Dogs will consider squirrels, rabbits, mice, any type of small rodent, prey. It's just what they were bred for, they are hunters. If they're brought up with a cat or know one well, they generally won't attack that cat. But I think to assume that your dog is normal and is displaying prey actions would be the safe assumption. They don't want to play with a squirrel or rabbit, etc.

I'm not an expert just have had many dogs, all sweet and good with people, but assertive with rodents.

What breed is Capone and how old is he? That makes a big difference.

From what you said, at this point I would guess he is playing and looking for a friend to play back. He doesn't realize he sqaushed the bug but whines because it stopped "playing".

One of my dogs likes to play with frogs when there is one out in the yard. He'll sit there and look at it then tap it with his paw. If you approach him and make like you're going to take it, he'll pick up the frog and carry it somewhere else and resume watching it and tapping it. I don't know if he's planning on eating the frog or if he just wants to play with it but it seems like he just wants to be friends with the frogs. The frogs look frightened. They just sit still.

If it was a rodent or something, being of terrier descent, he might want to eat it or something.

Now my other dog is a bearded collie and he's into herding and chasing. Not so much hunting.

Capone is a year-old bullmastiff, still very puppy-ish. (I have the bruises to prove it.) From what I've read, they seem to be about half and half on cat-trustworthiness.

The way I figure is this: if I don't *know* he won't kill something, I avoid chasing/contact. So when he's on lead, he's not allowed to pursue or approach much of anything.

I *do* allow him to meet/sniff other dogs, if we know them and they are not aggressive. So far, the only dogs I absolutely won't let him get anywhere near are: the psycho daschund that we met yesterday (long story short-I got a little beat up, chewed a stranger's butt, and we finished our walk. Post about that later), the non-socialized APBT from two blocks over that bolted out his front door and charged him on sight, and the neighbor-on-the-corner's ChiuauaX (the neighbor actually asked me if my dog was going to eat him... not his territorial ChiX, HIM.)

So, I protect him, furry things on walks, other dogs if need be... Bugs had better be wary. RIP, grasshoppers.

The thing about frogs is that when eaten they release some kind of horrible tasting goo. When we first got our jack russell she ate a frog the first day (we have lots of toads)
and had the funniest look on her face! Now, 6 years later she is so uninterested in frogs. I don't think she has ever forgotten that taste. She loves to flip lizards in the air though, until all the "play" is gone.

LOL ok then may he is planning on eating the frogs after ' all the play is gone' hahaha. I don't let him eat the frogs. In fact since it doesn't rain here anymore, seldom see the frogs now.

Here's a pretty good and easy discription of the difference

Q-What is the difference between play and prey drive?

Answer- Prey Drive - This behavior is the desire to chase grasp and vanquish an item. In the wild these items are normally food-related animals. Since this desire is diminished through training/experience, it is normally seen in the dog as an expression of the behavior in relation to non-prey items such as the ball, toys, protection equipment, etc. This behavior is used as a foundation-training program in the protection phase of most sport dogs teaching them to grip and win in the low stress environment of prey prior to having the seriousness of fighting and self-defense instilled in the work. The dog, while strongly focused in this behavior, will display a tail stance of slightly higher than the back to level, the back his ears will be erect and attentive and his overall appearance will be of a happy but intense demeanor. The seriousness of prey behavior should not be underemphasized in a wild canid; this is a survival instinct.

Play Drive - Often confused with pack drive, play drive is the desire to have PHYSICAL contact with a member of the pack structure. The dog that continually brushes against its handler, jumps up on him, and solicits the same from the handler is said to have strong or high play drive.

Pack Drive - Social contact is the hallmark of pack existence for the canid. The dog who is continually seeking that contact is said to be a highly pack driven dog. An example of a highly pack driven Service Dog is one which during a field search on its own accord, continually checks back with the handler then returns to searching

not knowing the difference really between prey/play and aggression is a red flag to get that dog into Obedience training ASAP. Also you might want to check out some good training books, I like the Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson for starters.

"Play is the work of children." - Friedrich Froebel

Children's play emulates the work they are designed to do as adults. They run, catch, chase, swing, and climb.

Similarly, puppies pounce on each other, and chase and catch balls in their mouths. Later they can chase and catch mice in their mouths.

The play behavior slowly fades into the adult behavior. There is no clearly defined line or marker between the two groups of behaviors.

Thanks for the reference, Cindy. It was exactly what I was looking for, with the physical description. Capone has been through Basic Obedience, and we're constantly working on his prey drive issue - also, we're sure that there is not an aggression issue.

I've set out birdseed near the front porch, and don't let Capone sit with us without his leash and prong collar on anymore. After about a week of "No! + *yank*" every time he got his 'alert/interested' face on, I'm pleased to say that he had a bird within 2 feet of him, fluttering and chirping - and he couldn't have looked less interested!! :)

We are still very far from being 100%, but this is the first time he's done this well, so we're excited. We were pretty close to using a squirt bottle, but were trying to hold off, as we have a hard time bathing him as it is - we didn't want to add a serious water phobia to the list. I suppose we will see what is to come with this whole thing. I suspect it will never be eradicated and will always require a degree of control - I'm just hoping that the corrections won't always have to be so severe.

Ok, so now I'm a bit confused. My dog who is 8 mo old and 10.5 pounds likes to pounce and jump on other dogs that he plays with along with chasing them. He exhibits this same behavior with our cats. Although he leaves Koko alone. He will nip at them but he doesn't bite. It's hard to describe unless you see it. The cats will let him know if he's being too aggressive and sometimes they just get up out of the way. Other times he just walks among them. After reading the above stuff I am now worried, should I be?

Most play activity in puppies is part of developing hunting skills. You see the same behavior in wolf pups, lion cubs, etc. The difference between dogs and wild animals is that behaviors can be redirected---as in the bird ignoring example.
All play behavior is not bad as it also develops muscle tone and coordination. A good way to start understanding a dogs behavior is to learn the breed characteristics.

Here is a short description----The Bullmastiff is an impressive dog that carries itself with poise and stature. A cross between a Bulldog and Mastiffs, Bullmastiffs were originally bred as a gamekeepers' dog, and today are still prized service dogs that help the community through police work and a prized hunting dog. The breed was originally trained to track down poachers, but was trained to intimidate, rather than attack.
Early Bullmastiffs were bred for utility and work rather than their looks. They did their work at night and their dark coat color was bred for this work; they were nicknamed the "Gamekeepers Night-Dog." As poaching began to disappear, the Bullmastiff was more in demand as a guard dog and the lighter brown color became popular. Looks became important for breeders, and they focused on creating a beautiful dog that was established as a pure breed in 1924 by the English Kennel Club.
The original Bullmastiffs were fierce and threatening, but were trained not to bite the intruders. The modern day breed also has a very gentle, fiercely protective streak. Because of this breeding, the Bullmastiff is both a masterful watchdog and a friendly family companion.

I have two mixed breed dogs, both aggressive breed mixes. They are three and two, the three year old is an Alpha dog. Both are very dog aggressive and would chase anything they moves if I let them. The two year old has found nestling birds out of the nest before they were old enough to fly. He grabbed them and then had no idea of what to do after that. He would need to be taught to do anything more. I make sure that does not happen. He still fixates on birds/rabbits/bees, but I redirect his attention. BTW, he is a Lab mix---the mix part is pit bull. So, his instincts are to fixate on prey more so than the other dog---a Rottweiler/German Shepherd mix---who generally ignores birds, but is interested in cats/rabbits/squirrels/etc.

Both are unneutered and stay inside when we are gone---confined to four rooms. They play a version of tag and tug of war---under my supervision. The only problem between them is when food is concerned---or rawhide chews.

My point is this, with proper training and pack behavior conditions in effect, most dogs can be taught to get along.

Exercise is super necessary---walks are imperative. Letting the dog loose in a yard all day does not do anything for pack training, nor is it proper exercise. I cannot properly walk my two, so I bicycle while they run. The key is the exercise is done under my control---I am the pack leader.

I am quite confident foosacubs dogs behavior is normal play---and what you are doing is redirecting any bad behavior quite well.

bluesbarby, you should not be worried. Like handymac said, they can be trained to get along. Puppies usually get a "puppy pass" from the other dogs and cats to allow outrageous play until they start to mature. Then the other dogs and cats may come down on the puppy especially hard until it learns to moderate it's behavior. It is an interesting feedback loop.

Of course it does not always work. Of course there are instances where a dog becomes more aggressive with cats. It is not a reason to worry. It is a reason to be vigilant as we are with our human children and redirect what we perceive as inappropriate behaviors.