Dog snapping at the air, weird behavior - Page 1

Malinois will be sitting or lying down, throw her head back, and start snapping at the air.  For no apparent reason.  I thought it was because there was a fly, but there was nothing.  Maybe boredom when in the house?  Only happens once in a while, should I ask vet, seems weird.

There are theories that this could indicate a form of epilepsy

Sounds like focal seizures. A very informative website is http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/   click onto "Click here for table of contents" . Under table of contents you will see "partial or focal seizures". I hope this helps.

This sounds like it could be Canine Epilepsy.  I have a GSD that has epilepsy and this symptom is sometimes referred to as "Fly biting". Some dogs only have minor symptoms (such as only fly biting) and others (such as my GSD) have grand Mal seizures and cluster seizures.

I would check out Canine Epilepsy websites such as www.canine-epilepsy.com and other websites to learn about what canine epilepsy is and to familiarize yourself with the symptoms, treatments, etc.  I would also contact your veterinarian in case this is what it is. You will find by reading through the canine epilepsy websites, that not all veterinarians are experienced with this and you may need to consult with a specialist.

As for the meds if it is epilepsy, they are not overly expensive, and it is possible to gain control over the seizure activity with just one medication. The two most commonly prescribed meds are Phenobarbital and Potassium Bromide. Since my GSD's seizures were severe, it took about a year to find the correct balance using both meds to acquire a good amount of control over his seizures. The Phenobarbital reaches theraputic levels within 20 to 30 minutes after given the dose.The Potassium Bromide on the other hand can take about 60 days to reach the levels needed to control the seizure activity. As you can imagine, finding a correct dosage level between the two medications is really a mater of trial and error. Your Vet will do blood tests periodically to determine the levels of the meds and make sure that the meds are not effecting the dogs health. Those tests cost about $175 every 6 months and the combined meds (my GSD is 120lbs) is about $90 every three months.

On a positve note, if it is canine epilepsy, it probably will not effect your dogs quality of life. The phenobarbital may take a slight edge off of the dogs drives, but nothing drastic that I had seen. It may take several months for your dog to get used to the meds, but after that things should return to about normal. Good luck. 

I'm trying to figure it out.  I first noticed it when I was smoking once and she started biting at the smoke in the air.  Now she does it sometimes when there's nothing always when shes sitting in the house, never lying down, but not quite like the dog in that video, it's not like shes going after something, it's just like snapping her teeth.  I will keep observing her and ask my vet.

 Common Compulsive Behaviors

• Spinning   Some dog spin in place and aren't easily distracted when doing so.
• Pacing   Some dogs walk or trot along a specific path in a fixed pattern. Pacing can be in a circle or in a straight line.
• Tail chasing   A dog runs in a tight circle, as if chasing his tail. Tail chasing may include physical damage to the tail or just the motion of chasing it.
• Fly snapping   Some dogs chomp at the air, as if they're trying to catch imaginary flies.
• Barking   Some dogs barks almost nonstop when there is no apparent trigger.
• Toy fixation   Some dogs repeatedly pounce on, push, chew or toss a certain toy or toys in the air. Often the pattern of play is repetitive. This kind of compulsive behavior frequently occurs in a specific room, but a dog might engage in compulsive behavior with specific toys in any room.
• Shadow or light chasing   A dog chases shadows or light.
• Self-Injurious chewing, licking or scratching   Some dogs inflict injury to themselves through frequently chewing, licking or scratching some part of his body over and over. NOTE: Dogs who excessively or compulsively lick or chew themselves must be taken to a veterinarian to rule out physical causes, such as pain and itching.
• Flank sucking   Some dogs suck on the fur or skin on their flanks (the area above the thigh).
• Licking surfaces or objects   Some dogs frequently lick a surface or an object (for example, a spot on the floor or couch) over and over again.
• Excessive water drinking   Some dogs repetitively drink water, even when they're not thirsty.

www.medicinenet.com/pets/dog-health/compulsive_behavior_in_dogs.htm

Ok my 3 dogs have several of those, LOL.  Malinois for ya. 

The "air biting" dog does drink water out of boredom, if she's either in the yard or in the house, she will wander over to it every 15 minutes and have a few sips, until she pees totally clear!  Now I have to ration it to her which I hate doing.  She would also gorge herself if she gets into food, will eat anything, even a banana peel.  Never chased light, but will chase smoke.  Goes nuts over an ant on the ground.  The only way to housebreak her was to q-tip her because she would get overstimulated outside as a pup and "forget" to potty, it would literally be coming out of her and she still wouldn't notice.  She's actually very calm in the house though, soooo much better now that she's an adult.  I could not even hold her to cuddle as a puppy because she never stopped moving, and now shes much calmer.

Another is a lifelong flank sucker, if I take the other dogs out before him his flank will be soaked.  He's also a pacer, if he's in the dog run he paces like an animal at the zoo.  He's also the crate spinner, if there's tugging, bitework, or anything fun going on he will be spinning so fast wind comes off him.  But he couldn't care less about biting smoke and doesn't care about ants.

Thankfully none of them are self-injury and only one spins.

Neurotic behavior. Dog needs a job

Nothing is ever enough for them they always want more, wether its bitework, petting, or food, Gimme mooooree!!

It is not just a matter of exercise, one can help make this worse, or better, but the heritable tendency is always there, IMHO.