody else’s isn’t always particularly helpful.
What Are The Stages Of The Predatory Sequence?
When we talk about prey drive, it can be useful to understand that predatory behaviour isn’t necessarily one single action.
There is a sequence of behaviours that can include orienting towards an animal, watching or stalking it, chasing, grabbing or biting, killing and dissecting.
Importantly, seeing the earlier parts of that sequence doesn’t automatically mean a dog will progress through all of the later stages.
Some dogs may become intensely focused on a squirrel, stalk it and chase if given the opportunity, but never progress beyond that. Other dogs may display more of the predatory sequence.
This is another reason why I don’t think it’s helpful to make assumptions about an individual dog simply because they chase wildlife.
What is useful is recognising when that sequence is beginning.
An owner may notice their dog’s attention suddenly fix on another animal. Their body language may change. They may begin watching or stalking before the chase itself starts.
Recognising those earlier stages matters because there may still be an opportunity to intervene before the dog moves into a full chase. Once the chase has started and the dog is highly focused on the animal, regaining their attention can become considerably more difficult.
That’s particularly relevant with dogs that regularly encounter squirrels, cats, birds and other wildlife on walks.
Understanding what happens before the chase can tell us considerably more than simply focusing on the chase itself.
Why Does My Dog Chase Everything That Moves?
Movement itself can be incredibly stimulating for some dogs.
A squirrel suddenly darting across a path, a bird taking off or a cat running away can trigger a reaction extremely quickly.
By the time the owner has registered what’s happening, the dog may already be completely focused on the animal.
Some dogs will show similar behaviour towards other moving things too.
The important point is that this isn’t necessarily your dog deciding to ignore you or deliberately behaving badly.
There may be a powerful instinctive element behind what you’re seeing.
Do Some Dog Breeds Have A Stronger Prey Drive?
Breed and breeding history can certainly be relevant.
Different breeds have been selectively bred over generations for different purposes, and those inherited tendencies can influence behaviour.
But breed isn’t the whole answer.
Two dogs of the same breed can behave very differently.
Their individual temperament, previous experiences, environment and training can all contribute to what you see when you’re out walking.
I’ve worked with enough dogs over the years to know that making assumptions based purely on breed can be misleading.
The dog in front of you is ultimately the dog that needs to be understood.
Why Does My Dog Ignore Me When They See A Squirrel?
From the owner’s perspective, this can be particularly frustrating.
Your dog knows you. They may respond perfectly well in other situations. Then a squirrel appears and it’s as though somebody has flicked a switch.
That’s a useful clue in itself.
Behaviour isn’t simply about whether a dog “knows” something. The environment and level of stimulation they’re experiencing matter too.
The question therefore isn’t necessarily:
“Why has my dog forgotten everything I’ve taught them?”
It’s more useful to ask:
“What’s happening in this particular situation that makes their behaviour change so dramatically?”
Those are two quite different questions.
Does Chasing Mean My Dog Is Aggressive?
Not automatically.
Owners sometimes become worried that a dog showing intense interest in another animal must be aggressive.
Prey-driven behaviour and aggression aren’t necessarily the same thing.
Similarly, a dog displaying the earlier stages of the predatory sequence doesn’t necessarily mean they will progress to killing another animal. Some dogs will move further through that sequence than others, which is why understanding the individual dog matters.
Chasing can, however, create very real safety concerns – for your dog, other animals and potentially people around you.
That’s particularly true in busy London parks and streets, where a dog suddenly pursuing something can very quickly put themselves in danger.
It’s therefore worth understanding rather than simply hoping they’ll eventually stop doing it.
Can Prey Drive Be Changed?
This is where individual assessment becomes important.
There isn’t a single answer that applies to every dog displaying chasing behaviour.
Before deciding how to approach it, I want to understand the dog, the circumstances in which it occurs, how intense the behaviour is and what else is happening around it.
The stage at which an owner first notices the behaviour can also be important. A dog that has just orientated towards another animal is in a very different state from one already committed to a chase.
That’s very different from simply finding a generic “stop your dog chasing squirrels” technique online.
The behaviour you see is the starting point.
Understanding what’s driving it comes next.
Only then can an appropriate training plan be developed.
Speak To Me About Your Dog
I’ve worked with dogs displaying strong prey-driven and chasing behaviours, and every case brings its own circumstances.
During my free 15-minute consultation, we can talk about what your dog is doing, when it happens and how it’s affecting your walks. I can talk around some of the possible reasons for the behaviour and explain my experience of working with similar cases.
I won’t diagnose your dog or provide a training plan during that call.
If it sounds like something I can help with, I’ll explain how many sessions I recommend so that I can properly assess the behaviour and support you in implementing an appropriate plan.
If every squirrel currently has the ability to make you completely irrelevant to your dog, book a free 15-minute consultation and let’s have a chat.