Behavior Camp
A 4 to 6 week immersive behavior-modification program, the best fit for moderate behavior issues.
Dog Behavior Solutions
Enjoy Arizona Without Betting on One Recall
Rabbits, quail, coyotes, and javelinas can turn one distracted moment into an emergency. Partners Dogs helps you build control while keeping physical safety layers in place.
Behavior severity
ModerateWhat you may be seeing
Common signs
- Freezing, stalking, staring, whining, or lunging at small animals
- Ignoring food or familiar cues once movement begins
- Fence running or scanning yards and trails for wildlife
- Chasing bikes, running children, cats, livestock, or wildlife
- Slow recovery after a chase opportunity
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- Killing or injuring another animal
- Escaping containment or entering traffic during a chase
- Contact with a rattlesnake, javelina, coyote, or other dangerous wildlife
- Redirected biting when physically interrupted
Moderate is a starting point for planning, not a diagnosis. Contact, bites, or repeated escape requires an in-person assessment and stronger containment immediately.
Understanding the behavior
What is prey drive?
Prey drive is the instinct to orient, stalk, chase, grab, or bite moving animals. Breed history and individual experience affect intensity. It is not defiance, and training does not erase instinct.
Safety relies on secure fencing, leashes or long lines, supervised yards, and avoiding off-leash access where wildlife or traffic is possible. Recall and disengagement can improve, but no cue makes a high-drive dog immune to sudden movement.
The goal is safer management and better interruption, not a guarantee that the dog will ignore all prey. Results vary with genetics, reinforcement history, environment, and handler practice.
Partners Dogs has trained Arizona dogs through every kind of prey drive case since 1997, at our Scottsdale and Cave Creek facilities. Lifetime trainer support is included with every board-and-train program.
The transformation
Before and after training
Drag the slider to see the change our programs make for a dog with prey drive. Same dog, same home, real outcome.
Watch
How we work on prey drive
Short walkthroughs from our trainers on the exact techniques we use to resolve prey drive. See how the work actually looks, then choose the path that fits your dog.
70,000+Dogs Trained
28+Years Experience
4.8★Average Rating
2Arizona Campuses
Recommended path · Moderate severity
The right program for prey drive
Based on how prey drive typically presents, here is where we would start. Not sure which fits? Take the PD360 assessment for a personalized recommendation.
Private Lessons
One-on-one sessions to address specific triggers and transfer trainer skills to you.
The process
How it works
Assessment and check-in
- We verify vaccination records and complete pre-check-in forms.
- Your dog receives a full behavioral assessment.
- We set goals and build a personalized training plan.
- You meet the primary trainer and tour the facility.
Training and progress reports
- Multiple active training sessions every day.
- Controlled exposure and desensitization to triggers.
- Immersive socialization in a managed environment.
- Regular progress reports with photos and video.
Transition and follow-up
- Private lessons that transfer the training to you.
- Pet Parenting group classes for ongoing support.
- Access to our full Pet Parent Guide.
- Weeks of follow-up so the change lasts at home.
Not sure which program
Get a recommendation in minutes
Take our quick PD360 assessment for a personalized recommendation, or talk to a trainer who has seen prey drive many times before.
What our clients say
“"My Vizsla had zero recall the moment a rabbit appeared. Zero. I was terrified every time she was off leash near the preserve. The combination of Foundation Camp and private follow-up sessions greatly improved her responsiveness. She has a reliable recall now, not perfect, but reliable, and she'll actually disengage from a chase when I call her. That felt impossible a year ago."”
“"We live on a property that backs up to a wash in Cave Creek. Rabbits, quail, the occasional javelina, it's endless for a high-drive dog. Cody was out of control in the yard. After the Partners program, we have actual management tools that work. His 'leave it' may have prevented two dangerous encounters, once with a rattlesnake, once with a javelina sow. I don't say that lightly."”
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Can prey drive be improved?
In most cases, yes. With a structured plan and steady follow-through, prey drive usually improves and becomes much more manageable. How far and how fast depends on the dog and the household, and severe cases start with an in-person assessment.
How long does it take to see change?
Many dogs show early progress in the first weeks of a program, though the timeline varies with the behavior and the dog. The lasting value is in the follow-up: private lessons and group classes help the change hold at home over time.
What if my dog has more than one issue?
That is very common. During the assessment we identify every area of concern and build one plan that works on them together, rather than treating each in isolation.
Is professional training worth the cost?
It is an investment in daily life for you and your dog. Our board-and-train programs include weeks of follow-up, private lessons, and group classes so the results last, and financing is available up to 36 months.
When can we get started?
Right away. Schedule a call or take the PD360 assessment online and we will find the best time to begin, starting with a clear look at your dog's prey drive.
Related behaviors
Dogs with prey drive often show these patterns too. Explore the behaviors below. We treat them all.
Ready for the next step
Talk to a trainer now
Every dog and household is different. Get a real conversation with a Partners Dogs trainer who has treated prey drive for more than 28 years. No pressure, just guidance on your dog's best path forward.