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01-09-2012, 08:05 AM
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#1 (permalink) |
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Delaware
Posts: 134
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Relentless tail chasing, staring at the carpet, digging the carpet
I posted this under general behavior, but it is looking more and more like a health issue and thought it might be more appropriate here. I am desperate for help.
Hey everyone, My dog Sam (just about 1 year old) is having some major issues. In the past 2 months he has started chasing his tail relentlessly. He also, usually when someone comes over and he gets excited, he will stare at the carpet as if he sees something and then starts to try to dig it up. He will do this for a good 15 minutes, and then randomly throughout the rest of the day. Most of the time he acts perfectly normal. But when he starts into these two behaviors, almost nothing can take his focus away from it. Ive tried treats, toys, even grabbing his face and making him look at me, he will fight you just so he can avert his eyes back to the carpet and keep digging. He will sit on his tail and grab it between his legs. When he chases his tail its like you arent even in the room. When people come over, dogs are usually all about the new person in the room, Sam just immediately starts chasing his tail and staring at the carpet and digs. Ive read all about trying to divert his attention so break the habit but he just just relentless. Yes he has been to the vet, they found no physical reason why he would be chasing his tail, he doesnt have any rear end problems. What is wrong with my pups brain and is there anything I can do? Medication? Some sort of training? I think he has a screw loose and I am afraid there is nothing I can do, please help. -Matt |
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01-09-2012, 08:25 AM
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#2 (permalink) |
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The Rescues Rule Administrator
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 20,697
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If you are up for a little road trip, Tufts University Vet school would be a great place for you to take your boy.
About Tufts Animal Behavior Clinic : Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine I would start right there and see what they have to say. They were doing a study on OCD behaviors in German Shepherd dogs so have been looking at this behavior in depth.
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Help IMOM help Pets www.imom.org You can help Anna help IMOM help people help pets help people win... |
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01-09-2012, 08:26 AM
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#3 (permalink) |
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Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Northern British Columbia
Posts: 9,089
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Has anyone used a laser pointer to play with him?
How much exercise and training does he get in a typical day? What was he like before this behaviour started? Did anything in his routine or your household change recently?
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Lucia Keeta BH, OB1, TR1, AD (HOT) Rottweiler/Hairy Dog mix?? Shelter rescue Gryffon Vom Wildhaus BH, OFA Good (HOT) "Bites Through the Sleeve" Cuddlebug, b: Mar 2009 |
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01-09-2012, 08:47 AM
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#6 (permalink) |
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Knighted Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Illinois
Posts: 3,225
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Laser play.....BINGO.....trigger for OCD behaviour.
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Huerta Hof German Shepherds www.teamhuertahof.com ....where breeding is still considered an art.... |
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01-09-2012, 08:59 AM
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#7 (permalink) |
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Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Northern British Columbia
Posts: 9,089
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Very common behaviour for GSDs, sometimes even one session of laser pointer chase will result in what you are seeing. I'm not sure what can be done, I'd follow Jean's recommendation above, and in the meanwhile, excercise your Sam's ears off! Tons of playing, running, fetch, swimming or anything else you can think of. Tons of obedience work to tire him out so that he is too exhausted to even think of looking at his tail.
Do what you can to interrupt and stop the digging and chasing behaviour. In the meantime, not sure if it will help, but you can try regular play sessions with a flirt pole. A flirt pole stick like a horse whip, with a rag tied to the end for the dog to chase, and catch. I found this video on youtube as an example, and I actually recognize the person and their dog as members of this forum (just how great are the members on this forum!) Dogs love this, and it won't have the same effect of developing OCD behavior - it will give Sam an outlet for his frustrated prey drive, and let him catch it, play and tug with him, let him win, and it will be rewarding, mentally satisfying, and fun for him, not to mention an easy way to really exercise him until he is so exhausted, he just drops.
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Lucia Keeta BH, OB1, TR1, AD (HOT) Rottweiler/Hairy Dog mix?? Shelter rescue Gryffon Vom Wildhaus BH, OFA Good (HOT) "Bites Through the Sleeve" Cuddlebug, b: Mar 2009 |
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01-09-2012, 09:30 AM
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#9 (permalink) |
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Elite Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: St Louis, MO
Posts: 1,246
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Looks like Jean and Castlemaid have given you some good pointers. Good luck. If your pup gets OCD with the carpet...would a kong full of goodies (frozen peanut butter/kibble) help distract her and at least move her "out of the moment" ?
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Candice Mr Sherman Tank  Everyday brings a new challengeKaos 
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01-09-2012, 09:31 AM
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#10 (permalink) | |
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Delaware
Posts: 134
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Quote:
No? Then lets move on and try to give me some info on how to help, not how im screwed. |
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