Our 13 month old female staffie seems obsessive about chasing her tail, even after a long walk, and isn't on her own for any long period of time. She goes round and round and usually manages to catch her tail. Is this normal?
2006-11-23 21:24:14 · 20 answers · asked by mark l 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
It's simple conditioning of her brain.
I'm affraid that it dates back to a time that she would have spent confined in a kennel when there was no room to move other than go around in circles.
2006-11-23 21:27:01 · answer #1 · answered by jonti 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hello there
Having been the owner of a 6yo German Shepherd who was a tail chaser, I thought it was a puppy thing but it became an obsession to the point where he was mutilating it.
It started at the age of 12 weeks, I ended up having an animal behaviouralist and my vet getting involved. He was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive disorder. Basically the animal stimulates alot of seratonin where they feel they have to chase and chew their tail to make themselves feel better. Indy was put on a course of Clomicalm (which is expensive about $70) a bottle) It takes about 6 - 8 weeks to see some positive effects. However, there are other ways for them to be helped without drugs. Lots of exercise and concentration tasks where they focus on other things apart from their tail. Getting them to sit and drop and put a schmacko on their paw and tell them to leave. This will encourage them to really concentrate. Unfortunately tail chasing is quite common in certain breeds and staffies is one of those. Even if the dog is beautifully bred, there can be that genetic glitch. This was the case with my shepherd who was never totally cured of it (but was about 98% better) but was controlled. Good luck with it all and if you are finding nothing is working, I can give you the name and number of 2 fantastic animal behaviouralists who are also vets.
2006-11-26 13:08:39 · answer #2 · answered by Tara R 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just playing, may she thinks her tail is a differnt dog or something. I saw this video once where a dog had a bone, and it was wagging its tail. It ended attacking its tail. A lot fo dogs do that. My staffie chases his tail too.
2006-11-23 21:31:38 · answer #3 · answered by Mr Schnoobley 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
this is a psychological problem seen often in Staffies. Some may even bite the end of their tails and cause damage leading to amputation. You need to distract her when she does it.
2006-11-24 00:17:54 · answer #4 · answered by fenlandfowl 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Dont worry she isn't going mad but she isnt getting enough stimulation with toys or playing with you .Try and add about 15 mins a day just to play with a ball or chase somthing ot tugg a war ect .
2006-11-23 22:42:14 · answer #5 · answered by Alix x 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's in your staffie's personality and is perfectly normal. My Staffie does it all the time!!
2006-11-23 22:30:57 · answer #6 · answered by Elijah's Girl 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it sounds like a behavioural problem my g.s.d used to do it but he had problems with his anal glands and this tailing chasing developed into a habit see your vet and a good animal behaviourist
2006-11-24 06:26:50 · answer #7 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
staffies are gorgeous little fun lovers and the more you give them the more they want.you may have stopped entertaining her but shes makin sure the fun doesnt end.atleast you know she can entertain herself when you come to leave her on her own.shes having fun dont worry
2006-11-23 21:32:19 · answer #8 · answered by nendlin 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Staffies are a bit mad. Don't worry about it.
2006-11-24 06:29:14 · answer #9 · answered by punkpanther 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Totally normal.Some people say it's a stress or boredom thing i don't believe that for a second. It looks like fun to me!
2006-11-23 22:46:37 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋