11/10/2025
Leerzaam artikel over “jachtgedrag”
If you have a gundog breed as a pet, you’ve likely experienced their hyperfocus when they suddenly catch a scent and become determined to locate the source.
These behaviours, while impressive, can be challenging to manage for pet gundog owners who do not want their dogs to be efficient hunting machines.
While they can be refined through training, these instincts aren’t learned - they’re instinctive, passed down through centuries of breeding for fieldwork.
Even if you tried to train these behaviours out, as a gundog owner, you need to understand too that for all our gundogs (regardless of whether you want to work them in the field or have them as a family pet) hunting is also a source of mental stimulation and emotional enrichment.
The act of scenting releases feel-good hormones like dopamine and serotonin, making the process inherently rewarding for them.
Hunting is, therefore, essential to your dog’s mental and physical well-being. In fact, the Animal Welfare Act 2006 highlights that dogs need the opportunity to engage in their natural behaviours, like hunting.
And suppressing these instincts can lead to frustration, boredom, and even unwanted behaviours like destructive chewing or excessive barking.
The good news for pet gundog owners who don’t want to work their dogs, is that hunting doesn’t have to involve live game or animals.
You can channel your gundog’s natural drive into fun, structured games that mimic the hunting process in a way that is safe, rewarding, and deeply satisfying for your dog.
Instead of viewing your gundog’s hunting instincts as a challenge and something you need to battle against every time you leave the house, see them as an opportunity.
By playing hunting games and working together as a team, you’ll help your gundog see you as a partner in the hunt, creating trust and cooperation that carries over into every aspect of their life and leads to a better relationship between you and your gundog.
If you’ve ever wondered if you should continue your gundog training to a more advanced level, even if you don’t want to work your dog, hopefully you can now see why ongoing training can keep your pet gundog feeling fulfilled and happy.
Want to learn more about how to get your gundog to hunt with you? Head to: https://clickergundog.co.uk/blogs/news/how-to-get-your-gundog-to-hunt-with-you
