What Trainers Call “Prey Drive” Is A Lie.
Prey drive is a lie. Prey drive in reality is the dogs frustrations as a result of not being able to chase things – to do their very job. Fulfill their purpose. And that frustration eventually will become aggression – aggression due to “prey drive” they call it. Funny how it’s anything that moves that becomes a thing to chase at some point? And that’s not frustration?
Every dog is bred for a reason, and only a couple exist to be companion dogs, to be lap dogs. Dogs were bred to be our tools – bred to make our lives easier – to do things for us. And we have forgotten that, we don’t have a reason to have a dog anymore. But we expect the dog to throw all their genetics in the garbage and fit into our lives. That’s called slavery no?
Dogs were bred to do things that we are incapable of doing – to make life easier. To hunt, to pull, to retrieve, to herd – to chase something – even the Husky was bred to chase the wind with a sled behind them. Imagine the audacity of a German Shepherd to have the urge to chase things? The audacity of a Border Collie or Australian Shepherd having the urge to chase things? But trainers tell you to shut the behaviour down – stop the behaviour. Problem is – this behaviour is genetic.
Your dog is not “genetically aggressive” – that’s another lie. The dog is showing aggression because their genetics are being suppressed. Think about that for a while – really chew on it.
Dogs don’t get to chase anything today. Does your German Shepherd ever get to be a German Shepherd? Does your Jack Russel Terrier ever get to act like a Jack Russel Terrier? Does your Greyhound ever get to be a Greyhound? The answer is likely no! Is your dog having behavioural issues? If the answer is yes – then I urge you to read on.
Prey drive is a phrase made up to scare you – it’s actually frustration due to suppression of the dogs genetics. Fear aggression is a made up phrase made to scare you. The reality is – the dog is showing aggression cause they are afraid. You are no different in that capacity – if I threatened your life – you fight or flight – show aggression or run away. Fight (aggression) and flight (avoidance) – why are we labelling dogs “aggressive” in the first place when they are having a fight or flight response?
Why is the dog afraid? That’s the diagnosis. That’s what you need to focus on – it’s the fear that’s driving the behaviours. Fix the fear – the resulting behaviours go away on their own – they have no reason to exist because the cause is gone. And what is fear at its’ core but lack of trust and understanding. And what is the very cause of so many behavioural issues today? Simple lack of purpose.
Your dog doesn’t not trust you – and you do not trust your dog. Why? Because giving your dog a time and a place to get their genetics out of their system is highest form of respect you can offer your dog. We don’t respect dogs anymore – and it begins with dog training. I don’t see too many trainers out there telling you to find a way for your dog to express their genetics. Only to contain them – to control and manage those genetics that have been bred into some dogs for thousands of years. Dog training does not respect the dog – at all.
It’s mutual trust and respect that builds confidence in any relationship – and if one is missing – none can exist. You cannot trust and be confident in that which you don’t respect. You cannot be confident or respect that which you do not trust. You flight from the things you do not trust – you avoid them – now ask yourself why you have to train recall? I never had to train recall cause I focused solely on building that mutual trust and respect with my dog – and that gives me the confidence. Dogs run away – avoid Negatives – Negative Reinforcement.
If you can’t trust your dog – or if your dog can’t trust you? In human terms – we call that a toxic relationship. And then people wonder why they have behavioural issues? And you’re being told to train the dog instead of fixing the toxicity in that relationship. A trainer is not going to fix your toxic relationship with your dog – they are only going to make it worse. Only you can fix your toxic relationship with the dog – the dog is not broken – stop trying to fix it.
But trainers are out there – shut down those behaviours! Stop the behaviours! Treats, prongs, ecollars, muzzles, crates and on and on. They are telling you to shut down your dogs very operant conditioning – their reason for existing. And they call this dog training? This is the worst form of punishment you can exact on a dog.
“Positive Reinforcement” is NOT “have a treat”. Your Positive Reinforcements are your desires – your wants, your needs – what motivates you? If I took away all of your wants and needs – just shut down your behaviours using pure punishment – what would you call that? That is the worst form of abuse you can exact on any animal. I know it’s not your intention – but you don’t know any better – and neither do dog trainers.
Lets get into artificial expression of those genetics. Finding something for your dog to chase – to emulate what they were bred to do. I’m going to show you ways to let your dog “get it out of their system” with the help of a few videos from a friend of mine.
Trainers will tell you not to do this – because it works against trainers paychecks. I’m sorry, that’s reality. They tell you that this will cause the dog to want to chase more – but it doesn’t. You’re giving the dog a time and a place to get out and be the breed of dog they are. They have genetics – and those genetics are to chase things – to hunt, to herd, to chase the wind with a sled behind them. It’s ok to put your dog to work.
Herding ball. So many dogs love it, it’s engaging, mentally draining which is important. This is Choppa from Australia chasing his herding ball. Choppa loves it – other dogs won’t.
Chase a remote controlled car. Choppa lasts about 10 minutes before he’s tired and satisfied. He’s a cross breed of 2 herding dogs – now he’s got something to chase. So simple right? Tired dogs are calm dogs. Tired dogs with a purpose are satisfied dogs. And that’s when life begins to change. I love this video.
Flirt pole. This is the number one tool that has saved many a pitbull life. Find the right lure, and they will exhaust themselves – blow out the lines til there is nothing left. I believe what she’s using is called a lung whip and it makes for a great flirt pole. Watch how much her dog loves it – and he’s a vermin dog – again, bred to hunt and chase.
