Do chipmunks deliberately tease dogs?

[StarlaJane]

I think that this is more prevalent with dogs than cats, as cats can actually GET to chipmunks (and squirrels, etc.) and seem to avidly hunt and kill them (at least mine do).

Dogs, on the other hand, seem more interested in chasing, and this may actually be more play than sincere hunting. I know that this is a generalization, as I have also known dogs that will kill anything in sight. But, IMHE, most dogs are more interested in chasing than actually killing.

Case in point: my GSD loved to chase squirrels--she was obsessed with them. However, she never caught or killed any small animals even though she was always whining at them and acting like her catching one would be the best thing ever.

So, I think that what you are seeing is not so much taunting but playing. And I think that it is reciprocally enjoyed by both the chipmunk and the dog.

[cat1116]

My dogs say, "he l l yes"

Reminds me of that commercial where the dog sees a squirrel (maybe it was a chipmunk?) and jumps up on the window thus breaking the blinds.
Both squirrels and chipmunks can be a tease.

Forgot to add. There are a couple squirrels that come on the deck and go up and down the posts. When they hear my dog bark or get both barking, they (squirrel/s) make a run for it. When the dogs stop. The squirrel/s come back on to the deck. If that's not teasing, I don't know what is then.

[twelvepaw]

Originally Posted by StarlaJane

Dogs, on the other hand, seem more interested in chasing, and this may actually be more play than sincere hunting.

For dogs, play drive = prey drive, just a different form, but same drive.

[StarlaJane]

Originally Posted by twelvepaw

For dogs, play drive = prey drive, just a different form, but same drive.

This is a really good point. However, since the sequence of prey drive usually ends in killing, I wonder if the majority of domesticated dogs would actually kill the animal they are chasing if they ever got a hold of it. For me, even though prey drive is related to their "playing" with chipmunks et al., there seems to be a difference.

My GSD was said to have a really high "prey drive" because she loved chasing any and all critters. Yet she would never kill anything, so wouldn't it be more accurate to say that her "play" drive, rather than her "prey" drive, was high...?

[Jumpindogs]

Originally Posted by StarlaJane

This is a really good point. However, since the sequence of prey drive usually ends in killing, I wonder if the majority of domesticated dogs would actually kill the animal they are chasing if they ever got a hold of it. For me, even though prey drive is related to their "playing" with chipmunks et al., there seems to be a difference.

My GSD was said to have a really high "prey drive" because she loved chasing any and all critters. Yet she would never kill anything, so wouldn't it be more accurate to say that her "play" drive, rather than her "prey" drive, was high...?

Canine prey drive is generally considered a five step process...the search (orient), the stalk, the chase, the grab, and the take down (kill). However, any individual dog's innate prey drive can stop at one of the first four steps without going all the way to kill. There are also breed tendencies. For example, most herding breeds stop at chase (or at a modified grab) whereas the terriers go all the way to take down. Also, breeds and individual dogs can have exaggerated steps...the Border Collie's strong eye and crouch is an example of exaggerated stalking.

The reason dogs like to play fetch, tug and chase me games is due to their prey drive.

Here is an article that explains it pretty well. How We Use a Dog’s Prey Drive | Canidae Blog