Help! My Dog: The Podcast
Ep 115 – Ready, Set, Go! Why Dogs Chase & Top Tips to Keep Them Safe
Host: Dr. Tom Mitchell
Date: February 11, 2026

Episode Overview

In this highly requested episode, Dr. Tom Mitchell, veterinarian, dog behaviorist, and trainer, explores why dogs are so attracted to chasing things—be it small animals, joggers, cyclists, or other dogs—and delivers actionable advice to help owners address this instinctual behavior and keep their dogs safe. By breaking down the problem into two core strategies and providing relatable anecdotes and practical examples, Dr. Tom aims to empower listeners to better manage and transform chasing struggles, ultimately improving their relationship with their dogs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Why Do Dogs Chase? (01:10)

• Nature and Instinct: Dogs are naturally stimulated by movement. Some dogs are much more compelled by movement than others, sitting on a spectrum that ranges from mild curiosity to almost uncontrollable chasing urges.
• Individual Differences: The intensity of chasing behavior can vary significantly between dogs.

"Dogs... are often very stimulated by movement. They find movement very stimulating. And dogs then sit on a spectrum. Some dogs find movement more stimulating than other dogs."
— Dr. Tom Mitchell (02:15)

The Two "Buckets" of Chasing Solutions (04:05)

Dr. Tom summarizes every possible strategy for tackling chasing behavior into two categories (“buckets”):

Category 1: Make Yourself More Exciting than the Environment

• Concept: To override the allure of environmental movement, make yourself (the owner) the most exciting, valuable reward source.

• How-To: Incorporate more movement into your own interactions, games, and rewards—even if you have physical limitations.

  • Examples:
    • Roll food or toss it for your dog to chase.
    • Offer toys that move, bounce, or change direction unexpectedly.
    • Use movement in your body, even subtly (e.g., turning around as your dog comes for a treat), to make reward delivery dynamic.

"How can we incorporate more movement into interactions with us? ...You don't necessarily have to move, but you have to create outcomes that do move."
— Dr. Tom Mitchell (05:24)

• Inclusivity: Strategies are accessible even for those who cannot be physically active themselves.

Category 2: Make Environmental Movement Less Stimulating

• Concept: Reduce your dog’s arousal response to things moving in their environment.

• Why It’s Important: Each time a dog successfully chases, it reinforces the behavior—making them more excited next time.

  • Example: If a dog chases a cat once in the park, they will start checking bushes for cats on every subsequent walk.
  • Prevention: Prevent opportunities for chasing until new habits are formed (e.g., use a lead).
  • Desensitization: Pair environmental movement (even small, everyday movements) with positive outcomes from you—a treat tossed in a mildly playful way as a jogger passes by, for instance.

"Every time our dog does chase something... that's one coin in the 'it's going to be more exciting next time' bank account."
— Dr. Tom Mitchell (11:04)

• Practicality: Don’t wait for “big” movement events; use everyday small movements to practice.
• Key to Success: Both strategies must work in tandem, especially with high-drive chasers.

"The more we catch moments of movement which are happening all the time, and we pair that with a positive outcome from us, the more we get ahead..."
— Dr. Tom Mitchell (13:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Matching Their Energy:

  "They're wanting to go to a disco and we're saying, come and get your yoga mat out. Right. It's just not gonna work. They wanna do the disco."
  — Dr. Tom Mitchell (00:05, repeated at 14:45)

• On Past Experience Reinforcing Chase:

  "We've all had that experience where our dogs actually were pretty chilled... and then they have some one time, very exciting learning—yeah, they're off lead, you're wandering through a park. And a cat runs out of a bush right in front of their nose and it's like, oh, my goodness."
  — Dr. Tom Mitchell (11:38)

• On the Importance of Using Both Strategies:

  "Often when we're talking to owners that have dogs that struggle with chase, what we often find is that they are focusing on one of the categories and neglecting the other category. And the reality is, is that the two transform hand in hand."
  — Dr. Tom Mitchell (15:13)

Important Timestamps

• 01:10 – Why dogs are drawn to chase; movement as a core motivator
• 04:05 – Introduction of the two "buckets" for solving chasing
• 05:24 – Practical examples for being more exciting than the environment
• 11:04 – How environmental movement becomes increasingly rewarding
• 13:00 – Strategy for desensitizing to everyday movement
• 15:13 – Emphasizing that both strategies are necessary
• 16:30 – Dr. Tom’s final call to action and encouragement

Takeaway Action Steps

• Analyze Your Training:
  • Ask yourself: Are you using strategies from both buckets?
• Integrate Both Approaches:
  • Work on being the most exciting thing in your dog’s world.
  • Control their environment and pair incidental movement with positive rewards.
• Start Small:
  • Focus on routine, mundane movements for wins before working up to bigger challenges.
• Stay Consistent:
  • Both categories must work consistently and hand-in-hand for lasting change.

Tone and Final Thoughts

Dr. Tom delivers relatable analogies (yoga mat vs. disco), humor, and deep empathy for owners struggling with challenging chase behavior. He reassures listeners that transformation is possible with consistent, smart strategies and invites reflection and continued learning.

"Go forth, analyze your training. Think am I doing things for each category here? And we will see you next time."
— Dr. Tom Mitchell (16:30)

For those facing chase struggles, this episode offers both insight into your dog's brain and practical, manageable steps to keep them safe and strengthen your bond.