My friend just got a dog that was found abandoned and he will walk in a circle for a long time.Why?

Question

The dog is about 5 yrs.,was seen by vet and is a dachand.He is house trained,has a good home now but he will suddenly start walking in a circle for a period of time.Is this a compulsive disorder or anxiety

Answer 1

What he is doing is almost genetic. In the wild dogs walk in a circle to trample down tall grasses to make a spot to lie down. While doing this they also check the area for possible threats to their well being like other animals, etc. Chances are while this dog was roaming and without a home, those ingrained old habits kicked back up...and that was for his own protection. In time, it may go away all on it's own as soon as he realizes there are no threats and no tall grasses.

Answer 2

My Collie was in a kennel for a while b4 I got her. While she was in the kennel she would pace back and forth. Well, after I took her home, she paced back and forth down my hallway at times. It was a few years before she stopped pacing on a daily basis. I think eventually the dog will stop going around in circles. Especially if he is in a loving home, and the owner takes the time to pay attention to him to attempt to brake the dog's habit. I don't see that this is anything to worry about.

Answer 3

Alot of times when a dog is kept in a very small pen they will do this because they are not use 2 having freedom 2 go where they want 2 go. A friend of mine rescued a Japanese chen that did this and she was told it was due 2 being locked up most of his life in a small kennel. He also had weak knees because of it.

Answer 4

Maybe he was on a chain all the time in his former life. If so, he would be used to trying to get away by going to the end of the chain and pulling. He would have naturally gone in circles then. It may have become a habit for him, but as he gets used to the idea that he doesn't have to do that anymore, he'll gradually stop.

Answer 5

The dog was probably kenneled for the majority of its life. It should eventually go away, but for now it's nothing to worry about. Dogs develop this tick from being in a small, enclosed space. Be glad it got away from its previous owners and encourage your friend to take him for nice long walks!

Answer 6

It sounds like anxiety or it has a neurological problem. Since it was abandoned, it's not unlikly that it was abused, and it could be that someone hit it in the head. I would call the vet, explain what it is doing, and see what they think.

Answer 7

that is what most dogs do....he is probably finding a cumphy spot to lie down...he was abandoned so he's getting the feel of the surroundings.In the wild dogs will press down grass to so that the area will be flat for him to sleep. he is still getting used to it so give him some time....GOOD LUCK!

Answer 8

It could be OCD (obsessive disorder) or it could be a vestibular issue seeing how he was abused. I would have his ears and eyes checked by a veterinarian very closely.
Vestibular disorders are caused by problems in the inner ear, brain or eyes. In humans (and animals) they cause dizziness, headaches, circling, etc.

Answer 9

if he does this for a couple of seconds then lays down this is normal, he is getting comfitable.

if he just does it for no apperent reason then he may of been abused my his former owners and does this as a result. or it could be stress andit his way of copeing.

when he does this and he's not laying down try taking hold of his collar with out speaking or looking at him and just sit there holding his collar untill he calms down then let him go. keep doing this and he should stop.

Answer 10

He may have head injuries, or have something that happened in his history that made him do that to feel good. However i believe he may have something against his tail.