Prey Drive ≠ Negative Behavior

Is prey drive a bad thing? So many owners and trainers (like me!) work on curbing or controlling prey drive. And understandably so – no one wants to get pulled around while on the walk because their pup saw a bunny rabbit. But does this really mean that prey drive in of itself is a negative behavior?

Absolutely not. All dogs have various types of drives: toy drive, food drive, rank drive, defense drive, pack drive, etc. Prey drive is only one of many things that can drive/motivate a dog. Typically for family dogs, prey isn’t one to be encouraged. However, for certain sports or types of work, prey drive may play a huge role in the success of that dog.

Keep in mind, too, that certain breeds of dog were created for a purpose that requires them to have specific, high drives. This is why some breeds are better for family lifestyle, and others are more suited for a working profession.

So while dog trainers do their best to dial down prey drive within their client’s dogs, this does not mean that the inherent behavior itself is negative or bad. It just means that the dog’s natural instincts either were not properly managed from birth, or simply do not lend the dog to easily living a certain lifestyle. Luckily, training can shape many of a dog’s genetic impulses to help both human and pup live life more cohesively.