Almost every dog has a natural tendency toward some predatory behaviors, and these behaviors can often be a challenge for pet parents. While people often like to think of their dogs as four-legged children, the fact remains that they possess animal instincts that can make them unpredictable.
A strong prey drive in dogs can be a problem if it means your dog chases anything that moves. While this can be fun when you’re up for a game of fetch, it’s not such a good time when you’re out for a walk and your pup tries to tear after every animal that wanders into their peripheral vision. Prey drive also has a positive side. The term prey drive primarily refers to a dog’s level of excitement or motivation to perform a task involving hunting-related behaviors or going after an object.
Today we are re-featuring handsome Dougie who is sadly still searching for the love of his life and a home to call his own. He is looking for a fresh start, a second chance, a bed to curl up in and a human to share his life with forever.
Dougie originally came to the Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter as a stray back in October of 2019. He waited and waited for his family to come and find him and take him home but that never happened. Then in April of 2019 Dougie was adopted; but sadly returned after he escaped his yard by jumping the four-foot high fence multiple times to chase after other animals.
Dougie is as sweet as they come, a very affectionate cuddle bug with tons of love to share, but he is simply not a fan of other animals. You see, Dougie has a high prey drive which requires management by an experienced dog person.
As humans, we seem to expect dogs to never show their teeth, growl, chase, or express any form of discomfort in any way. We often punish them for exhibiting these behaviors without understanding the cause and then wonder why it occurred.
One of the main reasons dogs like Dougie chase other animals is simply because it is fun. Prey drive is normal, it is manageable and you can train a dog to stop reacting or redirect those instincts into something just as pleasurable, such as games. We have discussed high prey drive before in a couple articles and will reiterate that this is a 100% natural type of chase, is an internal state and an instinctive behavior in all dogs. Some dogs have a higher desire to chase while others may have little to no desire to chase. Prey drive is not breed specific and it is not the same thing as social aggression shown towards other dogs. Dougie walks very nicely on a leash and can pass other dogs with no issues while out on a walk, but off leash, if he gets out of a yard loose, he will run after any animal he sees.
While it can be difficult to change an innate, instinctive behavior, it is possible to manage a high prey drive dog a lot better with the right training and intervention. With this in mind, Dougie needs an active home where he can exercise on a daily basis. A very special mom and dad — a savvy, experienced, strong, and patient individuals who ars committed to him and will put in the time needed to teach him the ropes of life and help him become the best he can be. Individuals with time to engage him in other play activities that involve chasing, catching and retrieving, playing with toys, playing fetch, tug of war or maybe even involving him in agility sports as a positive and fun outlet for his prey drive.
Dougie will do best as the only pet in an adult only household with a secure six-foot high fenced in yard. He is 64 pounds, estimated to be about seven to eight years young, up to date on vaccinations, neutered, micro-chipped and heartworm negative. He is housebroken, knows his basic commands, and is crate trained.
We really can’t say enough about what an affectionate loving guy he is! Dougie is an all around amazing dog with a lively personality. He is very people oriented, eager to please and very intelligent. Could you be the one to make his wish come true?
If you’re interested in this handsome boy, make an appointment and head down to the shelter. Don’t hesitate because Dougie has been waiting far too long already. Although he needs to be your one and only pet, he is so full of life and love that he is all you will ever need!
Town of Brookhaven Animal Shelter
300 Horseblock Road
Brookhaven, NY 11719
(631) 451-6950
Be sure to head over to Adoption Central, share Dougie and all the other Featured Dog Friday pups still in search of their forever homes.