DRIVES & COMMON BEHAVIOR ISSUES

WHAT DRIVE IS YOUR DOG OPERATING IN?

There are three main drives that domestic dogs operate in: pack, prey, and defense. These drives are the motivation behind the development of the most common behavioral problems.

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PACK DRIVE

Some common behavioral problems derived from too high of a pack drive are:

  • Separation anxiety

  • Guarding of pack members (human & canine)

  • A constant need of attention from pack members

Dogs with a low pack drive tend to be very aloof. A low pack drive makes training much harder, as these dogs are not as easily motivated to listen to their handlers.

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PREY DRIVE

SOME UNWANTED BEHAVIORS THAT STEM FROM OPERATING WITH A HIGH PREY DRIVE ARE:

  • Chasing of fast-moving objects, including people and animals

  • Pulling on leash

  • Digging

  • Poor off-leash obedience

  • Scavenging

  • Tracking

  • Leash reactivity

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DEFENSE DRIVE

Dogs with a high defense drive are very guarded of their space. This insecurity with approaching threats sends them into fight or flight mode. A high defense drive can cause:

  • Hypersensitivity to play sessions

  • Reactivity to approaching people, animals, and objects. This reactivity is typically expressed through lunging, barking, cowering, or trying to flee the scene.

  • Sensitivity to noise

  • Territorial barking

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