Why Dogs Chase Their Tails

Continue reading...

Dogs are some of our oldest living companions, but they are not without their quirks. Be it funny faces, contortionist-like sleeping positions, or moments of energetic mania, dogs have character and personality. One common dog quirk involves chasing their own tails.

While many dogs do it when struck with a burst of playfulness, the reasons behind self-tail chasing are varied. Often this behavior materializes in moments of joy. It can, however, also be a cause for concern. Watch the video above, and then we will explore the topic further. (For other canine quirks, discover why dogs dig on their owner’s beds.)

Puppy Love

The world is an exciting new place for puppies, full of adventure and novelty. As they grow more aware of the world around them, so grows the awareness of their own body. Once puppies realize they have a tail attached to them, they might investigate it with their mouth. Seeking more information about their tail, puppies will spin in an attempt to grab it. This can also materialize when they are feeling playful or are hit with a burst of excitement. Puppies chasing their own tail is the most benign form of the behavior. That said, there are other, more problematic reasons for it.

Boredom

Nearly all dog breeds require a certain amount of activity. They are very physical animals, and physical activity helps them meet their mental and emotional needs. When these needs fail to be met, dogs quickly grow bored. To manifest some novelty, dogs will often chase their own tails. It keeps them moving and occupied. It also provides a challenge that keeps up the momentum.

If your dog is bored enough to chase its own tail round and round in circles, it probably needs more consistent stimulation. Luckily, this problem can be rectified through more attention and activity. You can do this by giving your dog daily walks. You can also take them to new places to explore, sniff, run, and dig. Providing problem-solving games and activities like food puzzles and snuffle mats also work. If your dog has enough activities to keep them occupied but still reverts to tail-chasing, consider setting up a play date with other dogs.

Anxiety

Sometimes dogs get anxious. When they lapse into bouts of anxiety or nervousness, they tend to resort to self-soothing behaviors to calm their nerves like chasing their own tail. It can provide a sense of comfort, relieving them in the face of frightening or uncertain situations.

Dog anxiety also manifests through repetitive behaviors. When dogs are confined for extended periods or kept separate from their family unit, they will resort to repetitive behaviors like tail chasing. Dogs being confined in kennels is the most common example. When they are stuck in a cage without enrichment activities, dogs will often quickly spin in circles and grab their tails. It can also happen when they are kept outside or in a large, but still confined space like a dog run.

Unintentional Reinforcement

Truth be told, the fault may lay with the owner. When a dog chases its tail in front of its owner, the owner often sees it as funny and entertaining. If you see your dog chase its own tail and laugh or give it a treat, the dog learns that this behavior is encouraged and will be rewarded. The simple acknowledgment of tail chasing in a positive manner may lead to dogs continuing the behavior. If you’ve unintentionally trained your dog to chase its tail, stop giving positive reinforcement in order to curb the behavior.

Medical Issues

If your dog has never chased its own tail but suddenly starts doing it, there might be a medical issue. When the frequency of the behavior increases, you might want to take your dog to the vet. The tail chasing could be due to several medical reasons. These include anal sacculitis, a flea or tick infestation at the base of their tail, a seizure disorder, or even cancer.

While these types of medical issues are rare, if your dog shows signs of distress in tandem with tail chasing, it’s best to get them checked out by a veterinary professional. If the problem is not physiological, however, it might be psychological.

Canine Compulsive Disorder

It turns out that a man’s best friend can develop psychological problems like their furless counterparts. One such psychological disorder that affects dogs is Canine Compulsive Disorder (CCD). Somewhat similar to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, CCD involves repetitive canine behaviors that become a detriment to their health and well-being. When severe, CCD causes dogs to not respond to commands or training, opting instead to repeat behaviors like tail chasing over and over. It can get so bad that dogs forego eating and drinking. Sometimes, CCD will cause dogs to bite or chew at their tails until injuring themselves or creating an infection.

While CCD is rare, some breeds seem to be more affected by it than others. Various types of terriers including Bull Terriers, Miniature Bull Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers feature a higher occurrence of CCD. Other breeds like German Shepherds also show a predisposition for compulsive behavior.

Luckily, there are treatment options available. Dogs with CCD are typically treated with medication like fluoxetine and hypericin. When those fail, vets will often prescribe sedatives or anti-seizure medication to help CCD-afflicted dogs self-regulate.

Solutions

If your dog tends to chase its own tail but your vet doesn’t think it’s due to a medical condition, there are methods you can use to help curb the behavior. For one, be sure not to reinforce tail-chasing behavior through laughter, treat-giving, or training. If your dog seems bored, replace tail-chasing with another stimulating activity like brain-challenging puzzles or physical activity like fetch. Boredom will cause dogs to do curious things, so be sure to keep them enriched with novelty and excitement.

If all else fails, talk to your vet. They might have some helpful tips or refer you to specialists like certified behavior consultants, applied animal behaviorists, and veterinary behaviorists.