tail chasing

[babyblue5290]

One of my dogs (Copper) chases his tail, not alot, but he does do it to the point he will sometimes grab the fluff of his tail and rip it out . I don't know what it could be...any suggestions on why he does this and how to stop it?
I already tried bitter apple spray on his tail, but it doesn't seem to be working.

[Liz]

Bogart wants to know, what is this tail thing you speak of? All he has is his little nubbin.

I think many dogs do it out of boredom or perhaps it is considered OCD. Not really sure. Another idea is his anal glands. I know some dogs will chase their tail if their anal glands are full. Has he ever had any problems with them before? That's probably a stretch, but just an idea or something to consider.

[babyblue5290]

Originally Posted by Liz

Bogart wants to know, what is this tail thing you speak of? All he has is his little nubbin.

I think many dogs do it out of boredom or perhaps it is considered OCD. Not really sure. Another idea is his anal glands. I know some dogs will chase their tail if their anal glands are full. Has he ever had any problems with them before? That's probably a stretch, but just an idea or something to consider.

I don't understand how it could be boredom cause he gets PLENTY of excersice and training, but maybe I will teach him a new game.
It couldn't be anal glands, all my dogs get groomed thourouly (including cleaning anal glands) twice a month. The rest of the time it is just the basic grooming, like brushing, teeth,nails, etc.

OCD...thats Obsessive Compulsive Disorder right? Do you know what to do if it was that? Does it require vet trip and some medicine or is it just a fact of training.?

Thanks

[babyblue5290]

and how would I get him to stop?
Did I mention before that for some reason he likes the taste of the bitter apple spary.....that wierd dog

[Liz]

Hmmm, I wish I could be of more help. I'm really not sure what the appropriate response to tail chasing would be, if any. If he doesn't do it a lot, I don't think I would worry very much, but if he does it to the point of ripping his fur out which you described, maybe I would take him to the vet just to be safe.

And don't worry, you're not the only one with a weird dog...my dog likes the taste of Bitter Apple too.

[babyblue5290]

Originally Posted by Liz

Hmmm, I wish I could be of more help. I'm really not sure what the appropriate response to tail chasing would be, if any. If he doesn't do it a lot, I don't think I would worry very much, but if he does it to the point of ripping his fur out which you described, maybe I would take him to the vet just to be safe.

And don't worry, you're not the only one with a weird dog...my dog likes the taste of Bitter Apple too.

Thanks....I will just take him to the vet and see if they can suggest something....as long as I don't have to dock his tail it should be fine.
Thanks for your help.

[Giny]

Tail chasing is usually a normal behavior and it’s usually something they do to amuse them selves. If it’s excessive I’ve read somewhere that there's actually and obsessive compulsive disorder dogs will have when it comes to tail chasing, can't remember the name, and they just can’t seem to stop doing it. If it’s to that point I’d suggest bringing him to the vet and see what he thinks.

[Giny]

I found this link about dog tail chasing that's an interesting read. Thought you'd love to read it too.

http://www.petplace.com/articles/artShow.asp?artID=4066

[flyndog]

Tail chasing can be an OCD. Often there are other OCD behaviors involved, too. Some breeds are prone to it. The best thing to do is to ignore it. Don't laugh, don't try and stop it, just ignore it. If it is so bad that he can't stop or is really maiming himself, then you need to see a vet for medication. OCD's can start suddenly.

[logo]

im not sure if this is a large breed... but i do know that cleaning anal glands too frequently can be just as bad as never cleaning them. it could be he is irritated back there... but that is usually manifested by licking.

if you think its a boredom thing, why dont you have him chase something (like a toy) when he starts chasing his tail?

im not sure about the ocd thing... sounds like he is just bored.

[babyblue5290]

Originally Posted by logo

im not sure if this is a large breed... but i do know that cleaning anal glands too frequently can be just as bad as never cleaning them. it could be he is irritated back there... but that is usually manifested by licking.

if you think its a boredom thing, why dont you have him chase something (like a toy) when he starts chasing his tail?

im not sure about the ocd thing... sounds like he is just bored.

I really doubt it is boredom.....he is always up doing something all day, until night time when he sleeps. I was thinking it might be overstimulation from all the dogs all the time and training and everything? I think that had to do with the OCD, but am not sure how I could make it more calm...I have a lot of dogs and having him here means he is with other dogs, although they each get individual time with me, but do you think he needs to be in a home with less activity?

[Ritz459]

Maybe I missed something, but is he a puppy? I know that when I watched a friend's 6 month old GR pup, it would chase its tail. It would see it wagging, and so it would start to chase it. lol Then it would catch it and flop down and chew it. I thought it was cute and funny, since she wasn't hurting herself, and it kept her amused. lol

[oc_spirit]

OC my Sibe does this every now and then too (at least once every other day). It's sometimes because he's bored, sometimes because someone grabbed his tail, sometimes when he's frusterated about something (ex. me being on the other side of the fence) and other times just cause. LOL I don't worry about it because after 1-2spins he's done and has moved on to something else and it's not consistant. It also makes for a good laugh for on-lookers nd he doesn't hurt himself. Sometimes if he catches his tail he will lose his balance and end up on his butt so if we're on a hard surface I'll distract him or stop him in some way from doing it.

[babyblue5290]

Originally Posted by Ritz459

Maybe I missed something, but is he a puppy? I know that when I watched a friend's 6 month old GR pup, it would chase its tail. It would see it wagging, and so it would start to chase it. lol Then it would catch it and flop down and chew it. I thought it was cute and funny, since she wasn't hurting herself, and it kept her amused. lol

No....not a puppy, the one doing it is copper...the red boy in my signature...he is a full grown adult, but i have never seen him do this before...I just noticed it a few days again and began to worry.