208. What is Predation Substitution Training (And When It Actually Works)

If you've ever thought that giving your dog a flirt pole or a tug toy would stop them chasing squirrels, this one's going to shift something. Predation substitution training sounds like the answer, give them an outlet for all that chase drive. But as Claire Deyer walks Jo through in this episode, it's not that simple. Here's what actually works, why outlets alone fail high-drive dogs, and when PST becomes part of a real strategy instead of a band-aid. Claire's spent a decade rehabilitating dogs that chase on command and won't stop, and what she's learned will reshape how you think about drive, boundaries, and what your dog actually needs from you.In This EpisodeWhat predatory drive actually is and why it's normal (not a flaw) in working dogsWhy chasing a toy will never replicate catching a real rabbit, the limitations of outlet trainingHow dogs behave completely differently when you're not watching (and why this matters for prey drive issues)The skills you need alongside PST: reliable recall, stop whistle, steadiness, and self-controlHow gun dog training fits into predation substitution trainingWhy diagnosing the root cause matters more than picking a training methodThanks for being here. If this episode gave you something, a laugh, a lightbulb, or just the feeling that someone gets it, that's exactly why we make it.📚 Not sure where to start with your gundog training? Grab the LWDG Gundog Progress Gap Map. Work out where you exactly where you are and what to work on next, no more guessing needed.