Podenco is the Spanish word for hound and the Podenco is not a single breed. Instead, Podenco describes a group of several simlar breeds. They are bred as rabbit hunting dogs. Podencos are mentioned as hunting companions in Spanish literature at least since the 15th century. Podenco breeds differ in size and coat type. Podencos hunt using sight, scent and hearing.
Even if they are living as companions, most hunting dogs appreciate the chance to use their hunting instincts. Giving them safe opportunities is likely to keep them feeling happy and settled - and less likely to develop behaviour problems.
Hiding toys or food in long grass for your dog to find using their nose - you could also wrap food or toys in paper bags that would rustle as the dog got close.
Putting out blue toys or blue pots of food out for your dog to look for. Blue is highly visible to dogs and will be easy for a sight hunting dog to spot. If you wanted to, you could attach fabric streamers that would blow in the wind as well.
Many hunting dogs enjoy the sport of mantrailing as it allows them to use their hunting instincts.
Others love to do sports like canicross where they are able to run in areas with lots of wildlife to see, hear and smell.
Using a flirt pole or a thrown toy can give hunting dogs who love to chase and grab the opportunity perform those much loved behaviours without any animals getting hurt.
If you'd love to know more about keeping your high prey drive dog happy, click here and sign up for my FREE course designed especially for high prey drive dogs.
Predatory Motor Sequence statistics for Podencos. The graph shows the percentage of Podencos in my research study that had a strong level of interest in each behaviour.
Hunt: 69%
Orient: 69%
Eye: 54%
Stalk: 23%
Chase: 69%
Grab-bite: 69%
Possess: 31%
Kill-bite: 46%
Dissect: 23%
Consume: 8%
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I am the founder of Best Dog Learning and Stuff and a massive prey drive enthusiast. I've lived with high prey drive dogs for over 20 years and I love them. I run the awesome High Prey Drive Club where I help my members learn to have fabulous walks and happy lives with their high prey drive dogs.
I am a published researcher in my field with both my original research and my review of the literature looking at prey drive in dogs being published in the respected journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science.
I am the author of Canine aggression: Rehabilitating an aggressive dog with kindess and compassion.
I want to show you how easy and fun it can be to have a high prey drive dog.
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