Desperate for advice with working GSD pup - Page 1

Hi there, I am in desperate need of help. I have a 7 month old black working GSD that started tail chasing 8 days ago.  Took him to the vet who gave him another worm treament despite him getting Fronline anyway. He and my other female ( 2yrs, also working GSD) get 3 walks per day at 45 minutes appx. But it just got worse. So I decided to up his walks to an hour but he made his tail bleed the other day. He also started doing it during walks as well now. I have tried to discurrage this behaviour by ignoring it and praise him for when he does something right like basic obediance. But he is now ignoring basic commands and is fixated on his tail. I have tried Jan Fennell method though I dont quite belive he is challenging leadership, because he is not vicious or growling at me etc.  I have given him chews and bottles with little holes filled with treats and we are now at three walks per day for one whole hour off lead with frisbees and kong balls. He travels well and stopped chasing his tail on walks but as soon as we come back home he starts again; litterally biting his tail and making the tip bleed. I can't seem to tired him out. Any advice would be so much appreciated as I seem to have exhausted all my resources.

That's a difficult one.

Try some flit pole play, maybe his prey drive getting out of hand.

get a buggy whip with a 12 to 18 inch repeat on the end. Tie some leather or a toy to the end of it and play with him as if he's a cat.

let him chase it, and catch it sometimes, just keep it on the ground....so he doesn't jump up and hurt himself.


 

Thank you will try that. I have never ever come across a pup with such a high drive before and on top of the walk we play in the garden throwing toys. He only get frisbee and kong on walks but he has others that are for the yard. He releaves himself and in his competative nature he can't quite keep up with my female but as soon as you leave them for a roam in the yard he hangs off his tail. It's so heart breaking to watch. I have also considered his diet but came up blanc.

This is typical for a dog with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).  The dog is literally compelled to chase the tail, even if it painful or in the presence of other distractions.  I suggest a consult with a veterinary behaviorist first, a veterinary neurologist second.  There could be a neurological reason, or it could be pain radiating from a nerve in the back or something, or. or. or who knows.  This will only get worse with time.  Get thee to a specialist.

cathy, i agree,  that was going to be my second suggestion, if the first didn't work.

You might want to consider putting a muzzle on the dog.

Start by putting a treat in the muzzle and then immediately distract the dog by playing with it, tossing a ball etc. Make it a high energy fun game.

It takes time to acclimate the dog to the muzzle so don't be fooled in to thinking this is a five minute fix.

It may get the dog over its tail compulsion until you can find a more positive way for the dog to burn off its energy.

Just an idea to try,  before you spend money on veterinary behaviorist  or veterinary neurologist.

good luck

Kim

the fact that it just started 8 days ago i think i would have him checked by a chiropractor and a vet. 

Give him something to chase..he has high prey drive and needs to chase...he is only seeing his tail and you are not introducing him to ropes with a rag on it...or anything tied to a line for him to chase...then put him in crate for 30mins...take out,  let him chase again  and win..he must win...then discretely take it from him and let him do it about 3 or 4 times...reward him at end with a tiny treat , like a dog biscuit or a healthy treat then into kennel to think about it...if you kennel him he cannot chase the tail.and he thinks and eagerly awaits you to do this game....you must do this 3 times a day and take something with you on walks to chase..make a game of it , especially if he starts to look at his tail...do not let him chase his own tail...distract him immediately..do not let the bad habit be a bad one...It is gonna take up some of your time..but as any thing our dogs learn wrong, it takes time to UNLEARN it..

roll it over into a good chase of several things..make new things on a strong rope or anything to chase....let him win after several tries..make it longer and longer between win times...he will soon look to you for the chase ...

I have had many dog owners have this problem...and many of our trainers use this method.. no vet needed...they laugh at  you when  you tell them .....\then charge you 40.00 for nothing.

Yes, he has learned a bad behaviour trait ,but you do not need to hire someone to fix it. Be glad your pup has drives. start obedience commands and take him into a new game or new phase to keep him interested in working or doing something fun..always reward if it is done well..

YR

PS:  had a boy that did that actually drew blood;  soon as I took him out of the environment permanently he never did it again.  ??  I think he even tried it in his crate;  I removed him from that environment when he was 5 years old stopped right then and no more;  also removed the trim on outside of the house a couple of times;  maybe health related as he did end up with DM/Pannus/autoimmune disease.  Check it out for the dogs sake.  Good luck  Nan

It's a mental or health problem.  Training won't fix this nor will trying to exhaust his energy.

It's a compulsion like nail biting.  You have to go to a specialist (Vet) and get tests done.  All the half baked training tips are just that.

He has toys.  It's not toy drive.  Its obsessive prey and  a normal high drive dog would stop when he causes himself pain and would channel it into a toy.  Your dog doesn't do that.  Their is something wrong with him.  Don't monkey around listening to nonsense.  NO high drive dog hurts himself continually out of drive when he has other outlets there to release his drive.

Get professional help asap.