Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 7 hours ago
Your dog isn’t necessarily ignoring you when a squirrel takes off running.
That sudden chase can come from prey drive, an instinct triggered by fast movement and rooted in hunting behavior that still exists in many dogs today.
For some breeds, that instinct can be even stronger because they were specifically developed to chase small animals.
That’s why training around wildlife takes practice and consistency. Sometimes what looks like stubbornness is really biology taking over in the moment.
Understanding the instinct behind the behavior helps you understand what you’re actually training against.
Follow for more dog training tips.
Your dog isn’t necessarily ignoring you when a squirrel takes off running.
That sudden chase can come from prey drive, an instinct triggered by fast movement and rooted in hunting behavior that still exists in many dogs today.
For some breeds, that instinct can be even stronger because they were specifically developed to chase small animals.
That’s why training around wildlife takes practice and consistency. Sometimes what looks like stubbornness is really biology taking over in the moment.
Understanding the instinct behind the behavior helps you understand what you’re actually training against.
Follow for more dog training tips.
