Ask the Expert: High prey drive dogs and canicross (Episode 10)

Louise and Michelle chat to Tracey McLennan who specialises in dogs with a high prey drive.  Pretty much all dogs - apart from companion breeds - are bred to do something with prey animals, whether that is finding animals which have been shot, such as spaniels. or to hunt animals such as sighthounds, or to catch and kill vermin such as terriers. Understanding the motor sequence in all predatory dogs - such as pointing, orienting, eyeing, stalking, chasing, grab or kill bites, dissecting and consuming - is crucial to understanding our predatory pets, but this sequence has been disrupted by breeding.   Tracey chats about the types of behaviour to look out for in your high prey drive breed that may be a precursor to their instinctive need to hunt prey, and strategies for how to build confidence in your high prey drive breed and learn to trust them off lead. You can find out more about Tracey's work at www.bestdoglearningandstuff.co.uk and join her free Facebook group here