Various dog breeds have an innate hunting instinct. However, this is not really advantageous for today’s everyday life with dogs. With insufficient education and training, the hunting instinct can even become a big problem. This can show itself in the chasing of thrushes or rabbits as well as the chasing of other dogs and cats.
Both for the dog, its owner, but also all animals and people in the environment, this can possibly even become dangerous. The only thing that can be done against it is a consistent and intensive education. If this does not work, anti-hunting training should be considered.
When the dog can no longer be controlled
You probably know those dogs that try to chase after everything that moves – birds, rabbits, the neighbor’s cat and, unfortunately, other dogs, possibly mailmen. Leaving aside the actual problem of the other animals, it’s a very embarrassing situation when the dog doesn’t respond at all, no matter how you try to call it back. Honestly – this way every walk with the dog becomes a gauntlet. Or you move your walks to times when one hundred percent of the time there is no other dog on the street. But that, quite honestly, gets a little too complicated.
But it’s not just other dogs and cats that can be a problem. Even if the daily round is along a busy road, it would be irresponsible for the dog to run out into the middle of the road, right between cars, because of an animal on the other side of the road. Unthinkable!
Does not every dog have a hunting instinct?
Yes and no. Because in many dog breeds the existing hunting instinct has been neglected or deliberately bred back in the course of many years of breeding. Nevertheless, there can be differences even within a breed, which can be explained by the breeding line. So it is not surprising that one dog already wants to jump off at the slightest rustle in the undergrowth, but the other does not even bat an eyelash. To which kind of the own dog belongs, one does not know unfortunately with the purchase of a puppy yet. Possibly one can orient oneself at the breeding line. But even these observations are not one hundred percent reliable.
Whoever chooses a dog from the category of hunting dogs, of course, but should not be surprised why the dog tries to actually live out this innate drive. The following breeds were originally bred for hunting and some of them are still primarily used for this purpose.
- German Shorthair
- Dachshund
- Terrier
- Basset
- Beagle
- Small Münsterlander and Large Münsterlander
- Weimaraner
- and many others.
The so called hunting dogs are specialized to rush the game, to fix, to sneak up or to grab the game. On the basis of the breeding lines it can be seen that they were designed exactly for these goals. These breeds require very good basic and hunting training.
On the other hand, there are pure family dogs, such as the Golden Retriever, the Pug or even the Boxer. They have also been bred accordingly.
What can trigger the hunting instinct?
There are several triggers that can be responsible for a sudden flare-up of the hunting instinct. These come into play differently in each dog. Sometimes the walk with several dogs is already the triggering moment. The problem with the hunting instinct, however, is not the flare-up or the actual chasing. Rather, it is the fact that once a dog has hunted, it will respond to that trigger over and over again. And that dog will also be able to encourage other dogs to hunt with him. Not a nice thought. After all, a hormone-driven, hunting pack is no fun.
Can the hunting instinct be controlled?
Let’s clarify one thing first: every dog, even the dearest family dog, can be seized by the hunting instinct. For this reason, you should find out about any predisposition before you get a special dog and it literally takes off in a cloud of dust across the field and starts to hunt. Once he has picked up speed and put some distance between himself and you, it is almost impossible to stop him without the proper training. No amount of yelling, whistling or calling will help. And there’s even a simple reason for this: happy hormones!
Many dog owners don’t even know that there is a big endorphin rush for the dog when he gets into hunting mode. No, it’s not even necessarily necessary for the dog to be able to kill the game. The rush is already all he needs to get that kick and enjoy it to the fullest.
Unfortunately, he remembers this state very well. Which consequently leads to him promptly chasing after the next rabbit that crosses his path. Not because the dog deliberately wants to be disobedient. But simply because he wants to experience this great feeling, this thrill again. He knows that this way he just feels great.
How can I tell that my dog and I need the anti-hunting training?
Once a dog has gotten used to the fact that chasing gives him such a high, it will be quite difficult to break him of this habit. It is often impossible for the owner to keep him on a leash. And if he has broken away and chases, the owner is all the more relieved when he turns up at home unharmed. Unfortunately, such actions are not particularly conducive to trust between dog and master. Thus, the master is more and more restless and insecure, as soon as he wants to go with the dog on the road or in the forest, between the fields. This insecurity in turn is picked up by the dog and in most cases also exploited in his favor.
Hunting Together! Harnessing Predatory Chasing in Family Dogs through Motivation-Based Training: Predation Substitute Training (1)
You as a dog owner are not only responsible for your own safety and that of the dog. You are also responsible for the environment and all living creatures that could come to harm in it. Yes, the argument of simply not letting the dog off the leash is quite valid. However, even this cannot always save everything. When a large, full-grown hunting dog gets into position and takes off at full speed, even big, strong men don’t always have a chance to hold it back.
A few, however, will not be converted even by the best of attempts.
What does anti-hunting training look like?
- Convince your dog that the consequences of suppressing the hunting instinct are much higher than the joy, the exhilaration he experiences when he gives in to the hunting instinct. No, you will not be able to score points at this point with the normal treats as a reward. Rather, it must be a joyful need for him to stay with his master. This means that the “adventures” to be had with the owner must be at least as great as a hunting adventure. This lesson must be taught to him. This does not eliminate the hunting instinct completely. But with these lessons a redirection is possible, so that he focuses on other things.
- The basic obedience: Every dog must learn these basic terms – sit, down, off, stay and of course heel. They must be completely automated so that the hunting dog can enjoy constant security with his master. Usually this conditioning is started in puppyhood. But any dog, even into old age, can still learn these commands. The important thing here is consistency and constant compliance and repetition. Even if the dog seems to have mastered it so well, a practice session should be inserted every now and then. This obedience must of course be rewarded. So that you don’t always have to walk around with a bag full of treats, it is advisable to give the dog his favorite toy as a reward for successfully executed commands right from the start. It should not be too big, so that you can carry it home at worst.
- Strengthen attention and bonding: Every owner believes of his dog that he has a very good education and perfectly masters all the commands of “basic training”. Until he breaks loose and moves away. So it is necessary to train exceptional situations with the dog. Situations in which he wants to give free rein to his instincts, but does not do so in order not to jeopardize the bond with his owner. Too many temptations can come at him on a walk. So these situations want to be provoked and practiced. Because he is only allowed to stay in one place – with his master. This is not well doable alone. At least a second person should be present. Even better these situations can be practiced under controlled conditions in the dog school in appropriate courses. Within these lessons, the dog should be taught again that there can only be one pack leader and that it is YOU. And the pack leader is ALWAYS at the top of the list when it comes to the important things of the walk. Because without the pack leader, there is no walk. So how should holding the attention, the bond between pack leader and the dog be rewarded? After all, everything goes much better with a reward, doesn’t it? It doesn’t always have to be a treat that you use to demand attention. How about hiding and calling out to the easily distracted dog? Will he find you? If so, praise him effusively. Feel free to incorporate such games spontaneously into walks. The better the connection between you and the dog, the more anxious he will be to find you. What else should he be doing alone on the dirt road?
- Distracting the hunting instinct: Since the dog is not allowed to hunt, but also cannot completely suppress his instincts, something else must be found so that he does not become completely dozy or ultimately break out and go on the rampage. The various dog sports give a wide range in this regard. Especially for those dogs that have more than one hunting dog skill. What might be considered? Retrieving, mantrailing, dummy work, carni cross or of course agility. All of these dog sports require not only brains, but also physical stamina, speed and agility. It makes sense to start with only one type of dog sport. If this is reasonably well mastered, a second can be added. But as with all lessons, even if the dog offers a lot of potential, it should not be overtaxed.
- The dog run: Many people, not only in urban or suburban areas, use the many dog runs that have been set up specifically for the purpose that the dogs can run freely under controlled conditions and especially protected from danger zones such as roads. In the dog run they can compete with other dogs of the same species. They can run, scuffle and be blissful, free dogs. They can also make “friends” with their peers. Many a “dog gang” has formed in the dog run. Of course, they must not fall into their hunting behavior here. The recall at any time should already sit, if one goes into the dog run. But you will be surprised how completely different many dogs show themselves there.
- Control the impulse: No matter what distraction method you choose, it’s ultimately all about impulse control. In other words, you could also say that the dog must learn to endure frustration. If you were looking for a formulation for humans, the term “self-control” would probably come into play. Impulse control requires some patience and self-reflection on the part of the owner. If you are restless yourself, so is the dog . For example, let the dog sit and now throw the dummy. The dog should remain seated, of course, for which he is praised afterwards really strong. Make sure that he actually rises only when you give the appropriate command to do so.
- The indispensable emergency signal: Yes, you have read correctly. Even when dealing with dogs must have an emergency signal, a super recall They are needed for those cases when nothing goes. It can be advantageous to practice them with a dog whistle, as this can be used even if the owner is voiceless. However, it must be a command that is not in the everyday repertoire. And please – use this command, after the dog has successfully learned it, only in absolute emergencies. It should not be used during any walk. Then it would have no effect in an emergency.
A good tip in the end
- Never give up.
- Be patient.
- If necessary, seek support from a suitable dog school.
- Be happy about the small steps you make with your dog. better small steps than no progress at all.
- give yourself and your dog a break from the hard training schedule every now and then. everyone needs a little rest once in a while.
Conclusion
Yes, there is a chance to redirect a hunting dog’s instinct to hunt, to suppress the impulse. But everyone should be aware that it is a time-consuming and labor-intensive task. Because the dog can, despite good education and daily practice sessions, purely theoretically at any time fall back into its genetically determined behaviors.
Therefore, it makes sense to get involved with hunting dogs only if you actually have enough time and expertise to give them the workload and security they need in their daily tasks, that is, the various dog sports disciplines. Dogs with a strong hunting instinct are definitely not for beginners. They belong in the hands of experienced dog owners who know exactly what they are getting into and what to do accordingly.
