Desperate for advice with working GSD pup - Page 5

Why would you use an ecollar on a dog with OCD? The correction would cause an OCD dog to excelerate the behavior. Tail chasing cannot not be "corrected out" of a dog. The tail chaser first needs to be evaluated by a very competent vet to try to determine if there is a physical reason for that behavior. If no physical reason is found, then the dog needs to be evaluated by a behaviorist who is well versed in OCD. As I've said at the beginning of this thread, OCD is becoming so common in this breed that the GSDCA has announced a study and is asking for volunteer subjects.

I've seen GSD's with it, some had their tails amputated to no avail as they developed other compulsive behaviors like flank sucking or lick sores and other methods of self mutilation.  2 of the dogs mutilated the stump where the tail used to be. If nothing works for ODC dogs, then the humane thing to do is to euthasize them, they will lead a life or torment otherwise.  The breeding that produced an OCD dog should never be repeated. If either parent produces another dog with OCD, that parent should be withdrawn from breeding.

Why? Because I have trained enough doggys to know what works and what doesnt. Dont just talk about it on a forum ;).

There are levels to OCD or whatever label you want to use. If its so severe that alternate containment, exercise strategies and making the compulsive behavior physically uncomfortable for the dog via E Collar dont work then you better PTS the doggy.

Luckily it isnt always that bad. I have known people that were successful chaining the dog within the crate too. Lots of ways to skin a cat.

Fyi most vets and behaviorists imo are about as useful as tits on a boar when it comes to training dogs. Hey BSCZ your probably right I havent got a clue. :). Luckily its a public forum

Chain a dog in the crate?  That's a life?  how miserable

I would worm this dog;  whip worm comes to mind; can drive them nuts.  3-5 days of panacur will clean that up.  Best of luck  Nan

Your right better to just pts the dog.

The female that was chained in her crate did stop the spinning behavior though she remains fairly high strung from what I hear so it wasnt a permanent solution ;).

It is true some will have OCD..but I would not discount the other possible issues and take the dog OFF Frontline.. many animals have had poor reactions to such monthly toxins and many start with behavior exibits...Just a thought.

why fight about this on line? encourage the owner of this dog to seek a good trainer. help this person recognize a good trainer from a profit monger. Very few dogs have problems so complicated as to requirering a label like OCD. 

Haz, lol, I/was talking about curing schizophrenia in humans. Now that you mention the affliction in dogs....I boarded a sch3 wl dog for a friend of mine about twelve years ago that would bark rhythmically when no one was in sight. I could tell by the sound that he was doing more than just barking. I sneeked over to an advantageous spot where he could not see me easily but I could see him. The dog was attacking first one front foot, pulling the foot away from his teeth, then turning to the other front foot, repeating this over and over again until interrupted. I told the owner when he picked him up, he said the dog wasn't as bad as he used to be. About six months later, he called and told me he had taken the dog to a family reunion, out door picknik. His elderly sister in law was sitting on a bench, petting the dog when it suddenly attacked her. It tore off half her face, nearly killing her. He went to his pick up, pulled his rifle out from behind the seat and shot the dog on the spot. I don't know if the dog could be called schizophrenic, but it definitely was ocd.
I have know of bull terriers that were tail chasers to the point where they couldn't stop long enough at to eat and the tails were bloody pulp. It is genetic within the breed. Training will not eliminate it.

Sherman Ranch points out something that would be my first step. Neurological reactions are COMMON with Frontline. Let's make SURE this is OCD and not a neuro issue by eliminating all other possible triggers. 

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Haz, lol, I/was talking about curing schizophrenia in humans. Now that you mention the affliction in dogs....I boarded a sch3 wl dog for a friend of mine about twelve years ago that would bark rhythmically when no one was in sight. I could tell by the sound that he was doing more than just barking. I sneeked over to an advantageous spot where he could not see me easily but I could see him. The dog was attacking first one front foot, pulling the foot away from his teeth, then turning to the other front foot, repeating this over and over again until interrupted. I told the owner when he picked him up, he said the dog wasn't as bad as he used to be. About six months later, he called and told me he had taken the dog to a family reunion, out door picknik. His elderly sister in law was sitting on a bench, petting the dog when it suddenly attacked her. It tore off half her face, nearly killing her. He went to his pick up, pulled his rifle out from behind the seat and shot the dog on the spot. I don't know if the dog could be called schizophrenic, but it definitely was ocd.
I have know of bull terriers that were tail chasers to the point where they couldn't stop long enough at to eat and the tails were bloody pulp. It is genetic within the breed. Training will not eliminate it.

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Joan, I would not be shocked if this disorder or something similar did exist in the K9 world.  It would explain the ones that just "have a screw loose".

I do agree that some dogs can never have this behavior resolved.  However, there are many in which its a behavior that has been learned often as an outlet for frustration or energy.  Sure there probably is a genetic pre disposition but not all cases of OCD type behaviors are incurable imo.