Prey drive – is there a seasonal cycle?

(2 Posts)
gymmummy64 Mon 21-Jan-13 23:44:18

I got gymdog last September, he's 18mo +, so not a puppy . He seems to have a sky-high prey drive, loves a chase and seems to have 'discovered' different prey types since I've had him. To start with in the autumn it was squirrels that got the attention and his back legs quivering and him switching into feral unreachable mode. He then seemed to discover rabbits - lots of hedgerows which hadn't been a focus before - followed by foxes, far bigger ranges, so quite different behaviour. In the last 5 weeks or so it's been water birds. We have walked by a river loads of times in the time I've had him, but he?s never really taken much notice. Over these 5 weeks, ducks which were very exciting initially have become quite dull also-rans. Moorhens on the other hand are currently leg tremblingly awesome and really the best thing anyone invented ever. Moorhens?? Small, inoffensive and shy?

From what I've been told my gymdog lived in the country so I don't think it's the first time he's experienced all this stuff - so is it seasonal? Will we be back to squirrel obsession once they all reappear in the spring? Are Moorhens much more attractive in January? Are we just working through lots of prey types because my dog did not in fact not live in the country at all but in a flat or a cave? I'm quite confused !

IncognitoIsMyFavouriteWord Thu 24-Jan-13 00:06:15

Is he a terrier?

If so it may not be what the prey is , just that its prey.

Nearly all terriers were originally bread to chase, kill catch. It is a natural instinct for them.

It takes a lot of training and also knowing your dog and knowing where he can be trusted smile

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