TAIL CHASING - Page 4

EK take the blinkers off and go and research 'Spinning'  before you assume it's something the owners have or haven't done.  The owners aren't here to give their version of events, yet people are casting aspertions. 

Spinning is a symptom of a deeper underlying predispostion to a canine version of OCD.  It is triggered by trauma or stress, be it a health event or an environmental event.  Some dogs triggers are never totally understood, but in most cases an incident or trauma can be tied to when the dog started spinning.  The trigger may seem totally irrelevant or minor to the nearest human but to a dog with a predispostion to compulsion, it can be a major stress point.

If you knew something about spinning, you would know that not all pups in a litter encounter a stress trigger to set them off, some do, some don't.  They all don't start doing it at the same time, it's not a learnt behaviour.  Some don't spin but show other signs of compulsive behaviour, nail chewing, constant licking (acral lick syndrome)  Kennel walking... shadow and light chasers, even constant ball carrying.  
You would also know that Prozac has been successful in easing the behaviour in some dogs so they can lead a almost normal life.  However it's not a cure and unchecked a compulsive spinner can deteriorate to the point of having no quality of life, none! (Even suppressing spinning can result in the dog redirecting to something else equally as compulsive.)  Some will spin til they are exhaused or worn their back pads off,  some may one day chew their tails up, there's sometimes nothing that can be done to stop it, and euthanasia becomes the only option. 

Just because only one of these pups is spinning now, doesn't mean that others won't start in the future, or develop other compulsive behaviours.  It also doesn't mean that any of the other pups will, but it doesn't mean that it can be brushed under the carpet and the owners blamed outright.

I lived with and managed a Light chaser for 7 years of his life, but you would say that was my fault, not the idiot that threw the lit firework at him and triggered his CCD!

K

I am with AmbiiGSD, OCD. Many times see it around 5 months of age,  the key here is to get on top of it ASAP.  There are other meds out there that do a better job then Proz. , with behavior modification,obed., and meds many dogs live a great life. JMO
Always,
Cee

I had the same problem with a male pup that went to a couple, similar case.

The dog was a high drive dog and was needed definately more stimulation. He started tail chasing at 3 months and at the age of 5 months it was almost a habbit.

I managed to tackle this using Bach Flower remedies and positive reinforcement using email guidance.

If you are interested, I can email you the flower remedies mixture I prepared,

Regards
Petros

Our girl chases her tail far more often that I want to see but I have figured it out.  She either wants our attention, or is bored out of her head or hasn't gotten enough exercise.  She never does it after she has had a long training session.  We strongly discourage it each time.  I always feel guilty when she starts it up because I know I haven't provided good exercise or stimulation.  The GSD is a thinking breed and they need to constantly have something to think about or an activity that lets them work.  The tail is just a handy toy that is just out of reach but always there.  It's either that or shredding pillows, paper anything that interests them at the time.

Update today, i am contacting my vet again today and we are going to take her there, can't see the point in going back to the owners vet because he doesnt want to find anything anyway, she is showing a reaction on her tail approx 5 cm from last vertabrae in tail, so my thinking she has injured it, my vet also suggested spaying her while she there, she normally is a very laid back pup and the trainer yesterday who assessed her did some tests and come to the conclusion that in his opinion in is not physicological but physical, will keep you updated, of course if it is a nerve damage it wont show up on the x-ray but there is a reaction each time you touch or move that part of the tail
thanks again

I read perfectly well EK.   Maybe you should try writing better; then your words would be taken in the context you meant, not in the context they come across.  It is nice to know however that you as a breeder are now 'aware and knowledable' 

Wesenhund   Glad to hear they have pinpointed a physical cause over the alternative, hopefully it's something that can be dealt with easily.  Just make sure that the physical doesn't lead to the physicological.  Sometimes it's a pleasure to be proven wrong

K

What ever K 
EK

By just reading the first topic question and 2 or 3 more I immediately thought - the dog is sort of high drive and/or very intelligent, the owners are not doing jackshit with her and she is spun up, pent up energy and bored out of her mind.

Vets and Shelters are jumping on medication as the new fix all for every issue.  BOTH of the GSD's that I rescued came on the  medication Conacalm (Like Xanax) for lowering their stress.  One dog, Klytie, most likely has megaE as she vomits after she eats several times before it stays down.  Raising the food, and having her put her head up straight above her body while rubbing her throat seems to reduce the issue... The other reason they had  her on it was a poor coat condition and difficulty gaining/keeping weight.  I changed her diet... she's now in beautiful condition with a glossy coat.... and  no meds!!  Duke came with a number of issues as he'd been a feral dog running with a wild pack.  A bit of training, consitstancy and building trust has ended his seperation anxiety (he ate thru a door when he first came here) He also has had a diet change and is now a robust 90 lbs with a great coat.  again no more meds. 

I have to agree that there's a growing trend in the K-9 world to medicate instead of taking the time to train... but as much as I hate to mention it the same things true in rasing children today... Instead of turning off the TV, Computer, Radio and actually spending time with kids folks rely on easy babysitters, and medicate the results.   If we do it to kids... I guess that it shouldn't be a surprise we do it to our dogs.