One of the most important things to remember when walking a dog with a high level of prey drive is to always keep it leashed and under control. These dogs often have trouble obeying commands and may not even respond to them. It is very important to avoid dog parks and areas where dogs cannot be leashed as these places may be triggers for a high level of prey drive in your dog.
Another way to prevent your dog from exhibiting high levels of prey drive is to use toys to distract him or her. By throwing down a toy or cuddly toy, you can train your dog to ignore the toy and continue walking. Always keep your dog on a leash when out walking, and allow it to access the garden only when supervised.
If your dog exhibits a high level of prey drive, you should practice taking him for walks. Try training him to focus on the leash when he looks at a fake trigger for a few seconds. After he is fully focused on the trigger, practice letting him gaze at it for another couple of seconds and clicking and rewarding him when he looks at it. Repeat this procedure until your dog is used to walking on a leash.
One of the most important precautions for taking walks with a high prey drive is to keep an eye out for potential hazards. Many dogs have tunnel vision, which means they won’t look for a car before crossing the street. They can also run for miles before they realize their owner is no longer following them. To prevent this, make sure your dog sees the prey and is aware that you are not there.
If your dog has a high prey drive, make sure you take extra precautions when walking him. He may be prone to attacking small animals, chasing cars, and ignoring your commands. He may not come when you call him or bark erratically. Also, larger dogs with a high prey drive may not be safe around smaller pets.
Another essential precaution when walking a dog with a high level of prey drive is to teach him to stay in your sight by teaching him to ignore prey in front of him. This is a crucial step to help your dog become a good house pet. If he is a hunter, he will need to know how to come when called.
Using controlled activities to satisfy a dog’s instinct to chase and kill prey is a good way to reduce his level of aggression. Try using a lure pole or a prey stick that mimics the movement and thrill of prey. Other prey-related games are fetch and chasing bubbles. For example, you can put the lure on a string and wave it across a field to engage the dog’s predator instinct.
