Hunting
Wild dogs are opportunistic predators that hunt medium sized ruminants. Impala represent 85 % of the prey killed by wild dogs in Botswana. African wild dogs also occasionally and opportunistically hunt several other species of antelope, including red lechwe, reedbuck and steenbok and the calves or juveniles of some of the larger species, including kudu, tsessebe, wildebeest, zebra and buffalo. Wild dogs usually hunt during the crepuscular hours of the day, taking advantage of the low light conditions of dawn and dusk. Particularly characteristic of wild dog behaviour is the greeting ceremony, or rally, which occurs prior to each hunt. The whining and twittering vocalisations, physical contact, playing and general excitement that occurs during the rally may function to cement social bonds between pack members, reinforce dominant and subordinate relationships and ensure the presence and alertness of all pack members for the hunt. Wild dogs are extremely efficient hunters and their social organisation is usually explained by the benefits associated with co-operative hunting. However, many if not most kills observed in Botswana are made by a single dog and, because of this, it is questionable that the primary function of group living is prey capture.

Unlike social behaviour practised by most other large carnivores, priority for access to food is given first to the youngest members of the pack. Wild dog pups are allowed first access to the kill and, despite their small size, are able to dictate authority over their older siblings, aunts and uncles since they are supported by the dominant pair. When the pups of the year are finished eating, yearlings feed next, then two-year olds, before the oldest subordinates finally have their turn at whatever remains. The dominant pair seems to be able to eat more or less at will, usually stepping in after the pups have finished. This differential access to food tends to motivate the subordinate adults to hunt the next time allowing them, once they have made a kill, to eat before the rest of the pack arrives. Thus, the social practice of 'youngest first' results in a pattern whereby subordinate adults more often than others, assume the risks (e.g.; injuries) associated with hunting.