Thinking of adopting a dog with high prey drive

[clopez]

I am thinking of adopting a two year old male dog that has been surrendered to the local Humane Society. He's a squirrel and cat chaser. From what the owners have described to the behaviorist and counselor, they have diagnosed the dog with a high prey drive and escape behavior for squirrels and cats. I have met him once and will meet him again and introduce him to my 5 year old female boxer tomorrow. If they get along, I will give it go. My first walks, I will hire a dog walker to help since it's just 110 pound me walking the dogs. Any advice? I was painted a worst case scenario for this dog and that he will need lifelong management. When we were introduced, he greeted me enthusiastically and seemed happy and friendly despite his circumstance. He was curious and when I walked him he was looking at other dogs being walked and the behaviorist and counselor felt he was too focused on other dogs as well and it might lead to predatory drift. All new terms I'm learning about. To me it looked like typical doggie behavior. Need advice.

 

[kathysboxer]

I'm sorry, no advice. Just wanted to say congrats on your new baby. Hope all goes well and will send "good behavior" vibes.

 

[Indy's mom]

I'm so glad that you've at least been given a 'heads up'. It's clear from your post that you realize you could have quite a challenge on your hands. I think you're very smart to work with a walker when you first take the dogs to go walking. I would also encourage you to go to dog classes with both the new male and your established female. If you feel there is a problem, call a behaviorist sooner than later.

I wish you all the luck in the world with your new baby. I'm sure that going into the situation with your eyes wide open and taking a pro-active approach can only benefit all of you. Good luck!

 

[BrownieMom]

I can totally sympathize. Brownie has an extremely high prey drive and gets very distracted by other dogs. She pulled me down in the middle of the street the first week we had her---just to chase after a squirrel.

Needless to say, you have to be hyper-aware of your surroundings. This doesn't mean avoiding dogs, cats, or squirrels. It just means that you have to prepare yourself mentally and physically to deal with whatever happens. I try hard not to project anger, fearfulness, tension, etc when I'm holding her leash. I just continue forward on the walk and don't let her distract me (except to give her corrections).

We're still using a padded nylon leash and collar, and she seems to be doing a big better about pulling---although she still catches me off guard at times. I'm not sure what the answer is. I wish I could give you better advice. The thing I need help with the most, at times, is patience. It's hard for me to not get frustrated with her.

 

[Lola's mum]

Lola has a high prey drive, she's ok with cats but that's probably because we have two of our own. She can't be let off lead anymore though, she gets a scent and she's off like a Greyhound :( That's the only downside.

 

[bucca]

spanky has a terrible high prey drive( chloe didnt) he goes after squirrels, chipmunks and cats. its a really hard habit to break and at i feel so sorry for my cat at times. twice now he has almost pulled my shoulder out while seeing a chipmunk cross out path while walking(luckily he wears a harness, at least for me, i have more control that way over him) good luck.

 

[phonodel]

I sure am glad you were at least warned. I tried adopting a rescue about ten years ago. A beautiful Fawn named Sugar Ray. He was a love. Bonded instantly with my children especially my son. He was at a shelter because the owner was unable to keep him any longer. Apparently she had lost her place to live and was staying with her Grandmother. I had a cat (8yrs old) so the first thing I asked was "how was he with cats". The shelter explained to me that the owner said he was fine with cats and that her Grandmother had one. I brought him home and boy it seemed like he wanted to kill my cat! I thought it might just take time and felt she could fend for herself jumping etc... I was sooo wrong. Sugar corned her one day and as graphic as it may sound, ripped her open in the abdominal area. We rushed her to emergency and she did recover thank god but it was extrenmely costly. I called the shelter the next day and sadly told them I would have to bring the dog back. When I arrived they told me that they had contacted the previous owner and she told them that he was fine with her Grandmothers cat but that the Grandma kept the cat locked in her room!!! Can you belive it. I was so angry. For one, my poor cat had to endure the trauma and the dog loved us. He bonded with us. It was so unfair to him to have to once again uproot him and send him back to the shelter to start all over again. I never did keep in contact with the shelter(wish I had) I would love to know that dear Suger Ray was adopted to a nice family without cats. It must of been torture for him as well being in the same household with what he deemed prey. So, at least you are aware of this. I wish you luck!!! My new baby Jager has a pretty good instinct for the small rodents but he loves our cats! They sleep together.My other boy, a dachshund also has a high prey instinct for squirrels and gophers but he is much easier to control

 

[clopez]

No adoption afterall

Many thanks for all your replies and advice. Turns out Nelson had more issues than just high prey drive. He didn't get along with other dogs so well. Bad canine manners. Stared my Lulu down and it seemed like he didn't know how to socialize. Poor thing. We tried twice and it was not going to happen. Lulu wanted nothing to do with him and stayed close by my side. Lulu is usually an overly social dog and gets along with all dogs. Nelson needs a very experienced boxer mom/dad and needs to be the only dog in the house. Hopefully he is blessed with a home but from what I have witnessed it probably would be a miracle.