Help

[GSDhandler]

i have gotten a lot of feedback over not letting a pup chase its own tail but it seems the more i discourage her the worse she gets. she gets fixated (only been doing it aweek as well)

what can i put on her tail to make her keep it out her mouth, but is still safe for her.

[puggy_puggy]

Have you tried putting a toy in her mouth when she starts chasing her tail or distracting her in another way? Spraying her with a water bottle?

[Jigsaw]

You could try totalling ignoring the behaviour. Even by trying to distract her you are giving her reinforcement for the behaviour. Sometimes any attention is good attention in a dog (or child's) world! You may have initially laughed (or given some sort of feedback to her) when she first did this, thereby giving her a reward for the behaviour. She now knows tht tail chasing can get a reaction from you so she keeps doing it. Tail chasing can lead to OCD, something working breeds can sometimes tend to.

[Porsche]

Try citronella oil rubbed onto her tail. If she gets a wiff or taste of it it should deter her. These things are best dealt with as soon as possible, otherwise she could grow up to be a real problem. Another thing to try is blasting a horn or loud instrument when she starts it. I wouldn't be giving her any attention at this time either, as Jigsaw says, any attention is reinforcing the behaviour.

[cwm]

Why is it bad?

Ours did it every now and again, we just ignored it - she's a puppy...and now she doesn't do it.

[TerraNik]

Why is it bad?

Ours did it every now and again, we just ignored it - she's a puppy...and now she doesn't do it.

I think it can develop into an obsessive compulsive behaviour.

Jedi chases his tail sometimes, but it's because it's itchy!! So we let him do it. He stops once he's got his tail and relieved the itch!

[WalandLibby]

it seems the more i discourage her the worse she gets. she gets fixated (only been doing it aweek as well)

The 'fixation' and apparent frequency of the behaviour that you describe makes me concerned that she may be displaying obsessive compulsive behaviour. Discouraging the behaviour really won't make any difference if she has OCD - the condition almost by definition means that a dog's capacity to learn to behave otherwise is very limited.

Have you discussed the problem with your vet? If my puppy was doing this I'd be asking them for a referral to a veterinary behaviourist asap.

Edited July 10, 2008 by WalandLibby

[GSDhandler]

she seemed ok today. its just when she starts to get stressed she gets pretty bad, which means its a nervious thing. am goign to get her some nice stress releivng rubber toys to go with all her favourite messy fluffy ones

[Flaves]

she seemed ok today. its just when she starts to get stressed she gets pretty bad, which means its a nervious thing. am goign to get her some nice stress releivng rubber toys to go with all her favourite messy fluffy ones

Please be careful with this.

If it is a nervous thing as you say it could turn into OCD or worse.

Good luck with your little girl, it cecrtainly comes across how much you care about her in your posts.

Are you joining your local GSD club?

THey may be able to offer you some advice

[Christina]

Sorry if I am stating the obvious here but have you checked that nothing is bothering her around the back end ? No point in jumping to OCD if she has. She may just be playing too.

[GSDhandler]

thanks all. ignoring her when she did it and distracting her seems to have worked. i will talk about it with a few folk and trainers soon, as she is starting her PPS soon, and i also know a couple of top bevaiour trainers from proffesional connections.

am going to keep an eye on her for a bit.