Confidence Through Play: Building Prey Drive and Handling Trust in Your Dog

For Working Dogs and Family Companions Alike.

When we talk about play, we often imagine a light-hearted game of fetch or tug, a great way to burn off some energy or have fun with our dogs.

But purposeful play, when done right, becomes so much more than a game.

It becomes a tool to build confidence, trust, and a deep understanding between dog and handler, whether your dog is training for sport/PPD or simply learning how to navigate the world.

At its best, this kind of play shapes drive, emotional resilience, and body awareness. It builds confidence not just in the dog, but in you as the handler.

Prey Drive: Not Just for Sport/PPD Dogs!

Most dogs have some level of prey drive, it is the natural desire to chase, grab, and bite moving objects. In protection sports like IGP, this drive is shaped and refined to produce focus, intensity, and control. But prey drive isn’t exclusive to working breeds. Even your chihuahua has it! Some breeds and dogs have it more than others.

Tapping into prey drive can be just as powerful for pet dogs, especially those who are nervous, shut down, or lacking confidence.

When a dog learns to chase, target, grip, and win , you see that something shifts. The dog starts to move with intent, to problem-solve, and to believe in itself. Suddenly, a dog that used to flinch at contact or freeze in new environments is bouncing with energy and purpose. Depending on your dog, this can take time. Think about it like Jujitsu or another martial arts. Some people are more confident than others on their first lessons, where others will need more time. What matters is the journey that you take and that you can get the whole potential of your four-legged friend. Everyone is unique and so is your dog!

Movement Builds Confidence

One of the fastest ways to build confidence in any dog is to get them moving. Purposeful play engages the brain, the body, and the instinct all at once. It builds motor patterns that say: “I know what I’m doing.”

For the shy or sensitive dog, motion brings life. You’ll often see these dogs light up during play in ways they don’t during food-only-based training. Movement becomes medicine. And when the dog wins, grips, and gets to express itself freely and confidence follows.

Hand-Shy or Nervous Dogs:

Using Play to Change the Narrative

Many dogs, especially rescues or undersocialised pups can be hand-shy or sensitive to their surroundings. They may duck away from contact, avoid being touched on the head or collar, or struggle with grooming or vet handling. Traditional desensitisation can help, but purposeful play offers something even more powerful: association through success.

When your dog learns that you bring the toy, deliver the reward, and play we can work through positive and dynamic movements that builds your dogs confidence in itself. You become your dog's coach.

Over time, you can begin to add gentle handling during the "win" by stroking the dog, touching the collar, or applying light leash pressure while they hold the toy. This teaches the dog to accept touch without fear.

Building Handler Confidence Too!

Let’s not forget the human side. Many owners feel unsure, especially when handling energetic, mouthy, or nervous dogs. Structured play gives you a way to build timing, read body language, and start to communicate clearly with your dog. When you understand how to guide arousal, how to channel frustration, and how to reward success, your own confidence grows alongside your dog’s.

Happy Training and Playing with your dog! Move your body! Move that ball and bring it to life!