From Chasing to Chewing: How Instinct Shapes Everyday Behaviour

Many common dog behaviour struggles—pulling on the lead, chasing wildlife, chewing, barking, digging, or overexcitement—are often approached as problems that simply need to be “stopped.”

But what if many of these behaviours are actually normal, instinctive behaviours that dogs are biologically driven to perform?

Understanding the difference between instinctive and learned behaviour can completely change how we approach training and behaviour management. More importantly, it can improve your dog’s welfare, reduce frustration, and strengthen the relationship between dog and owner.

At Poochwise, i believe successful behaviour management starts with understanding why dogs behave the way they do—not simply suppressing behaviour when it becomes inconvenient.

Why Instinctive Behaviour Matters

Dogs are born with natural behavioural tendencies. These instinctive behaviours are deeply rooted in genetics and have developed over generations.

Some instinctive behaviours include:

• Chasing

• Retrieving

• Herding

• Scent tracking

• Digging

• Chewing

• Social interaction

• Searching for food

These behaviours are not “bad” behaviours. In fact, many are completely normal and biologically rewarding for dogs.

For example, dogs are naturally social animals. Most dogs instinctively seek companionship, interaction, and shared activities with both humans and other dogs. When guardians provide appropriate opportunities for social interaction, play, exploration, and enrichment, dogs are often calmer, more fulfilled, and easier to live with.

However, problems can arise when instinctive behaviours are consistently prevented, punished, or suppressed.

Research suggests that preventing natural behaviours and relying heavily on punishment-based methods can negatively affect both welfare and the human–dog relationship (Fernandes et al., 2017).

The Risks of Punishment-Based Behaviour Management

For many years, dog training often focused on suppressing behaviour rather than understanding it.

Unfortunately, dogs who regularly experience punishment-based training methods are more likely to develop anxiety, fear, and even aggression-related behaviours (Herron et al., 2009).

This is because punishment may stop a behaviour temporarily without addressing the underlying emotional or biological motivation behind it.

For example:

• A dog may stop barking because they fear being shouted at

• A dog may stop growling because they have been punished for warning signals

• A dog may stop reacting outwardly while still feeling stressed internally

Research has also shown that aversive training methods can damage trust and weaken the human–dog bond (Greenebaum, 2010).

This is why modern behavioural practice increasingly supports reward-based methods that prioritise emotional wellbeing, communication, and long-term learning (Rooney and Cowan, 2011).

Working With Instincts Instead of Against Them

One of the most effective ways to manage behaviour is to provide dogs with safe, appropriate outlets for their natural instincts.

Many instinctive behaviours are intrinsically rewarding for dogs (Burghardt et al., 2016). In simple terms, dogs enjoy performing them.

This means behaviour management often becomes easier when we redirect instinct rather than trying to eliminate it entirely.

For example:

• Dogs who enjoy searching can benefit from scent games

• Dogs who love chasing can channel this into structured play

• Retrieving breeds may enjoy fetch and carrying tasks

• Herding breeds may thrive in agility or trick training

Activities such as “find it” games encourage dogs to use their natural foraging and scenting instincts in productive ways (Nielsen et al., 2015).

Rather than constantly telling dogs what not to do, we begin showing them what they can do instead.

A Real-Life Example: Prey Drive and Behaviour Management

Prey drive is a perfect example of how instinctive behaviour influences everyday training.

Imagine a young Cocker Spaniel who lunges toward birds on walks. This behaviour is not necessarily “disobedience.” Spaniels were historically bred to flush and retrieve birds, so movement naturally triggers excitement and chasing instincts.

Punishing the lunging alone is unlikely to fully resolve the behaviour because the instinctive motivation remains.

Instead, a more effective approach might involve:

• Counter-conditioning around birds

• Reinforcing calm behaviour

• Teaching engagement with the handler

• Providing appropriate chase outlets such as flirt poles or tug games

By allowing the dog to safely fulfil aspects of their prey drive elsewhere, frustration is reduced and self-control becomes easier.

However, consistency matters.

If training and enrichment stop completely, instinctive behaviours often return because the biological drive itself has not disappeared. This highlights the importance of ongoing reinforcement and clear communication (Deldalle and Gaunet, 2014).

Breed Tendencies Are Guidelines—Not Guarantees

Breed characteristics can help us understand likely behavioural tendencies, but every dog is still an individual.

For example, Border Collies are often associated with intense herding instincts and high intelligence. Yet there are always exceptions.

A well-known example featured a Border Collie who showed no interest in herding sheep at all, despite being from strong working lines (The Dog House, 2022). Meanwhile, another collie from similar breeding lines sold for over £20,000 because of exceptional sheepdog ability (BBC, 2021).

This reminds us that breed tendencies are useful guidelines—not fixed rules.

Good behaviour management looks at the individual dog in front of us.

Matching Activities to the Dog

Understanding instinctive behaviour can help owners make better lifestyle and enrichment choices.

For example, a pet Border Collie living in a suburban family home may never herd sheep, but they may still need:

• Mental stimulation

• Physical exercise

• Problem-solving opportunities

• Structured training

Activities such as agility can provide excellent outlets for these needs.

Agility encourages:

• Focus

• Speed

• Responsiveness

• Coordination

• Teamwork with the handler

These activities mirror many of the skills herding dogs were bred for while providing safe, rewarding enrichment in a modern environment.

When training is delivered positively, these activities also strengthen trust and communication between dog and owner.

Why Positive Learning Matters

Learned behaviours are incredibly powerful.

Dogs can learn:

• Impulse control

• Recall

• Loose lead walking

• Calmness around distractions

• Appropriate play behaviours

• Emotional coping skills

Importantly, learned behaviours can often help dogs manage instinctive drives more successfully.

For example:

• A dog can learn to wait before eating

• A dog can learn not to chase wildlife

• A puppy can learn to chew toys instead of sleeves

But these behaviours are most successful when taught positively.

Reward-based learning helps dogs feel:

• Safe

• Motivated

• Confident

• Engaged in the training process

Dogs trained with positive reinforcement and low-conflict methods are often more emotionally stable, confident, and resilient overall.

The Bigger Picture: Welfare and Relationship Building

At its core, behaviour management is not just about stopping unwanted behaviour.

It is about:

• Meeting emotional needs

• Understanding natural instincts

• Creating clear communication

• Building trust

• Supporting long-term welfare

Dogs who are given safe outlets for instinctive behaviours—and who are taught learned behaviours through positive reinforcement—are more likely to become calm, confident companions.

When dogs understand the world around them and feel safe within it, behaviour improves naturally.

Final Thoughts

Instinctive behaviours are not flaws that need to be removed. They are part of what makes dogs who they are.

The goal of modern behaviour management should not be to suppress natural behaviour through force or punishment, but to guide it appropriately through understanding, enrichment, and ethical training.

When we combine:

• Appropriate outlets for instinctive behaviour

• Positive reinforcement training

• Consistency

• Clear communication

• Respect for the individual dog

…we create happier dogs, stronger relationships, and more successful long-term behaviour outcomes.

At Poochwise, we believe great training starts with understanding the dog in front of you—not fighting against their nature.

references

BBC (2021) Pawfect payday for sheepdog record breaker Kim. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-wales-55942957 (Accessed: 05/06/2024)

Burghardt, G.M., Albright, J.D. and Davis, K.M., 2016. Motivation, development and object play: Comparative perspectives with lessons from dogs. Behaviour, 153(6-7), pp.767-793.

Deldalle, S. and Gaunet, F., 2014. Effects of 2 training methods on stress-related behaviors of the dog (Canis familiaris) and on the dog–owner relationship. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 9(2), pp.58-65.

Fernandes, J.G., Olsson, I.A.S. and de Castro, A.C.V., 2017. Do aversive-based training methods actually compromise dog welfare?: A literature review. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 196, pp.1-12.

Greenebaum, J.B., 2010. Training dogs and training humans: Symbolic interaction and dog training. Anthrozoös, 23(2), pp.129-141

Herron, M.E., Shofer, F.S. and Reisner, I.R., 2009. Survey of the use and outcome of confrontational and non-confrontational training methods in client-owned dogs showing undesired behaviors. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 117(1-2), pp.47-54

Nielsen, B.L., Jezierski, T., Bolhuis, J.E., Amo, L., Rosell, F., Oostindjer, M., Christensen, J.W., McKeegan, D., Wells, D.L. and Hepper, P., 2015. Olfaction: an overlooked sensory modality in applied ethology and animal welfare. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2, p.69

Rooney, N.J. and Cowan, S., 2011. Training methods and owner–dog interactions: Links with dog behaviour and learning ability. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 132(3-4), pp.169-177.

The Dog House (2022) Who's The Perfect Match For This Collie? The Dog House Channel 4. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZJkEvA3RgE (Accessed:05/06/2024)