Understanding and Managing Prey Drive
Prey drive refers to an animal’s natural desire to chase and kill prey animals for food.
This exists in many animals and all breeds of dogs but in dogs is more evident in sight hounds (including greyhounds). It is also referred to as ‘predatory behaviour’ or ‘predation’, and mostly occurs when the dog is relaxed and in a positive mental state.
Prey drive is a very different behaviour to aggression which is usually anxiety or fear-based; where the dog is in a negative mental state. In the cases the aggression is a protective mechanism.
Many greyhounds have excellent skills when interacting with other greyhounds but may have limited or no experience with dogs of other breeds. As a result, some greyhounds become highly excited when they first meet dogs that don’t look, smell and act like greyhounds. Occasionally, a greyhound displays misdirected predatory behaviour towards other dogs, particularly small dogs or dogs with long coats; this behaviour is both socially inappropriate and unsafe.
It is important to understand that your greyhound may be well behaved with your other pets that it knows well and has a bond with; but can show predatory behaviour towards other unfamiliar small animals in different environments, such as at the park.
All GAP greyhounds are temperament tested and assessed for predatory behaviour towards small dogs. While this is the case, this assessment is done at a point in time and it is possible that prey-drive could present at a later date. As such, it is important that greyhound owners understand how to recognise signs of prey-drive.
Common predatory behaviours towards a small animal include:
- fixation and staring while at a distance;
- stalking or tracking while approaching or following the small animal;
- nose bunting, pawing, lunging, chasing, grabbing, hovering above or over the shoulder and neck area of the small animal; and
- signs of high arousal including upright and tense posture, teeth chattering and drooling, quickening of movement, and an upright stiff tail that is wagging quickly.
If you observe your greyhound displaying any of these behaviours, you should contact GAP on (03) 5799 0166 for advice.
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Meet our dogs ready for adoption
All greyhounds adopted from GAP are de-sexed, vaccinated, microchipped, wormed and health checked.
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Sins
Amy
Katelyn ARP
Katelyn is a lovely, sweet and confident girl who is so excited for her forever home that she has her bags packed! She may be happy to live in a home with or without another robust medium or large canine companion and children aged 10 years or older. She may be happy to live with full time workers.
Vinny
Marley ARP
Are you looking for a mature greyhound who may be happy to live with a smaller dog? Marley might be your lady! She is super sweet, friendly, and outgoing, and has all the love to give. Marley may be happiest in a home with children 10 years and over and might suit living with full time workers.
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). We have behavioural and health assessed this lovely dog, and they will remain with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting this particular dog, and not other dogs currently in our care.
Mr D ARP
Hi! I’m Mr D! What’s that you say!? I’m handsome? Well, there is so much more to love about me than my handsome looks but ill point out my shiny coat, awesome pointy ears and a tail that winds up like a helicopter but most importantly I am a real sweet, friendly and fun boy that is always up for an adventure. I think I might be ok to live with children 10 and over or maybe even another medium or larger play buddy!
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP).We have behavioural and health assessed this lovely dog, and they will remain with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting this particular dog, and not other dogs currently in our care.
Gus (Bonded with Oran)
Oran (bonded with Gus)
Reindeer ARP
She may not be leading Santa’s sleigh like Rudolf but this quiet achiever is still just as important! She is a shy girl that we think will come out of her shell in a home that understands she just needs time to learn how to be a pet and patience to go at her pace. A quieter home with children 15 and over that are respectful of her boundaries maybe ok and somewhere with a nice yard that she can go and relax in. She may also benefit from a male friend that is medium or larger to help her transition into pet life. This lovely dog is not suitable for a home with cats.
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). We have behavioural and health assessed this lovely dog, and they will remain with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting this particular dog, and not other dogs currently in our care.
Bellatrix