Why is your dog chasing their tail? More likely than not, they may be lacking mental stimulation, looking for attention, or simply trying to burn excess energy. That's the case for lots of dogs — especially younger dogs and puppies. Often, these dogs find that running in circles is great fun!
Chasing is a natural behaviour for your dog. Hunting and herding breeds in particular have been bred over centuries to have a strong chase instinct. However almost every dog has a natural tendency toward some chase, or predatory behaviour, and this can be triggered by something they see, smell or hear.
Distract your dog with a food reward, praising it for not chasing. As soon as it begins to agitate about running after (whining, growling), make an about-face and walk the other direction while praising and offering treats.
It's normal in dogs. In popular terms, it's called “the zoomies.” In technical parlance, it's Frenetic Random Activity Periods, or FRAP for short. It's more common in puppies and young dogs, but even our old pals can get a case of the zoomies if the mood strikes.
Well, we know that your pup does! If being chased is one of your dog's favorite games, they are not alone. Lots of dogs love to be chased and can play this way for hours. However, maybe you are tired of simply running and following your dog around and are looking for something else to keep them entertained.
Prey drive is a dog's natural instinct to find, chase and catch prey. While prey drive can be confused with aggression, they are not the same. An aggressive dog is driven by strong negative emotions such as fear and involves them trying to distance themselves from the object of their aggression.
Training exercises are an excellent way of how to tame prey drive in a dog, and there are several exercises you can do with your dog at home, with the most important being establishing control over your dog when they are off leash.
Some dogs are simply more nervous or anxious and will use pacing as a way to relieve their anxiety. Others will pace when they are agitated about something or someone in or just outside the home. Some dogs may pace because they simply want your attention.
This is a reactive dog — one who overreacts to normal situations that other dogs would take in stride. Reactive dogs are not necessarily aggressive dogs, but reactivity can turn into aggression, so your attention to training becomes extremely important.
Resist the urge to run.
Most dogs that charge at a person don't intend to bite them, even when the dog is mean or aggressive. However, if you start to run, the dog's predatory instincts will kick in and it will most likely chase you. If you're running or jogging when the dog begins to chase you, stop immediately.
Predatory Aggression.
Aggression directed toward typically another animal, yet occasionally a person, which is motivated by the desire to hunt, capture, kill, and consume species viewed as prey. Predatory aggression is typically silent or absent of vocalizations and the bite is often damaging or uninhibited.
Chase: German Shepherd
German Shepherds are notorious work dogs, often within police departments, so it makes sense that this animated canine, a cop, is a German Shepherd.
Chasing refers to continued gambling in an attempt to recoup previous losses and is one of the diagnostic criteria for gambling disorder. However, research on the topic is still in its infancy. This study investigated whether chasing behavior mediates the relationship between time perspective and gambling severity.
It's a common and natural way for him to communicate his needs and wants. These body signals can sometimes mean different things depending on your dog's breed, but many times they're learned behaviors from everyday interactions between you and your pooch.
Stay calm – Don't scream and don't run – It's important to stay calm in a dog attack. Your body language should tell the dog that you are not a threat, and it will be less likely to attack you. Do not run away or scream in a panicked way if you can help it as it will incite the prey drive of the attacking dog.
Zoomies is generally caused by a build-up of excess energy which is then released in one short burst. Don't worry though, it's a completely natural behaviour. It's most common in and generally occurs less and less as they get older. But that's not to say it'll stop entirely – many older dogs will still have FRAPs!
A stressful environment, loud noises from a thunderstorm, or separation issues can cause your dog to be unsettled. Neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's Disease or senility can cause your dog to pace unknowingly and be very restless.
Today, most dogs do not need to hunt to eat. Yet just the sound, scent or sight of a moving object can trigger the prey drive in dogs.
Frisbee and Fetch
Playing Frisbee is a perfect activity to excite and exercise the prey mind in your dog. Sunny days are the best for this activity because it requires you to be outside. Like other high prey drive activities, playing fetch is a low-cost activity that you can play anytime you have free time.
Mimic the Hunting Experience Before Walks
Playing fetch or frisbee to mimic flying prey. Investing in self-propelled toys that resemble small animals' movements. Playing an outdoor game of hide and seek with scented toys or fragrant treats. Letting your dog chase a flirt pole or teaser stick in the backyard.
When your dog chases, they aren't trying to scare or annoy you — they're just responding to a very natural urge. The good thing is that training, games, and sports are a great way to channel your dog's chase into behaviors that are safe and fun for both of you.
Breeds that have been systematically bred to pursue, chase, or hunt are more likely to exhibit behaviors labeled under the term "prey drive." For underprepared owners, not recognizing and addressing these potential behaviors in their dog's breed could lead to trouble.