Chasing is in your dog's repertoire of natural behaviors, and a rousing game of chase undoubtedly makes for a fun way to exercise your pup. However, you have to choose the right time and place to do it, because if you engage in a game of chase at an inopportune moment, you could stir up trouble.
Chasing squirrels is particularly common for breeds of dogsbreeds of dogsA purebred dog is a dog of a modern breed of dog, with written documentation showing the individual purebred dog's descent from its breeds' foundation stock. with instinctive desires to hunt. They get the scent of a little critter like a squirrel and Mother Nature takes over. Small breeds of dogs, like Terriers, are natural born hunters, but in many situations, uncontrolled chasing can have unhappy consequences.
Boxers can have very strong prey drive, albeit packaged within a sweet temperament. With their heritage as a hunting dog, Boxers have been selectively bred for their prey drive, which is the powerful natural instinct to pursue and catch fast-moving animals, or objects.
If being chased is one of your dog's favorite games, they are not alone. Lots of dogs love to be chased and can play this way for hours. However, maybe you are tired of simply running and following your dog around and are looking for something else to keep them entertained.
Canines and felines love chasing lasers because they move. The movement stimulates their inner predator (no wonder smaller prey like rats stop moving when hunted). Dogs, in particular, have very light-sensitive eyes, which explains their acuity.
Dogs love to chase birds whatever species they might be. Whether they are in the park, in the garden or leaving paw prints in the sand on a beachfront while running after a squawking seagull, they enjoy it.
The Root of the Behavior If your dog is a water dog, you may have seen them biting water, barking, and having a great time playing. You may have even encouraged their water play, since chasing the hose or swimming fetch make great exercise opportunities for your pet, especially during the summer months.
Catching flies can be an innocuous habit or a symptom of a more serious condition, depending on your dog's specific behavior. If you're concerned, discuss it with your vet. But whether it floats like a butterfly or stings like a bee, chasing bugs might just be a fun game your dog employs to stave off boredom.
Many breeds have been used to herd livestock and it is something that comes naturally to them. If they perceive the vacuum as a disobedient animal, your pup may go into herding mode. Asserting this instinct to herd can lead to what appears to be an aggressive attack.
Oftentimes, dogs will chase their tails because they are a bit bored; it's a way for them to have fun and expend some energy. This is especially true for puppies, who may not even realize that their tail is actually a part of their body, but see it as a toy. Generally, as dogs age, this kind of play dies down.
When a dog chases a cat, it is usually because they are following their instincts – particularly if your dog is a breed originally used for chasing or herding. Other times, when a dog chases cats, they might just want to play, and they will chase a cat a little like they will chase a ball that has been thrown for them.
They chase their tails, providing physical exertion with a side of entertainment. For dogs who are not getting enough daily physical activity, there is a simple solution to tail chasing. If owners engage their dogs in more aerobic exercise by tossing a ball or taking a walk, the tail chasing may cease.
While it's uncommon for dogs to eat bunnies, doing so is part of the natural life cycle. Dogs also love to chase rabbits for fun as it enables them to release pent up energy. To prevent this, you'll need to train your dog as a puppy to ignore bunnies or distract them by using treats and commands.
Although humans may not quite understand it, for dogs, chasing is an instinct. For dogs, moving vehicles may be an annoyance, a thrill or something else entirely, but one thing is for sure: It sparks that natural instinct in which a dog recognizes the vehicle as prey they must run after and capture.
Chasing squirrels is particularly common for breeds of dogs with instinctive desires to hunt. They get the scent of a little critter like a squirrel and Mother Nature takes over. Small breeds of dogs, like Terriers, are natural born hunters, but in many situations, uncontrolled chasing can have unhappy consequences.