1. One of the signs of prey drive in dogs is their ability to hunt or search for their prey using their senses.
Some dogs may sniff the air to catch a scent, sniff the ground to follow a trail, or scan with their eyes to spot a movement. Does your dog do any of these things? If yes, then your dog may have a high prey drive. Answer this question to find out more:
2. One of the signs of prey drive in dogs is their tendency to eye their prey.
This is when they go completely still and stare intensely at their target. This behaviour is often seen in Border Collies, as they use it to help them control the movement of sheep. Does your dog do this? Answer this question to find out more:
3. One of the signs of prey drive in dogs is stalking their prey.
This is when they lower their body and their head and move slowly toward their target, trying not to scare it away. This behaviour can be seen in Setters and Pointers as they get closer to a hidden bird without startling it into the air. Some dogs may also stalk other animals or toys as if they were prey. Does your dog do this?
4. One of the signs of prey drive in dogs is their ability to chase their prey.
This is when they run toward their target and follow it if it moves away. The behaviour is common in most dogs and some dogs may chase other animals, toys, cars, or even people who are jogging or cycling, as if they were prey. Does your dog do this? If yes, then your dog may have a high prey drive. Answer this question to find out more:
5. One of the signs of prey drive in dogs is a tendency to grab-bite their prey
This is when they close their mouth around their target and apply pressure. This behaviour is useful in dogs such as terriers as it enables them to quickly dispatch rats and mice. Answer this question to find out more:
6. One of the signs of prey drive in dogs is their ability to possess their prey.
This is when they hold and carry their target in their mouth, either to bring it back to their owner or to keep it for themselves. This behaviour is found in domestic dogs, especially in retrieving breeds like Labradors and Spaniels, as they have been selectively bred for it. They can carry objects gently and without damaging them. Answer this question to find out more:
7. A key part of prey drive in dogs is the kill-bite.
This is when they hold and shake their target with the intention of killing it. This behaviour is useful for dogs like working terriers, as it helps them to quickly dispatch rats. Answer this question to find out more:
What your dog would do if they could matters as well.
Do you feel as if the intensity of your dog's behaviour toward prey would be higher if you weren't careful about where you walk and about when you let your dog off the lead?