PREDATORY DRIFT - Often referred to as PREY DRIVE. This manifests in an instinct that's referred to as SEEKING.
This is a behaviour that larger dogs can suddenly switch into when seemingly playing with smaller dogs & is down to in a great degree to an excess of dopamine rushing through the system due to some neurological & also environmental factors.
SEEKING behaviour is dopamine-driven and supports the predatory motor pattern (PMP) of that dog. It is not the ‘reward’ or ‘reinforcement’ that is important it is the ‘SEEKING’ part of the behaviour pattern. SEEKING can be involved with other systems specifically those within the emotional systems. A dog that is seeking (think of the Labrador after that bit of sausage you threw in the bushes) is highly motivated, highly enthusiastic, as it supports the dog’s exploration and has a high amount of curiosity.
It may happen when the little dog makes a squeal, it may be through frustration because they can not catch the little dog or just generally an increased arousal during PLAY.
PLAY circuitry is switched off and SEEKING is switched on.
There are often the signals of a change in body language from the above play behaviours to some of the following:
• Lip-licking
• Intense staring
• Fixed mouth
• Forward movement of the body
• Paw lift
• Breathing change
• Stiff tail
• Ears are forward and stiff
• Stillness
• Mouth and face are usually stiff although the tongue may be out it is not soft spooned at the end
• It may involve a down watch behaviour in preparation for the chase. Sometimes it may involve a sit and head curved over behaviour.
When the switch happens, a dog in SEEKING is NOT emotional, it is aroused but NOT emotional. this is where a dog does not recall...and just focuses on the PREY!
As a contrast to these here are typical PLAY behaviours & how they manifest.
• Play signals that are used throughout the PLAY session such as happy play face, play bow.
• Larger exaggerated movements – you see this with the puppies that jump and lunge.
• Very loose face and body physiology
• Fragmented incomplete behaviours
• Use of other objects such as the chasing of play objects.
• Quick responses to the situation that seem very reflexive.
So if your dog ever displays any of the Prey Driven behaviours, seeking etc then you may want to consider the following:
PRECAUTIONS
• Positively introduce the muzzle. A Baskerville Muzzle that is introduced using reward-based learning is beneficial to avoid the dog using their teeth. (Chirag Patel has a great video for this)
• Use a harness and a long line for control in a situation where you may come across, game or small dogs.
• Practice recall and proof it.
• Avoid instances of leaving family or familial dogs together without supervision. If needs be use either pen, crate or another room for the dog to relax and rest in when the carers are not present.
• Don't punish aggression directly, it exacerbates the problem. Allow a consequence, an end of play, time out, total disengagement etc
So observe your large dogs around smaller dogs - it is vital that you as an owner are aware of this switch and to look out for the change that is evident in their body language.
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