Squirrel Season: How to Survive the Fall Frenzy

It’s that time of year! You can't walk out the door without a squirrel skipping across the sidewalk or a chipmunk setting off the alarm for every dog within earshot.

For a lot of dogs, these rodents are the ultimate trigger. One glimpse or chirp, and suddenly they’re flying off the deck, barking at the fence, or vibrating at the end of the leash.

The constant commotion can be irritating to say the least—but it doesn’t have to turn every walk or backyard break into a battle. With the right mix of management, training, and enrichment, you can help your dog stay calmer and more focused, even when these vermin are at their busiest.

Why Squirrels Are So Hard to Ignore

• Movement matters. Small, fast-moving critters like squirrels flip on the “chase” switch in the brain almost automatically. It’s part of their natural predatory sequence—see movement, orient, pursue.

• Arousal skyrockets. When a squirrel darts across the yard, your dog’s body releases a surge of adrenaline and dopamine. That cocktail of stress and reward chemicals makes remembering their training nearly impossible.

• Neurons that fire together, wire together. Every time your dog barks, charges, or chases, the pathways in the brain for that behaviour get stronger. With repetition, the reaction becomes faster and more automatic.

Management: Setting The Stage for Success

• Harness the right gear. A well-fitted harness and leash won’t change your dog’s reaction, but keeps things safe without added stress on their body.

• Play lookout. Spotting a squirrel before your dog does gives you options—cross the street, change direction, or add distance before they tip into the red zone.

• Use barriers to your advantage. Put fences, hedges, or parked cars between your dog and the critter. Out of sight means less intensity, and their brain has a better chance of staying calm.

Training: Building Calm Reactions

A few simple exercises make a huge difference:

• “Look at That” Game
  Every calm glance at a squirrel earns a reward. Over time, your dog learns: noticing critters = snacks, not chasing. 

• Use the Name Game. Say their name → get eye contact → reward. It conditions your dog to check in automatically, even when critters are nearby.

• Add Patterned Movement. Break fixation with some unexpected movement—like backpedalling or a quick “let’s go!” in the opposite direction. You’re giving them motion, just not the chase they wanted.

✨ But here’s the key: these games only work if your dog is far enough away to notice the critter without exploding. If they’re already barking, charging or fixated, you’re too close.

Enrichment Alternatives: Meeting the Need to Chase

Instead of trying to squash your dog’s natural chase drive, give them an alternative outlet:

• Toss toys or balls. If your dog loves to chase, give them a safe outlet. I keep a basket by the door for Hazel so I can chuck a few balls into the yard.

• Flirt Pole Fun. A flirt pole taps into the same predatory motor patterns that squirrels trigger—orient, chase, pounce, grab. It’s a safe, structured way to satisfy the drive without real critters involved.

• Scatter Food or Treats. A treat scatter activates your dog’s foraging and tracking instincts. Instead of chasing squirrels, they get to hunt for food in the grass.

Progress, Not Perfection

The goal isn’t to get your dog to ignore every critter (good luck with that). It’s to help them pause, recover faster, check in more, and handle the excitement without losing their minds. Celebrate the small stuff—one less bark, a quicker glance back at you, a calmer leash. Those tiny wins stack up, and before long, you’ll notice walks feel a lot less like a rodeo.