How to Tell If a Dog Is Aggressive or Prey Driven?

Dogs have four basic internal drive mechanisms that act to help them to survive in the wild. Domesticated dogs often have stronger or weaker degrees of these drives. A dog can be prey driven, rank driven, pack driven or defense driven. Your dog's personality will be a composite of these primary drives that push him into action. It's important to understand your dog's dominant drives if you are going to handle him effectively.

Things You'll Need

  • An assistant
  • An open practice field
  • Squeaky fetch toy
  • Note pad and pen to record behaviors
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Instructions

    • 1

      Sit your dog beside you on a practice field. Have an assistant throw a favorite squeaky toy in front of the dog. Is the dog visibly excited by the thrown object? Do his eyes follow the movement? Does it stalk other animals, pounce on toys or objects in the grass. Is his bark high-pitched or excited? Does it steal garbage and food, shake and "kill" squeaky toys, wolf food or carry things around in its mouth. Does it dig and bury things? A prey-driven dog may be affectionate and good-natured but appear aggressive when pursuing target objects. A truly aggressive dog may ignore a squirrel or rabbit running by, but a prey-driven dog never will.

    • 2

      Observe and note defensive and fighting aggression. Does the dog stand its ground when confronted by a stranger or unusual sound? Does it play tug-of-war to win -- nipping if you pull away the object? An aggressive dog is one that has a deep-throated growl and one that raises fur on the back of his neck when showing territorial behavior toward anything that invades his space. It may dislike being petted or groomed and fight with other dogs. An aggressive fight-driven dog is not a good dog around small children, the elderly or timid owners.

    • 3

      Watch your dog for signs of fear-driven behavior. Does he run away from new sounds, animals or people? Does he hide behind you when stressed and tremble or whine. If you fuss at him he cowers or turns over on his back? Does your dog hide when you call, act anxious when groomed or when a stranger approaches. Does the dog bite when cornered or nip ankles and run away or urinate on the floor? Nervous temperament dogs have probably experienced abuse or erratic training.

    • 4

      Observe your dog for pack-driven behavior. Does he get along well and play with other dogs and people? Does he hate being left alone; enjoy being groomed and petted? Does it jump on visitors or follow you around the house? Such dogs are satisfied with their position in the pack. Aggressive behavior will mirror the pack's level of aggression, not its own.

    • 5

      Observe and note rank-driven behaviors such as nipping excited at rowdy dogs or children. The aggression is corrective in nature; a disciplinary nip towards an out-of-rank pack member. If an owner or higher-ranking human shows weakness such as lying on the floor, being sad or sick, the rank-driven dog may make an attempt to increase his rank by attacking the perceived weak pack member. These dogs can be dangerous to their families.