Course Details
This class is for the dogs who just cannot ignore the scent, sight and/or sound of prey animals or birds, making walks with them difficult to enjoy. Prey drive is one of the fundamental parts of making dogs who they are. In modern dog breeds, selective breeding of dogs for different roles has aimed to create specialist dogs who can perform vital roles for people. Much of the breeding focus is on increasing some parts of the predatory motor sequence and reducing others.
During this class we will explore what predatory behaviour is, why it is so vital for many dogs and why it so often becomes a problem in companion dogs.
The class will help you understand what it is about prey that really floats your dog's boat. With that knowledge, the rest of the class will explore different ways of using that knowledge to work with your dog's prey drive rather than against it. Armed with that knowledge, you will be able to make informed judgments about what to use as reinforcement to improve your dog's ability to focus on you. You will also be able to understand and appreciate your dog more and plan for successful walks easily.
The focus for the class will be improving outdoor time with predatory dogs.
Teaching Approach
There is a lot of theory in this class. Prey drive has many components. Understanding these is crucial for enjoying relaxing hikes in nature.
Lectures are released once a week. Lectures will consist of a mix of written content and video demonstrations of written descriptions.
My feedback for gold students will be detailed and supportive. Predatory preferences for each dog will vary, as will the lifestyle and outdoor areas for each team. The lecture content and feedback are tailored to help each team develop skills and knowledge appropriate for their unique situation.