What is prey drive in an MWD?

What is prey drive in an MWD?

• A. An MWD's natural tendency to chase, bite, and carry an item the MWD perceives as prey.
• B. A dog's fear of unknown objects.
• C. The dog's cognitive ability to solve problems using scent.
• D. The dog's preference for eating prey over other food.

Answer: (A)

Prey drive is the instinctive urge in a working dog to chase, bite, and carry a moving object that it perceives as prey. In a military working dog, this drive fuels bite-work and decoy training, where a handler or helper simulates prey movement and the dog engages by pursuing and gripping the target. It’s not about fear, problem-solving with scent, or a preference for prey-based food—the other ideas describe fear responses, cognitive skills, or diet, which aren’t what this instinct represents.

Prey drive is the instinctive urge in a working dog to chase, bite, and carry a moving object that it perceives as prey. In a military working dog, this drive fuels bite-work and decoy training, where a handler or helper simulates prey movement and the dog engages by pursuing and gripping the target. It’s not about fear, problem-solving with scent, or a preference for prey-based food—the other ideas describe fear responses, cognitive skills, or diet, which aren’t what this instinct represents.