26
Jan
Dogs can also chase their tails as a compulsive behavior. Dogs can also chase their tails as a compulsive behavior.
Why your dog chases its tail could also be out of habit.
Is it bad for your dog to chase its tail. If your dog is obsessively chasing his tail your vet can check to see if there is an infection a spinal abnormality or other medical issue causing the. Usually you can help your dog stop biting their tail by simply redirecting their attention. For instance if you see your dog beginning to bite their tail give them a simple command like sit or.
Why your dog chases its tail could also be out of habit. Maybe he did it often as a puppy whenever he was locked up in his crate for long. Or he could have had a trauma around his tail area that has always compelled him to chase after his tail.
An obsessive dog suffering from separation anxiety may chase his tail to help calm himself while his owner is gone. Or your dog may chase his tail when he feels overcome with anxiety when a stranger approaches the house or during a loud thunderstorm. Fleas and ticks are common reasons that your dog might chase their tail and biting their back end.
The pesty parasites can cause irritation to the base of your dogs tail causing them to seem like they are chasing their tail when really they are just trying to bite their back end. Simply train your dog to chase his own tail and he can have all the limelight when these moments come around. Theres also the added bonus that this type of training will make it easier to train him to do a range of other things from heel to stay.
If your dog is biting its tail and also scooting dragging its butt across the ground it might have an impacted anal gland. This is uncomfortable to your dog so it will want to relieve the discomfort. If you notice this behavior youll have to take your dog to the vet.
Only a vet can identify a impacted gland and treat it. If your dog chooses to pursue its tail over any other activity then forgoing the opportunity to eat play or chase a ball you may have a problem on your hands. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in dogs is not a direct concern but our pets can grow obsessed with particular patterns of behavior.
This could explain why your dog is so determined. Oftentimes dogs will chase their tails because they are a bit bored. Its a way for them to have fun and expend some energy.
This is especially true for puppies who may not even realize that their tail is actually a part of their body but see it as a toy. Generally as dogs age this kind of play dies down. Dogs who chase their tails often do so from anxiety overexcitement boredom or an underlying medical problem.
Some dogs such as German shepherds and bull terriers are more prone to tail-chasing behavior. If tail chasing is a regular part of your dogs day you can take steps to help your dog. A dog will chase their tail to expend some energy if they are bored as a way to keep their mind and body moving.
If you observe your dogs doing a lot of tail-chasing it may be a sign that you need to play ball or take them for a walk more. Its a no brainer that our canine companions are as smart as a whip. It is quite possible that a susceptible dog may not chase his tail at all if his environment is ideal and that a dog without the genetic susceptibility may never chase his tail even under the most extreme environmental provocation.
Dog Tail Chasing. There are also a couple harmful reasons your dog might be chasing her tail. Dogs might chase their tails if it theyre infected or irritated by fleas or ticks.
The severity of the problem can vary quite a bit depending on what exactly is wrong. Dogs can also chase their tails as a compulsive behavior. Occasional tail-chasing is a relatively normal dog behavior especially if your dog is still a puppy.
But if the tail-chasing is frequent or your dog wont respond to you and cant be distracted while chasing his tail there may be underlying concerns.