Companion Animal Welfare

Dog Prey Drive Management and Welfare

Dogs with high prey drive present welfare challenges for both the dog and potential prey species, and management through training and appropriate outlets is both welfare-positive and responsible ownership.

Key Facts

Prey drive is a normal behaviour in many breeds including terriers, sighthounds and herding breeds
Frustrated prey drive in confined or under-stimulated dogs causes chronic arousal and stress
Appropriate outlets including chase games, tug and flirt poles provide welfare-positive expression
Dogs that kill wildlife experience welfare harm through the aftermath of punishment
Recall training and secure environments prevent hunting behaviour that risks wildlife welfare

Welfare Considerations

Managing prey drive is a welfare issue on multiple levels - the dog whose drive is never appropriately expressed experiences frustration and arousal; the dog punished for following natural instinct experiences fear and confusion. Providing species-appropriate outlets for prey drive through games, sports and structured activities satisfies the drive in a way that benefits dog welfare without causing harm to wildlife.

What You Can Do

Provide appropriate prey drive outlets through tug, chase games and scent sports
Train reliable recall in dogs with high prey drive before allowing off-lead in wildlife areas
Use secure longlines and appropriate environments to prevent wildlife hunting