5 month old female chasing tail - Page 1

Can anyone with knowledge and/or experience please post concerning tail chasing in a 5 month old female German Shepherd Dog. Thanks in advance. Don D.

How often is she chasing her tail?  When did it start?  Has she been checked for worms?

What I have is JUST started. I asked for clarification. I asked about health problems waiting for reply.
 What I am asking for here is knowledge or exoerience with a 5 month old. I have done the research on chasing and have even had experience and success in terminating the behavior in a 3 year old male.
  There are things outside the realm of the written word that people know or have experienced that is what I am asking for. Thanks for the input whatever it is.

It is a behavoural problem   a learned behaviour that must be stopped..she is prey oriented and wants something to move..nothing is moving but her tail

Had some of my pups that owners laughed at it,,,thought it funny and then got me  involved to stop it...


DO NOT LET IT GO ON>>>Kennel immed and give a chew  like a COW HOOF>>>>something  to chew..no toys   not a Kong not raw  hide.....

A knuckle bone or cow hoof...then start some play work and some activity three times a day..
Praise dog highly and spent more quality fime with dog...The minute you or family member sees it start this behaviour ,,get attention immediately off of tail and to a toy or tug or a food object and begin an activity of some kind...get mind off tail...

IT IS CALLED  MIND OVER MATTER>>>YOU HAVE TO BE A DOGGIE  PHYSCIOLIGIST>>>>>> NO PAY AND NO SHINGLE OUT FRONT!!!!

Confining dog will take the urge to spin and chase tail...let out gradually back to routine...kenneling pups is a neccessity not a  owner like it or not..

It is a learning period in dogs personality that takes dog mind off of wanting to attack a moving object and all it can find it is tail.


Start immed and keep it up...Gsd require so much of our time and if you do not spend that time   sometimes stupid BEHAVIOUR  pops up....

NOthing to do with health issues.....

YR

 had healthy 4 mos old who occasionally did it in her crate. she has drive and I believe does it out of being bored. I use a knuckle bone in her crate, to occupy her. i also don't allow her to do it, usually make a noise or something when she does. I think she discovered her tail when she discovered spinning in the crate...lol she is now 6 mos old and has pretty much stopped it.

Good Luck

Thank you everyone for the input.  I have really taken time and effort to find out about this; even to the point of putting it here on the board.  I don't come here much as you can see by how many posts I have done.  Her breeder, in my eyes, is reputable and doesn't skimp on the dogs. She told me of the problem when she offered the pup to me and told me she needs the same thing,"She needs to have a job". and I feel I'm up to it. The counsel of many is wise.
   We (the breeder and I) will speak tomorrow, as I would like to go get the pup and not fly her. The drive isn't that great for the great reward of raising and building a relationship with a dog. I've done it more than once for that dog that "you have to see first".
   Again, thank you and I invite other comments or concerns.

                                       Don D.

I consider this a temperament flaw - nerve issues - dogs that chase their tails or spin are dogs with very high drive but don't have the nerve strength to handle their drive.  It is possible that if you work her diligently, give her the exercise and mental stimulation she needs (lots and lots) and correct her in a way that she understands (timely corrections done in a way that does not stimulate her more or cause more anxiety) she could reduce this behavior to times when she stimulates (in the yard, kennel or crate) - but you will probably NOT be able to completely eradicate this behavior.

molly

The pup is bored.  You need to work his little legs off!  A tired pup will not chase his tail.  Echo will chase her tail if I don't give her a good work out.  It's boredom and high drive.  A bad combination.  Yellow Rose has it right.  You need to stop this behavior & the best way to do it is give the dog a job.  This breed needs a lot of exercise daily if not multiple times a day.  Work work work.  You will know when it's time to stop.  It doesn't have to be hard work, just work his brain and his body.  Give him a challenge.  Good luck.