The dog walks in circles. Why is a dog chasing its tail - normal behavior or an alarming symptom?

In this article I will look at the reasons why a dog chases its tail. I’ll tell you what the owner should pay attention to in the pet’s behavior when it chases, spins and bites its tail.

Beginning dog owners may find it fun to have your dog running after you. But chasing the tail for no reason can be a signal that the dog has serious health problems. In veterinary circles, this behavioral pathology is called catching syndrome.

Habit

The dog runs after its tail, thereby occupying its free time.

This is especially true in puppies. A kid, separated from his brothers and sisters, finds himself in a new home trying to find friends. The most active thing that comes into view is the tail, which lives its own life. Puppies do not understand that the moving object is part of their body and try to understand it.

It's another matter if an adult dog starts running around. A childhood habit develops into an obsessive mania. Often running in circles brings the dog to exhaustion. Running after yourself is not always a desire to play.

To suspect something is wrong, it is enough to observe the behavior of the animal

A pet chases its tail for the following reasons:

1. Clinging spines, the presence of tangles on the animal’s thighs. It is difficult for the dog to reach the cause of the discomfort and clean the fur from the cause of the discomfort.
2. Irritated anal skin. Injuries, diarrhea, and allergies often cause itching in the dog’s anus and bother her. In this case, the animal does not run after itself, but after the cause of discomfort.
3. Inflammation and blockage of the anal glands cause itching, burning, and pain, which bring discomfort to the animal. The dog starts running and rolling his butt on the floor.

The causes of itching in the anus are worms, fleas, mites, and fungi. The owner must worm the pet regularly.

Helminthic infestation causes exhaustion, vitamin deficiency, and deterioration in the appearance of fur and claws.

Psychological disorders

The cause of running may be a psychological disorder that is genetic in nature.

The disease can be diagnosed in puppyhood.

You cannot cure an animal, but you can correct its behavior. To do this, you need to contact a veterinarian, he will prescribe sedatives. Training and activities with your pet will also help.

Obsessive behavior in dogs has not been recognized as a disease for a long time and has not been fully studied. The disease manifests itself after 3 months, when the puppy is taken to a new home.

Animals diagnosed with a psychological disorder are automatically excluded from breeding. The disease is passed on to the litter. The owner needs to take the dog to an experienced animal psychologist and dog handler. Specialists will help correct the animal’s behavior.

Dogs with central nervous system disorders are sensitive to loud sounds and noise.

Anxious pets are accompanied by strong salivation, dilated pupils, and pacing around the room.

The owner needs to eliminate the cause of the irritation. Animal psychologists advise accustoming your dog to irritating sounds from childhood.

Typically, animals suffering from mental disorders are not allowed to be bred.

Often dogs will tuck in and run after him if injury is present. The animal could have gotten it by accident or someone might have caused it. The nerve endings are injured, and the dog also shows unusual nervous behavior. Loss of coordination indicates problems with the organ responsible for position in space.

A game

The animal often runs after itself during play. A bored dog begins to look for any source of fun. The first thing that catches your eye is the tail.

Usually the dog doesn't play with the body part for long and quickly loses interest in it.

Running is a hunting instinct that appears in animals from time to time. Boredom may also be a cause. In this case, the owner needs to devote more time to the pet.

When to be wary

Running is often accompanied by other symptoms that should alert the owner:

• involuntary clicking of teeth;
• compulsive licking of paws or other parts of the body;
• chewing fur as a way to get rid of fleas, even if there are none;
• the animal eating its own feces;
• uncontrolled aggressive behavior towards household members;
• aggression of males towards females.

The therapy is based on a technique that allows you to find out the root cause of the disorder

Behavior correction is carried out with the help of a specialist.
The environment should be calm, and a trusting relationship must be established with the animal. If your dog starts to feel dizzy during a walk, you should distract him with play. You can’t feel sorry for or console a dog.

The habit can be corrected based on distracting the animal from chasing its tail. The owner must observe the dog and notice any deviation from the norm in behavior.

Should you worry if your dog is chasing its tail? It’s hard to believe, but this issue is constantly and very hotly discussed on canine forums. It turns out that owners are faced with this strange pet habit year after year. The reasons and conclusions drawn are quite varied. Behavior correction techniques are even more difficult. Let's not get ahead of ourselves, let's deal with everything in order.

What to do if your dog is chasing its tail? At first, just observe and track the triggers. Your task is to understand what pushes your pet to circle and chase. If the problem is not recurring, there is most likely nothing to worry about. No matter how categorical dog handlers may be, It's normal for dogs to sometimes (!) play with their own body parts.

However statistics show if the puppy runs after its tail and this habit does not go away, it’s not a matter of “features”, but of health problems. If a dog at any point in its life begins to chase its tail excessively, bite it, or show other obsessive interest, you need to be wary. Among the harmless, so-called acquired reasons, we can highlight:

• Seeds, spines or tangles in your pet's fur– perhaps the dog is whining and chasing after a painful place that causes discomfort. Since the pet physically cannot reach the back of the thighs, it looks like he is chasing his tail.

• Anal skin irritation– a common consequence of minor injuries. The tissues that are healing itch, and the dog strives to eliminate the discomfort. In this case, again, the pet is not chasing the tail, but the cause of the inconvenience.

• Blockage or– cause severe itching, pain, discomfort and general malaise. The anus itches so much that some pets itch the carpets and floors. There is nothing good about this; the problem will not be solved by itself, but if ignored, it will get worse.

Important! Cleaning of the anal glands should only be done by a doctor after appropriate diagnosis!

• Exhaustion.
• Vitamin deficiency.
• Deterioration of skin and coat condition.
• Itching and bursting sensation in the anal area.

Article

Not long ago, the journal PLoS ONE published the results of a study by scientists from the Royal Veterinary College of London. They decided to find out the nature of a familiar but not fully understood canine behavior - chasing its own tail and catching it. To do this, scientists did not resort to clinical research methods, but analyzed 400 videos posted on Youtube.

Research

A dog can catch its tail in play, but sometimes this behavior can be an indicator of neurological diseases, stress, or lack of physical activity. Veterinarians took into account comments from dog owners who posted the video, as well as comments from viewers or participants in the video.

Users in their comments consider this behavior funny (46%) or cute (42%). Study leader Dr Charlotte Barn said: “There have been more than 3,500 requests for 'Dog Catching Its Tail' on YouTube. This shows that people find the behavior funny and do not classify it as a behavioral problem. However, this behavior should not be encouraged, and dogs should definitely consult a veterinarian. Analysis of video recordings posted online provides new opportunities for studying this behavior. Most often, obsessive tail chasing was observed in dogs of toy breeds (56%) and mixed breeds (43%).”

Veterinarians from the University of the Turkish city of Uludag conducted their own research and found that this type of obsessive

Behaviors in dogs like tail chasing are associated with high cholesterol levels. Most often, this obsessive condition occurred in dogs after some kind of injury or illness, but dogs were also predisposed to itsome breeds, in particular And .

Doctors took blood samples from 15 dogs, which were often were chasing their tail, and in 15 animals not prone to such behavior. Dogs that liked to catch their tail had a highercholesterol level.

This may be because high cholesterol levels are linked to behavior-altering hormones such as serotonin. Scientists don't yet know the reason, but female dogs are more likely to chase their tails.

Causes

It happens that the owner unwittingly encourages such behavior (then it becomes operantly conditioned). Dogs are social animals, and attention from their owner is positive reinforcement. Even if the dog is scolded at the same time, it still achieves what it needs from a person - attention.

Veterinarians classify tail chasing as a stereotypical behavior, just like licking paws, running in circles, etc. There is a genetic predisposition to this behavior because some breeds appear to be more prone to it (in particular, bull terriers and German shepherds).

However, more often the cause of stereotypical behavior is some external reason. For example, a lack of walks, a situation of competition with another dog or even with owners, the inability to communicate with relatives, etc. For example, if a young bull terrier often stays at home alone, and is also deprived of communication with dogs on walks, then it is likely that he will start chase your tail.

In dogs, this behavior occurs in varying degrees, from strong to weak. If a dog only occasionally chases its tail, then the owners even consider this behavior “normal for the breed.” In some cases, the dog is busy chasing the tail almost all the time, and if it manages to catch it, then it gnaws its own tail until it wounds. It seems as if the dog has no other interest in life other than this activity. Such animals have no desire to communicate and play with humans or relatives.

Sometimes tail chasing begins as a “replacement reaction.” The dog finds itself in a situation that it cannot solve, and begins to express its anxiety with behavior that has nothing to do with the problem. Chasing the tail arises from the natural instincts of a predator. The dog may view the tail as something that is not part of itself and that is worth pursuing and catching. In a conflict situation, such a chase can bring some relief to the dog because it fills a behavioral vacuum.

It happens that this behavior appears only at the age of 4-9 months, and then disappears. But it can arise again as a result of some incident: a tail injury, sterilization (castration) or a sudden change of environment (for example, moving from a country house to an apartment where the dog’s freedom is limited).

Most often, dogs that chase their tail also exhibit other obsessive behaviors. In particular, Bull Terriers love to run in circles or show increased attention to certain objects, such as tennis balls.

If a dog that catches its tail is physically prevented from doing so, it will likely develop another form of compulsive behavior.

In rare cases, active tail chasing may be caused by psychomotor epilepsy. Stereotypical behavior is associated with the hormone dopamine, which is responsible for movement. The metabolism of this hormone is increased in animals with similar behavior.

It has been suggested that this behavior may trigger the release of endogenous opiates, which stimulate the pleasure center of the brain and protect the animal from experiencing pain in more severe cases. It is no coincidence that this behavior is often found in bull terriers, dogs with low pain sensitivity.

Fighting methods

First of all, the owner of such a dog needs to change its usual routine. The animal will need long walks, a healthy diet and as muchclasses with the owner.

The dog must have the opportunity to realize its natural instincts, especially hunting ones, that is, to pursue and bring prey. Games such as fetch, frisbee, flyball or tug are useful.

For this condition, veterinarians usually prescribe sedative antidepressants used in medicine (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Clomicalm).

The best way to combat this behavioral problem is through preventive measures. Dog owners do not need to reward this behavior with attention, and if it begins to repeat, then they need to change the conditions in which the dog is kept.

Material taken: E. Patrusheva “My friend the dog”

Video: an example of how BUT chases its tail!

Why does a dog chase its tail? Many dog ​​owners can often watch a touching picture of their beloved dog trying to “catch up” with its tail. As a rule, this behavior of the animal does not cause any concern to the owner, and they see the reason for this in the desire to play or attract attention. Sometimes this is true: when a dog is left alone, it has nothing to do and tries to entertain itself in this way. After a certain period of time, this behavior simply develops into a “bad” habit. However, often the reason why a dog chases its tail is much more serious than it seems at first glance.

And what's the reason?

To think that it is a funny feature when a dog runs in a circle is extremely wrong. If the dog has not done this before, then this is a good reason to examine the animal's anal area for damage, scratches or even foreign bodies. If you do not find anything externally, you should immediately contact the doctor, as this may indicate the presence of worms or inflammation of the anal glands. In this case, the owner will not be able to help the animal on his own, so it is better to entrust the health of his pet to professionals who will conduct a full examination, determine the reasons for the dog’s behavior and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Another reason why a dog chases its tail may be a high level of anxiety. As soon as such an animal is left alone, it begins to destroy the apartment, bark, whine, chew slippers, and go to the toilet in the wrong place. In such cases, the dog is taught so-called “replacement behavior” and, at the same time, medications are prescribed that reduce the level of anxiety.

Also, the reason for a dog catching its tail can be a lack of coordination of movement. And if such behavior is accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, and deterioration in general condition, then this may indicate the presence of liver problems.

As you can see, not all reasons why dogs try to grab their tail are harmless. Often, getting rid of this “cute” habit is impossible without serious help from a veterinarian. If the reason for this behavior is simple boredom and a desire to entertain yourself, do the following. First of all, increase the level of physical activity of the animal: increase the degree of physical activity and the duration of walks, while constantly changing the route. Use the fetch method with a game of tug. The meaning of this method is that the dog catches up with the “prey”, and in return receives encouragement in the form of a game with the owner. And this is much more interesting than chasing your tail!

Veterinary center "DobroVet"

Many dog ​​owners notice that their pet chases its tail. Unfortunately, most often there is a serious health problem behind this funny behavior. This symptom cannot be ignored.

Causes

To determine whether there is cause for concern, observe the frequency of the spinning and try to determine its causes.

Dog handlers identify three main reasons for such behavior in an animal:

1. Boredom, a way to have fun.
2. Psychological problems.
3. Painful sensations.

When not to worry

If your pet is still just a baby, there is no reason to worry. A puppy, separated from its family, often tries to find something for friendship and games. The tail, which lives its own life, is perfect for the role of a toy. When a puppy runs after its tail, it has fun and gets to know the world around it. This is fine.

But, if the baby gets good physical activity, he should not have such desires. Most likely, the animal does not have enough games and entertainment. The owner needs to think about it. After all, if the situation is not corrected at an early age, such behavior will become a habit.

When mature dogs begin to chase their tail for no reason, trying to bite it, it can also indicate boredom or a lack of play. Having attracted attention in this way once, the animal will repeat the action again.

You will have to be patient to train your pet to stop tail hunting. Animal experts recommend:

• buy new toys;
• walk, play, spend as much time as possible with the dog;
• ignore the animal when it is chasing its tail.

Avoid punishments and restrictions, as they will not bring results. The dog will continue to hunt when you are not around, or will find another bad habit - for example, walking in circles, gnawing and swallowing inedible objects.

There are dog breeds that need constant physical activity. For example, a German shepherd. With such a pet it is necessary to constantly engage in training and active games.

Catching Tail Syndrome

This is a psychological disease in which the animal exhibits anxiety and an obsessive desire to perform one or another action.
Signs of this syndrome in a pet:

• aggression towards others;
• nervousness (the dog begins to whine, growl, bark nervously);
• eating feces;
• licking paws, gnawing fur.

If at least one of the points suits your pet, think about it. Unfortunately, it is not possible to completely get rid of the disorder. Most often, such deviations are genetic in nature. But you can make your animal’s life easier.

We advise you to take extra care of your dog, protect it from stress and get it checked by a veterinarian.

Animal psychologists recommend teaching your dog “competitive behavior” - a set of actions that reduce general anxiety and aggression in the presence of a stimulus. Typically, the dog is first taught to follow simple commands such as “sit” or “down” while calm. Then stimuli are added to the process, gradually increasing their strength.

Painful sensations

Your dog may be experiencing discomfort in the tail area due to an injury or health problem.

Burdocks, tangles

First, inspect the animal to see if it has any burrs, tangles or thorns. The dog may be chasing its tail to relieve pain or discomfort.

In this case, it is enough to remove the irritant, and the problem will be solved.

Helminths

Signs of infection in the body:

• sudden weight loss in an animal;
• problems with stool;
• the presence of blood in the stool;
• butt riding.

Hormonal disbalance

Endocrine disorders can also cause irritation in the anal area.

At risk are females in heat and males castrated at a late age.

Timely treatment will help improve the functioning of the endocrine system.

Problem with the vestibular system

Dysfunction of the vestibular apparatus is a serious pathology that signals the presence of a more serious disease. Possible reasons:

• head injury;
• the presence of tumors or polyps;
• hormonal disorders;
• inflammation.

Contact your veterinarian for help. The next stage of the disease is a complete loss of coordination.

Allergy

Itching and irritation in the anal area can be caused by allergies. Examine the animal: allergic reactions are accompanied by other signs, such as bald patches and rashes. The dog's coat loses its healthy appearance.