Understanding Your Dog’s Instincts: Why Some Behaviors Seem to Come “Out of Nowhere”

As pet care professionals, we want to help you understand your dog’s natural instincts—especially when it comes to behaviors that might seem unpredictable. One key concept in dog behavior is the predatory sequence, which is hardwired into their instincts. Even though our pets are domesticated, these behaviors can still surface in different ways.

The predatory sequence includes:

• Orient – Your dog becomes alert to something moving (a squirrel, a jogger, another pet). They might stiffen, perk their ears, or focus intently.

• Eye – They lock their gaze on the target, lowering their body slightly and preparing to move.

• Stalk – Your dog creeps forward, staying low and focused (common in herding breeds).

• Chase – They take off after the moving object—this is why some dogs love running after squirrels, bikes, or even other dogs!

• Grab-bite – Some dogs might try to catch their “target” in their mouth, whether it's a toy, another dog’s leg in play, or even a loose leash.

• Kill-bite & Dissect – Most pet dogs don’t follow through to these stages, but some enjoy shaking their toys or chewing bones as part of their instinctual fulfillment.

  
  Not all dogs go through the full sequence, and different breeds have different tendencies. For example, herding breeds (like Border Collies) are more likely to fixate and stalk, while retrievers may focus on grabbing and carrying objects.

Why does this matter?
 Understanding your dog’s natural instincts can help prevent unwanted behaviors like leash pulling, jumping, or sudden chasing. Rather than stopping these instincts completely, we can redirect them into safe, healthy outlets—such as structured play, tug games, or training exercises.

If you have any concerns about your dog’s behavior during walks or playtime, we’re happy to help! Awareness is the first step in keeping both pets and people safe while allowing dogs to be their best, most natural selves.