I do not understand this train of thought. As I understand it, prey drive is the dogs genetic instinct to chase, catch, kill and then carry prey back to their den. This manifests itself when a dog barks to get it's prey to move so it can chase and once caught shake it to death (if small enough). Nothing is about play or domination in this instinct, and to take it further the drive normally is higher with an empty belly. Yes our dogs are domesticated and do not need to hunt for their dinner, but that does not mean the genetic instinct is not present. Now, it may be true that for dogs that are lower in prey drive and natural aggression once they catch the prey they will not know what to do with it unless the behavior is taught or cultivated but I do not know of any seperation between prey aggression and prey drive. To be a predator is to be aggressive, you need to kill in order to survive.
With dogs that are high in prey drive control is the only way to handle them around small animals. No, there may never be a time that you can just not worry about her chasing without intervention, but you can make her understand that she needs to listen to you regardless of stimuli - including prey.
With dogs that are high in prey drive control is the only way to handle them around small animals. No, there may never be a time that you can just not worry about her chasing without intervention, but you can make her understand that she needs to listen to you regardless of stimuli - including prey.