Most dog breeds have an innate desire to chase and hunt other animals. Scolding or punishing them for something that comes naturally to a dog or any animal is just wrong.

best dog trainers Sarasota

What you can do is regulate that behavior.

Keep in mind that patience and repetition are the keys to success. To make sure your dog doesn’t chase animals outside, you need first to train him inside the house. You can use a verbal command like stay or leave it to cue your dog to stop.

Obviously, your dog needs to be trained in basic commands like no and sit before this step.

Diverting Attention

As soon as your dogs see a moving squirrel their prey drive kicks in, and it’s your job to act before that. Call your dog’s name and make him look at you over and over again.

You can reinforce this behavior with treats. It will ensure that when you are on your walks, your dog will stop eyeing the squirrel and look at you. While the dog looks at you and gets his treat, hopefully, the squirrel will have enough time to escape.

You can also throw the treat in a different direction, so the dog chases the treat instead of the squirrel. You can practice this by placing something desirable around your dog.

Right after the dog notices it, you can say leave it firmly and give a treat when he does.

Next time when you go for a walk using this command as soon as you see your dog straying. Once again it requires a lot of practice

Managing Time and Hunger

Your dog is less likely to hunt after critters if he is already full.

Your dog is less likely to hunt after critters if he is already full. Click to Tweet

Make sure that before going for a walk your dog has had a filling meal and does not feel the need to find sustenance in other living creatures. You can also schedule your walks at a more suitable time.

Usually, the birds and squirrels are more active during early mornings and around the time sun sets. Try to walk your dog during the early afternoon.

Managing Energy

Most dogs have a lot of energy and being cooped up inside the house doesn’t provide many chances of using it. It only makes sense that your dog gets overexcited every time you go out. Engage in games and come up with activities for your dog.

Make sure that he has had enough play time for the day and hunting just won’t have its appeal anymore.

Hunting and running come naturally to a dog, you can’t control it, but you can redirect it. You can help your dogs to control it themselves with proper K9 training. This training requires lots of repetition even after your dog understands what you mean.

So, don’t forget to have daily revision sessions so that your dog doesn’t get out of the habit. Even five minutes a day can be enough. Love and affection are the only ways you can truly train your dog.

Research has proven that most dogs prefer affection over treats. Therefore, shower your best friend with lots of love every time they behave and then bring in the treats as their reward.