chasing tail - Page 2

You're prob'ly right. I never think of that. 

Duval just has a quirky sense of humour that's all.

I'm probably not right, it's just that the cynic in me can't be tamed! Red Sable, quirky is good!

I have a dog that has engaged in this behavior and spent $$$$$  on behaviorists, veterinary specialists, meds and an MRI to determine if there was a lumbar-sacral issue (there wasn't).  More excercise made things WORSE !!!   The dog has to learn how to relax. 

Sorry, I didn't mean to send yet.


My boy is a high drive dog that always wants more.   I found teaching him to relax using t touch  helpful since the behavior occured especially around me when he wanted more attention, more play whatever.  Meds only made him dopey. 

There were times when an e-collor made sense to use and was effective in stopping the chasing in those circumstances.
For example, when I put him in the yard and closed the door I could hear him growling then chasing his tail.  He was pissed that I was not going out there to play ball with him.  The low shock distracted him enough to see that there were other things to do in the back yard besides the obsessive ball play routine I had unwittingly established. 
 
I   kep the collar on him 8- 10 hours a day and it  definitely has helped.  This is an exasperating problem that I am managing even as he nears his 3rd birthday.  Euthanasia was advised and considered, but the dog has alot to offer and I am not sorry I have chosen to work with the issue and enjoy him for who he is. 

Honestly, as a pup, he never seemed to get tired, so the more excercise he got the worse the problem became. 
Teaching him to relax is key.  Not easy, but worth it if you are committed.

Good luck and keep me posted. 

Chasing the tail is genetic in the way that it occurs usually in highly driven dogs. But it is environmentally induced by the dog is being bored. Physical excersize is not the solution. the best is to pay attention to the dog and teach im something. Get his mind involved rather then trying to get him /her physically tired.  I have got dogs in training  who spun at their home and stopped when I had them and  then they started again after short time after they got back into their home environment.
To the mind comes one  Doberman which spun so vigorously that he drill himself in back yard into 3 ft hole!
If the parents spin that could mean that they are in the same environment .  
The important thing is to deal with this asap . I donot allow the dog to even look at his tail,...that is if I see propesity to such behavior. I do firmly yell "Hey! "at the dog in order to distract him. Then when he looks at me I say firmly NO, and redirect his attnetion to something else.  That works only in the beginning though. Ones the behavior becomes compulsive it is almost impossible to get rid of it.
Prager Hans
http://www.alpinek9.com

red sable,

Thank you for sticking up for me..I ment no offense to this subject and I apologize if it was offensive.....

No offense taken, I just thought that it was a ridiculous suggestion and someone might take you serious

Well on this webiste I would not put it past someone to do it............................