How to Stop Your Dog from Chasing Squirrels on a Leash

Why Dogs Chase Squirrels (And Why Punishing Doesn’t Work)

Dogs have a strong natural instinct to chase small, fast-moving animals like squirrels. Trying to stop this behavior with punishment only suppresses the drive—it doesn’t remove it. As one trainer notes, you can’t take a natural motivation out of your dog. Instead of fighting the instinct, you should work with it. The goal isn’t to eliminate the chase, but to teach your dog that they can only chase squirrels if they come to you first.

This shift in mindset turns the dog from a rebel to a partner. When your dog learns that obeying you leads to the very thing they want—squirrel chasing—they’re far more likely to listen. The key is to avoid punishment and instead use positive reinforcement to guide their behavior.

The “Come to Me” Trick: A Step-by-Step Method

Use a long leash (at least 10 feet) during daily walks. When your dog spots a squirrel, let them see it but don’t let them pull forward. Stay ten feet behind, calmly calling their name. Don’t pull the leash or scold them—they’ll ignore you at first, and that’s okay.

Eventually, your dog will grow frustrated and come back to you, just to get closer. As soon as they do, say “Yeah!!!”—a clear, excited cue. Gently touch their collar, say “Okay!!!”, and then chase the squirrel together on the long leash. This teaches them: *Coming to me leads to the squirrel chase. Ignoring me means no chase at all.*

Teach “Not Today” to Build Self-Control

Once your dog starts responding to your recall, introduce the cue “Not today”. When a squirrel appears but is unreachable (e.g., across a busy road), say “Not today” and give your dog a treat. This teaches them that even if they can’t chase, they still get rewarded.

The treat and your cheerful tone help them associate “Not today” with a positive outcome—“Keep moving with me.” Over time, your dog learns that your decision is the key to fun, not the squirrel itself.

Use the “Squirrel Chase” Game to Reinforce Obedience

The real power comes from making the chase a reward for obedience, not a free-for-all. Every time your dog comes to you, you get to chase the squirrel. The brain chemistry of the chase is more exciting than actually catching the squirrel—so the act of chasing is the real reward.

You don’t need to actually catch the squirrel for the training to work. The promise of the chase is enough to motivate your dog. This method turns your dog into a “gambler”—they’ll keep checking in with you, wondering, “Is this the one we can chase?”

Be Patient—Progress Takes Time

This training takes days, even weeks. Some dogs catch on quickly; others need more repetition. The key is consistency. Use the long leash every day, stay calm, and reward every small success.

You may feel silly calling your dog back from a squirrel, but the results are worth it. One trainer noted that after just a few days, a dog who once lunged at every squirrel now waits for the cue. With time, your dog will learn that you are the gatekeeper to the fun—and that’s the most powerful tool in training.