Dogs that chase other animals believe they've discovered the most delightful sport in the world. The problem is, in most cases, it's not so delightful for the other animals or the people involved. Some dogs attack other animals, carrying them in their mouths, or even biting the poor creatures. To these dogs, it's all about hunting, capturing, and killing. For them, it's instinctive.
Some dogs, especially herding breeds like Border Collies and Corgis, have a genetic inclination to chase after things. Once they catch up with another animal, they'll direct it in a specific direction. For these dogs, chasing is second nature.
What Should We Do?
If your dog enjoys chasing other animals to an extent where it becomes dangerous, and it doesn't respond to your stop commands, you need to change its target. Spend some time encouraging your dog to chase a ball instead of other animals, teaching it that harassing other animals is not acceptable.
Obedience training can help your dog understand you're its leader. So, when you issue "stop" or "release" commands, it's more likely to listen. In the early stages of training, consider using an electronic training collar on your dog. This way, when it starts chasing something, you can stop it. After your dog stops, make it look at you, command it to "come," and lure it back to your side with some tasty treats. The goal here is to elevate your status through commands while providing positive reinforcement for returning to you.
Find ways to limit your dog's access to its targets, especially if it has a strong instinct to chase prey. City parks often have squirrels, so when you walk through those areas, use an electronic training collar, a leash, or a harness. Or limit it to dog parks, where squirrels are less likely to appear.
In organized dog sports, channel its chasing drive so your dog can safely follow its instincts, like using fast-moving mechanical objects to guide them in timed agility courses.
