Can prey drive be reactivated?

Whit223 · 11-24-2011, 12:11 PM

My former GSD, a female, had a very strong prey drive. She would lunge at small creatures, people who looked shady, she would bark ferociously out the window at bypassers, assert herself as dominant with other dogs, etc. No fear.

My current GSD, a 2yr old male, seems to be very playful and occassionally will chase my dachshund. But as far as being truly prey driven, it seems he's missing the mark. He doesn't really get too vocal. He';s interested in squirrels but not enough to lunge after them. He seems to shy away from people. He is a rescue although he showed no signs of abuse or neglect, and his health was fantastic.

The thing that likely did it was the fact that as soon as the shelter got him, he was neutered. He has since been showing decreased prey drive as is normal with neutered males. My question is, can it be reactivated? Are there techniques to sparking it back up? The reason I'd like a bit more drive in him, is often i am at home alone and i'd like to think he would be vocal or show some sort of anxiousness if ever there was a threat.

If not, I'm sure he would be enough to look deterring, he is all black with a huge head and paws. But i thought i'd ask the forum what they thought.

BR870 · 11-24-2011, 12:16 PM

I'm not sure that neutering decreases prey drive. It may decrease sex hormone related aggression (not always), but I don't believe I have ever heard of it decreasing prey drive...

Anyway, prey drive is not what is going to make them respond to a threat... That is defense drive

Emoore · 11-24-2011, 12:18 PM

Well. . . . barking at strangers, deterring a threat. . . those aren't really prey drive; they're more defense drive. You can increase prey drive with a flirtpole, but that's not going to increase defense. To work on defense you'd want to get into something like Schutzhund, Protection Sports, SDA, etc.

One thing I'm confused about with your post-- you knew the dog before he went to the shelter?

Whit223 · 11-24-2011, 12:19 PM

How do i know if he has that kind of drive>

Emoore · 11-24-2011, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whit223

How do i know if he has that kind of drive>

Your best bet would be to have him tested at a Schutzhund, PSA, or SDA club. Or talk to a Personal Protection trainer.

Whit223 · 11-24-2011, 12:22 PM

No, i didn't know him before the shelter. He had an assessment done AT the shelter. He showed no signs of neglect or abuse. The shying away from people is more a thing he's developed while being with me, but its only certain people. And i cant find a pattern.

Emoore · 11-24-2011, 12:34 PM

He may just be genetically a little shyer or weak-nerved. This is incredibly common in the German Shepherd breed. How long have you had him? It may take a little time to settle in and become protective of you and his territory. In my experience, most dogs take a few months to claim a new home and family as their own.

11-24-2011, 12:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
Whit223 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 35	Can prey drive be reactivated? My former GSD, a female, had a very strong prey drive. She would lunge at small creatures, people who looked shady, she would bark ferociously out the window at bypassers, assert herself as dominant with other dogs, etc. No fear. My current GSD, a 2yr old male, seems to be very playful and occassionally will chase my dachshund. But as far as being truly prey driven, it seems he's missing the mark. He doesn't really get too vocal. He';s interested in squirrels but not enough to lunge after them. He seems to shy away from people. He is a rescue although he showed no signs of abuse or neglect, and his health was fantastic. The thing that likely did it was the fact that as soon as the shelter got him, he was neutered. He has since been showing decreased prey drive as is normal with neutered males. My question is, can it be reactivated? Are there techniques to sparking it back up? The reason I'd like a bit more drive in him, is often i am at home alone and i'd like to think he would be vocal or show some sort of anxiousness if ever there was a threat. If not, I'm sure he would be enough to look deterring, he is all black with a huge head and paws. But i thought i'd ask the forum what they thought. __________________ GSD Britney, Retired Clermont Police Dept 2008 GSD Aleksander (Sascha) 2 years old "Many men have forgotten this, but you must not forget it. You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed."

11-24-2011, 12:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
BR870 Master Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 828	I'm not sure that neutering decreases prey drive. It may decrease sex hormone related aggression (not always), but I don't believe I have ever heard of it decreasing prey drive... Anyway, prey drive is not what is going to make them respond to a threat... That is defense drive __________________ Rob Ezra von der Rennbahn Princess Abigail "Abbie" Kai (RIP) Loki (RIP)

11-24-2011, 12:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
Emoore Crowned Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North DFW, TX Posts: 9,215	Well. . . . barking at strangers, deterring a threat. . . those aren't really prey drive; they're more defense drive. You can increase prey drive with a flirtpole, but that's not going to increase defense. To work on defense you'd want to get into something like Schutzhund, Protection Sports, SDA, etc. One thing I'm confused about with your post-- you knew the dog before he went to the shelter? __________________ Rocky vom Backyard- 10 years young Kopper vom Felssclucht Bach - 17 months At the Bridge: Cash van der Animal Shelter 2006-2010

11-24-2011, 12:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
Whit223 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 35	How do i know if he has that kind of drive> __________________ GSD Britney, Retired Clermont Police Dept 2008 GSD Aleksander (Sascha) 2 years old "Many men have forgotten this, but you must not forget it. You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed."

11-24-2011, 12:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
Whit223 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 35	No, i didn't know him before the shelter. He had an assessment done AT the shelter. He showed no signs of neglect or abuse. The shying away from people is more a thing he's developed while being with me, but its only certain people. And i cant find a pattern. __________________ GSD Britney, Retired Clermont Police Dept 2008 GSD Aleksander (Sascha) 2 years old "Many men have forgotten this, but you must not forget it. You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed."

11-24-2011, 12:34 PM	#7 (permalink)
Emoore Crowned Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North DFW, TX Posts: 9,215	He may just be genetically a little shyer or weak-nerved. This is incredibly common in the German Shepherd breed. How long have you had him? It may take a little time to settle in and become protective of you and his territory. In my experience, most dogs take a few months to claim a new home and family as their own. __________________ Rocky vom Backyard- 10 years young Kopper vom Felssclucht Bach - 17 months At the Bridge: Cash van der Animal Shelter 2006-2010

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