Why do squirrels tease dogs?
Believe it or not, squirrels enjoy teasing dogs because it helps to relieve boredom – it’s a strange spin on the old game of tag! Squirrels goad dogs into chasing them – and at the same time, dogs can sometimes enjoy the thrill of the chase. Crucially, it’s a mutually beneficial moment where both animals choose to let off a bit of steam.
However, a squirrel may also appear as though it is teasing a dog when in actual fact, it is trying to defend itself. It could be that it has kits (or baby squirrels) in its nest, or a food reserve that it is building for the winter. If that is the case, then it will be doing its utmost to keep other creatures out, especially ones that could easily harm what is most dear to them. Squirrels aren’t afraid to show aggression if need be (and some studies suggest this can be down to urbanization).
The squirrel is impressively plucky – and while it will run away if it is under immediate threat, no studies exist to suggest that squirrels are actually afraid of dogs. Dogs can be considered predators in rare cases, but the squirrel is most likely keeping its eye out for wild mammals such as weasels, foxes, coyotes, and bobcats – not domesticated beasts.
Therefore, the relationship between squirrels and dogs can offer a bit of mutual fun – but things can turn a little risky if you let these creatures get too close to each other.
Why Do Squirrels Tease Dogs
Why would a creature so small tease a much larger predator? There are several reasons why a squirrel would tease a dog, most of them are the same reason why children would tease each other.
To Protect Themselves
The third reason squirrels tease dogs is because they’re just trying to get away.
If a squirrel is being chased by a dog, it will try to find the closest tree. It’ll scurry up that tree as quickly as possible before any harm can come to it.
Once at the top of the tree, the last thing the squirrel wants to do is be caught by its new “enemy.” So, it might start throwing sticks and nuts at your dog to try and drive him off so chase after him. This allows enough time for it to escape safely.
Since dogs cannot climb trees, they have no way of catching up with their prey once they’ve reached a safe spot in one of them.
The dogs usually give up before too long and go back home.
Pets VS Squirrels Compilation! (Cats and Dogs chasing squirrels)
Stop teasing me!” With squirrels, if your dog is behind a window, a locked door or if he is on a walk withheld by a leash, he may bark from barrier frustration. In other words, the barrier prevents him from chasing the squirrels and this triggers his frustrated barking.
Why do squirrels tease dogs? One reason why squirrels tease dogs may be to relieve boredom, teasing each other keeps them active and entertained. Another reason for their behaviour could be that the squirrel is trying to protect its territory from this large predator.