Prey Drive Question

I'm sure this falls into the stupid-question category, but I really want to know. I have heard much about what builds prey drive and an ugly incident this morning has me curious. Sully loves to watch various wildlife outside, but she is never off leash so I have never see her chase anything. Today we were sitting outside and we were surprised by two chipmunks with a death wish that literally ran right on top of Sully's front paws. One of them wound up in her mouth. She let it go immediately when I said "Drop it," but I wonder if she may become more aggressive with small animals now. I don't think she hurt the little critter in any way, but I would hate to see her go after smaller animals, such as my granddaughter's kitten when she is off leash in the house. I hope that is not how it works, but I was very surprised to see her engulf the chipmunk, though to be fair, it practically ran into her mouth. Is it possible she will be more prone toward animal aggression after her "catch?" Not sure what her plans were, but she didn't seem interested in killing or eating it at least. Thanks, as always for your help!

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Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on June 19, 2014 at 5:00pm

Probably not. Our Doberman caught and killed several opossums, bunnies etc over the years yet still could be gentle as possible with our cats and various friends puppies. If you make sure she is around other animals and is not allowed to chase them she will probably live comfortably with others.

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Permalink Reply by Anna Morelli on June 19, 2014 at 6:07pm

I wouldn't worry. She was probably as surprised as you were :-DD

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Permalink Reply by Linda on June 19, 2014 at 10:41pm

I don't think I would be worried over this one thing. I'm betting what she did was simply a surprised reaction. She apparently had no problem with letting it go when you told her to.

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Permalink Reply by Vicky Hay on June 21, 2014 at 10:30am

Don't think I'd get upset over this one incident. If a chipmunk jumped in your lap, wouldn't you try to...uhm...well, pet it or something? Sully is just doing what comes naturally to a dog.

Some breeds have very strong prey drive -- a greyhound, for example, should never be walked off a lead outside a fenced yard, because it will take off like a rocket after anything and it can see clearly for a good quarter-mile. But I don't think that's a signal characteristic of herding dogs. I think you can train the dog not to chase: just tell her firmly "No!" every time she eyeballs a chipmunk or other delicious morsel-on-the-hoof. My son got our old chocolate lab to never look crooked at ANY critter by doing this.

If the dog is socialized to view the kitten as part of the extended "pack," she should leave it alone and in fact may become protective of it. And remember, the kitten is armed for bear with claws and fangs.

PS: If she'd intended to kill the chipmunk, she would have: she'd have snapped its neck before you could stop her. That she dropped it on command is a very good sign.

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Permalink Reply by Holly on June 21, 2014 at 5:34pm

Thanks. I feel better after all the helpful comments. She is pretty afraid of grown cats since she knows they can not be trusted to not take a swipe at her. All the wildlife around here are pretty bold since there are many feeders few people and very few dogs off leash. The little red squirrels might potentially get too close as well.