What does it mean when a dog stalks?

Stalking in dogs is characterized by slow, deliberate movements as they focus intently on a target. This target could be another animal, a person, or even an object. The dog will lower its body, move quietly, and often display intense focus. This behaviour is a throwback to their ancestral hunting techniques. All dogs stalk as we often consider only herding breeds do this behaviour and while we may see this behaviour more pronounced due to selection all dogs do practice this behaviour. Stalking behaviour in dogs can be both fascinating and concerning. Stalking is a natural, instinctive behaviour seen in many canines, closely related to their predatory instincts. Puppies can be seen using stalking behaviour in play.

When a good game of chase turns sour, predatory stalking dogs are no longer having fun, they’ve become overly aroused and anxious. I noticed that OBIE, the 9 yr old was beginning to stalk SADIE in a predatory way. I saw that SADIE was running back and forth but she wasn’t happy, she was anxious. OBIE was on her in an intense way and she felt his energy and didn’t like it. This happens all the time at dog parks and people don’t recognize this kind of predatory stalking as not a fun game of chase between dogs, often times turning into a fight with everyone left in the dark as to why it happened. If we don’t know how to read their body language, when the time comes that they are about to do something very dog – like and out of character, we will most likely miss a dog fight, bully behavior, fearful behavior and then wonder how THAT could possibly have happened.

Stalking is one of my absolute favorites. By highlighting the stalk massively and giving it a good reinforcement history, four things will happen: It buys you time. Your dog will stalk longer in the future before he runs off to chase. This will give you precious seconds to recall your dog or at least to grab his harness and put him on a leash. The rest of the chain will become weaker This means that the dog might only chase for about 100 meters and come back instead of following the deer for a much longer distance. The chain will break off after the stalk This means, the dog does not show the rest of the chain anymore. Predation is a chain of behavior: orientation – stalk – creep – chase – grab-bite – kill-bite – possess – dissect – consume. You will recognize, that some breeds are specialized in performing selected parts of this chain more intense than others. Also, some breeds skip parts and don’t show the whole chain of behaviour. But here’s the game-changer: You can use and reinforce certain parts of this chain for managing and training predatory behaviour. If you do so, you will choose those parts, that are more suitable and less critical in your daily life. The STALKING DEAL = “You can’t chase but you can instead watch as long as you want to!” I like to say, that these Predation Substitute Tools are a deal that you make with your dog. In this case, the deal is the STALKING DEAL = “You can’t chase but you can instead watch as long as you want to!”

Stalking behaviour involves a high level of focus and intent on a target. If this target is something the dog values highly, such as food, toys, or even a person, this can translate into a possessive attitude. Dogs that frequently engage in stalking may start to see the objects of their attention as resources that need to be protected. This intense focus and possessiveness could evolve into resource guarding, where the dog becomes overly protective and aggressive about their perceived possessions. When we watch a dog resource guard you will see the intense focus and stillness which is similar to stalking. Stalking and Resource Guarding have some connection. Stalking behaviour can potentially lead to resource guarding issues. Anxiety and Obsession: As stalking can be linked to anxiety and obsession, these underlying emotions can also contribute to resource guarding.

Stalking behaviour in dogs can be motivated by various reasons, ranging from instinctual predatory drives to playful invitations for interaction. Stalking is a classic expression of this instinct. Dogs use stalking as a natural instinct linked to hunting, play, or sometimes fear. While it can be harmless play, stalking can escalate to aggression if the dog becomes fixated or aggressive. Stalking behaviour is when a dog slowly, quietly, and deliberately follows or observes another dog, often fixated on them. It can be predatory, playful, or anxiety-driven. Dogs that exhibit stalking tend to seek out smaller dogs rather than those of similar or larger size. Play stalking often involves relaxed body language, open mouths without snarling, and a willingness to reverse roles and chase each other spontaneously. Stealthy, slow movement with a low body position, fixed, intense stare focused on the other dog, and quiet, calculated movements rather than noisy or playful chasing are signs that stalking is not playful.