Training the High-Drive Working Dog: Managing Prey Drive
Learn to manage your high-drive working dog's prey drive. Discover why you can't suppress instinct and how to install a steering wheel on their natural energy.
Best quote from Training the High-Drive Working Dog: Managing Prey Drive
The drive is an engine that is always running; our job isn't to break the engine, but to install a steering wheel and a high-performance braking system.
This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member
Training a 7-month-old working dog (Doberman/Malinois/GSD mix) on high-intensity play and focus to channel their high-energy drive effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
When a high-drive dog like a Doberman-Malinois mix spots prey, their hunting brain often hijacks their thinking brain, making them appear to ignore you. This isn't stubbornness, but a neurological state where raw energy erases previous training. Instead of trying to suppress this hardwired instinct, which can lead to redirected aggression, focus on building a steering wheel and braking system for that energy through structured outlets and impulse control.
High-drive working dogs that lack a structured outlet for their energy will often create their own 'jobs.' This frequently manifests as destructive chewing, lunging on the leash, or a general inability to settle. Because their internal engine is always running, they require specific training techniques that provide a productive way to channel their drive rather than simply trying to delete the behavior through punishment.
Research shows that you cannot actually train away or suppress a dog's natural prey drive. Attempting to delete these instincts through punishment results in increased anxiety or redirected aggression in approximately 70% of cases. The goal of training a high-drive working dog is not to break the engine of their drive, but to manage it by implementing better impulse control and communication during high-arousal moments.
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
