How to Deal with Dog Tail Chasing Obsession
A dog chasing its tail can be a funny sight but can also be an indication of a behavioral or health problem.
How you should deal a dog who is obsessed with chasing its tail will be discussed.
Why Do Dogs Chase Their Tails?
There are several reasons that dogs become obsessed with chasing their tails:
-
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Dogs can develop an obsessive-compulsive disorder, just like humans. Oftentimes, symptoms of this disorder include repetitive behaviors, such as tail chasing. This obsessive behavior can be soothing to the dog, and the tail chasing may be displayed in response to separation anxiety, over-excitement, or stress.
To deal with obsessive-compulsive behaviors, the owner must first identify the exact triggers for the tail chasing. Once the trigger is identified, the owner can distract the dog to avert the behavior. In this manner, the dog can be re-trained to chew on a favorite toy in response to the stressful stimulus, instead of engaging in obsessive tail chasing.
- Boredom
Another reason dogs may chase their tails is due to boredom and lack of exercise. Dogs require an outlet for their excess energy and may engage in behaviors such as chewing, engaging in play with other humans or animals, or tail chasing.
If your dog is showing signs of obsessive tail chasing, try taking him or her for a longer walk or run. The Actijoy tracking system and App can help you keep to daily goals and make sure your dog gets regular exercise. If the behavior subsides as a result, your dog may simply be bored.
Health & Activity Tracker
- Medical Condition
Another reason why a dog may chase his or her tail is due to an underlying medical condition. For instance, pain in the tail can cause a dog to want to chew or lick the area, resulting in chasing. Neurological conditions can also cause dogs to spin in tight circles. The Actijoy smart dog device can spot if your dog has suddenly changed their behavior, and you can make an appointment with your veterinarian.
- Attention-Seeking
Many dogs love to be the center of attention. If a dog performs a behavior that elicits a favorable response, such as laughter, attention, petting or even being yelled at to stop, the dog is likely to repeat the behavior in the future. If you believe your dog is chasing its tail to gain your attention, ignore the behavior.
Dogs that chase their tails may do so for several reasons, including boredom, lack of exercise, obsessive-compulsive disorder, an underlying medical condition, or attention seeking. When in doubt, always visit a veterinarian to determine the root cause, and consider enlisting the help of a dog trainer if the problem is difficult to solve.
