Puppy chasing tail ... - Page 2

Have to agree Joanro: had a Samoyed girl that circled and circled around her own body, very neuro, very sad and I did have to euthanize her, she truly was a nut case but don't really feel it was her fault and could not do anything about it. Thought later it could have been her eyes, as her brother came up with juvenille cataracts. She was an inscient barker also, and mostly at night. Very sad though. Nan

My friend tried everything with her dog: bitter apple, muzzling (he destroyed TWO muzzles!) a cone (destroyed THAT, too) various types of washes and ointments. NOTHING WORKED until she relieved the dog's stress by giving it more attention. Even if he were out with other dogs, he would still attack his tail. She WAS starting to think it was a neuro problem until changing his environment did the trick (She'd also correct him verbally when he started to focus on the tail.)

double click

How long have you had the pup? Has he lived with you a while before he began doing this? What kind of situation did you get him from?
Farr to many breeders think it is fine to bring pups up in kennels and crates for up to the first six months of their lives if not sold. This can really do damage to a pup.
I have bought dogs at 6weeks of age, 9 weeks, 3 months, 4 months and 6 months. And, it is very obvious the different little quirks that come with....and stay with... the dog.
You can tell which of those were treated "how",, as far as cleanliness and food issues.
Not saying this problem is due to that, but. I have Yorkers and bedlington terriers that go round and round in circles, years after being pulled from their hell, caused by greedy breeder.
If it wash t so sad, it would be funny to watch them walk round and round the coffee table, in a line... even with doors open and they could go out.

not good pre curser for epilepsy

I want to thank you all for taking the time to communicate your comments and suggestions regarding this problem with my puppy.

I have read, and will re-read each individual message. I think you will understand that the replies of this condition have been a shock to hear.

I do hope and pray that this situation will not be as serious as clearly it could potentially be.

Thank you all again - all of you,
Rodeo

And to add, my first gsd boy chased his tail until it bled; he started it about 18 months and continued until I removed him from the environment he was in, we physically moved to a new home in so. CA. from No. CA. and he never did it again. However, did die with symptoms of DM at a fairly young age. Could not totally confirm DM but did have all typical symptoms of the disease as well as auto immune diseases he exhibited also.

If my current boy even looks at his tail, I try to distract him immediately with a firm NO; usually works and I watch him like a hawk. He is really hincky about his tail though also, does not want you to look under it either. So of course that is what I do as well as hold it in my hand and stroke tail etc... Nan

Maybe it itches...

I avoid drawing any attention to their tail...that's asking for trouble. IMO.

The dog in my sig picture chased her tail now and then until she was well up in years, but never became obsessive about it. She was high drive and very mischievous. We made sure she got lots of exercise chasing a ball, tracking, bike riding with my husband, and walking every night. So, it's not always a bad thing.

My current WL dog chased her tail now and then when she was small, but now she's over a year old, the behaviour has disappeared.

I had a Working line GSD who chased her tail alot I got her a 7 weeks of age so it wasn't that she was in a crate too long etc.. She had an extremely heightened nervous system she couldn't stand still to be petted and really didn't enjoy it. Her drives were over the to the top she would get higher the more she worked not calmer. I had to teach her to settle and be calm and to tolerate touch by introducing it slowly and rewarding it. calm on a mat reward calm to pet reward etc.. I always interrupted the tail chasing it did improve with time. But there were always times when she got excited she would occaissionally give a spin or two . She did not have other OCD behaviors other than she was obsessed with working!! I could not get her tired. She never slept. Until she was older and learned to chill.

Lyn