Unwanted Hunting Behavior – Managing Dogs Who Chase Wildlife
When the hunting instinct wreaks havoc on the walk
A lovely walk quickly turns chaotic if game appears and the dog has an unwanted hunting drive. Shoulders struggle to stay in line as the hound lunges at the length of the leash and the air is filled with frenzied drive calls. If smoke is pouring out of your ears, it's perfectly understandable. From the dog's perspective, it's probably just eagerness, passion and adrenaline. But oh so inappropriate if hunting is not your purpose with your dog.
Factors behind dog hunting behavior
As always, we first want to understand the purpose of the dog's behavior. In the introductory scenario, four common motives recur; hunting instinct, stress, pain or hunger. These factors rarely act alone. More often they intertwine, like a rag rug woven from different strips of fabric that together form a whole. The carpet is the behavior you want to remedy, but you need to be aware of the origin of the strips.
Hunting instinct: an innate drive
Dogs, regardless of breed, have the predator hunting code imprinted in their DNA. Hunting is an instinct and a behavioral need linked to survival, a vital activity from the dog's perspective. An instinct is an inherited behavioral repertoire linked to a specific stimulus. Some dogs direct their instinct only towards game, while others redirect it towards bicycles, cars, anything that moves fast really. This is called redirected hunting.
Dog breeds and their hunting specialties
The behavioral pattern triggered by the hunting instinct is to search, track, chase after, travel, drive forward, set (circle and bark) the game, trap and possibly even kill the prey. Different breeds specialize in different parts of the hunting sequence, while others take on the whole glory. Some breeds are not really bred for hunting, but the code is still latent within the dog. Because dogs are predators. The whole lot of them. Environmental factors and circumstances determine whether or not hunting interest is aroused.
When the puppy's hunting instinct awakens
When the puppy is between five and seven months old, the drive comes to life to a greater extent than before. If during this stage of life the dog comes into contact with wildlife, perhaps managing to chase after it, the behavior can become entrenched and problematic.
Not everyone accepts a hunting substitute
Some dogs are content with other outlets, hunting substitutes such as tracks or searches, but big game hunters cannot let the game go no matter what. If no outlet is given, the opportunity is taken, whether we consider it appropriate or not. The consequences can be very stressful, even nasty if the hunt ends in an attack.
Pack hunting: when instincts are awakened in groups
Dogs in packs can liven up the atmosphere in a hunting situation. In the mildest of couch potatoes, a primal instinct can be awakened if given the opportunity to hunt in a pack. As the situation can become serious for all involved, it is recommended that you contact a well-trained dog psychologist who will look at the causes and the whole picture and guide concrete solutions for your particular dog.
Stress and its impact on hunting behavior
Let's look at some common causes. Stress itself is not a single cause. Generally, stressed dogs are more likely to lash out. They generate a flurry of aimless energy, the pressure cooker is looking for a blow valve. Hunting problems are therefore common in cases of under/overstimulation, or other causes of stress. Sometimes the stress can come from inadequate environmental training or socialization; a situation at daycare can frustrate, a rabbit in the neighbor's yard may trigger daily, and heated fighting games can unwind. Daily stick/ball throwing boosts adrenaline which then seeks an outlet.
Or there may be stressors in the dog's living environment that are having an impact. Perhaps the family's children play too wildly with the dog or separation issues are a factor. Stress, as you can see, can come from many things. It is important to critically examine all aspects of the dog's life. The solution is rarely to simply curb the chase. This is usually only possible once the dog's overall stress has been addressed. Providing regular breed and individualized exercise and mental stimulation, daily tactile massage, allowing the dog to chew a lot of bone and passivity training can be important measures.
When pain drives hunting behavior
Pain or illness can create the need for an explosive outlet. When a dog is running (high physical activity) the body releases endorphins and adrenaline, the hormones are pain relievers. You might think that pain should lead to reduced activity, but for the reasons above, the opposite can occur. Running like hell becomes a form of self-medication. It is important not to misinterpret pain-induced outcomes with hunting. To solve this root cause of the problem, the veterinarian needs to do their part.
Hunger as a hunting trigger
A rumbling predator's stomach can inspire hunting. The instinct to hunt is directly linked to the acquisition of food. Hunger causes the dog to produce a drive with a specific goal; to hunt = to eat. The solution may seem simple, feed more, but if the dog is dieting or should not eat more for other reasons, it is more difficult. Instead, letting the dog chase a fighting toy on a string, gnaw a lot of bones and eat low-calorie belly fillers can help.
Step-by-step in managing hunting behaviors
There is no one-size-fits-all solution; the reasons behind unwanted hunting vary. Most often, an action plan is required to solve the underlying causes, which can be multiple. Once they are addressed, you will have a dog that does not block as easily and is receptive to training. Only now can the dog develop from gradual environmental training in the forest and field. Then you can practice habituation to game scents, tracks and visual impressions of game, before training the "drop it" signal where the dog is guided with a reward so that he turns around and interacts with you even when it smells of game. You can also use Eva Bodfäldt's Gossip training against game impressions.
How to carry out rigged training
You should always practice rigged so that you are aware of how much your dog is triggered. You need to be able to control the factors that affect your dog, you don't want your dog to be triggered to the point where he blocks. Train at a level that allows your dog to succeed; then you will notice over time that the dog can handle more and more difficult situations.
Rigged training does not mean practicing on real game with a loose dog. The dog should be harnessed and leashed and you train against scent/tracks or fur that you have hung up in trees or dragged along the ground. You can then practice against visible real game trails or in situations where your dog has game scent in its nose. Your role is initially to get the dog to associate game with a hunting outlet with you. You may need to resort to rewards such as hooves, fur, meat and bones initially. After all, that's what the dog wants! Your goal is to control an instinct; a dry food ball will not be enough of a reward.
The dog should be kept on a lead (so that you can stop if necessary) and you practice at a distance from the game trigger that allows you to act before the rush comes. Let the reward bead drop down in front of the dog and then jerk it away in zigzagging movements away from the game. If the dog follows, take the opportunity to say "drop it". Give lots of praise when the dog chases after you and the fur instead of the game. Become the hare, rush away - the yak will love to take up the chase on you.
Reward systems that work for hunting training
Offering the dog what he is motivated to do or what he can get is to go with and not against the dog's motivation system. It is effective and essential when you want to tame an instinct. With time and training, give the dog more calming rewards after an active release (massage, hard biscuits, sniffing for a sausage trail you quickly lay out). The aim is to subdue and not just unwind. Moderate is best.
Patience and time for effective hunting training:
When the trend "lunge" instead became "turn towards master/mate on given signal", an interaction has been consolidated. Now, more traditional leash training and gossip training can have a good effect. Remember, however, that many dogs need to be met where they are first, by catching them and joining them in the mood they are in. Getting a good interaction around hunting is a process; a development that should take time. It requires a lot of training. Because it is not always easy for a dog to be a predator in the human world.
Information of importance
- A hunting dog breed is not a companion dog, even if they are a family member. Hunting dogs need to be allowed to hunt!
- From March 1 to August 20, you must keep your dog under close supervision in the wild! It is even a punishable offense if your dog pursues wildlife during this time. The law is there to protect wild animals during the time of year when they are having their young or are in peak pregnancy.
- Only hunting dogs participating in organized hunting are allowed to chase, disturb or set game, never pet dogs. In other words, a pet dog must not be loose if there is a risk.
- Dogs with a strong hunting drive need a solid hunting substitute. For some dogs, game trails trigger the hunt, as the dog is trained to pursue game. For others, it satisfies a need. If you try it, be aware that it may make your problem worse. Then person tracking may be a better option!
Written by: Caroline Alupo
Caroline Alupo is Petli's co-founder. She has a master's degree in ethology and is also a trained dog trainer and dog psychologist. She has 19 years of experience as a professional dog trainer. Read more about Caroline here.
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