She is a Czech line GSD. On that particular day she woke me up in the morning at about 8am. (That's two hours later than I normally get up) She went to the door, I let her out, and she played with flies the rest of the day, untill I finally dragged her in. This was an unusual day in that I was busy the entire day and didn't have a chance to take her to the park. I did however take her to the park the day before.

I will usually walk her to the park, where we play a little obedience training game. I make her sit, or down or stay or come. Her reward is for me to throw her ball as far as I can for her to retrieve. I will play this game with her until she shows signs of being tired i.e. laying down in the shade. Once shes good and tired I walk her home.

She is about 9 months old and has extreme prey/ball drive. I can pretty much get her to do anything I want her to do if I have a ball in my hand. This dog will chase anything that moves. I took her to the beach last week and she was the only dog on the beach that was barking at and attacking the oceans waves!

And yes she is crate trained but doesnt stay in it much anymore, unless I need her to be crated for some reason.

Thanks

I just came in from the yard with her. We went for a walk then went in the yard to play with her favorite tug toy. (A decoy on a rope) We played with the toy for about 10 min. After 10 min she started showing more interest in chasing flies than in the toy. She chased the toy, caught it and tugged on it. When I told her to drop it, she dropped it and then circled the yard looking for flies.

I don't think she is bored or under exercised. I think she just really likes chasing bugs.

Why is that a bad thing? It is great exercise for her.

 Quote: paul andrew

Why is that a bad thing? It is great exercise for her.

 Quote: paul andrew

We played with the toy for about 10 min. After 10 min she started showing more interest in chasing flies than in the toy. She chased the toy, caught it and tugged on it. When I told her to drop it, she dropped it and then circled the yard looking for flies.

Do you want her to be more interested in chasing bugs than playing with you?

I know a dog who behaves as you've described with flies. I can't see your dog, but when I watch the one I'm referring to he seems to be fixated on the flies, not just "exercising". Any type of fixation, IMO, is undesirable and unstable behavior.

When my pup started showing more than average interest in bugs, I upped the amount of exercise I was giving her and it stopped. I also didn't allow her to keep chasing them.

Edited by Jasmine Dillon (08/07/2009 05:46 PM)
Edit reason: added

 Quote: paul andrew

I think she just really likes chasing bugs.

Why is that a bad thing?

its a sign of being neurotic and unbalanced, obsessed. And though it might be "great exercise" for her, its exercise that takes YOU out of the equation, its self fulfilling for the dog, and imo at least, thats not something you want to let any dog do(become obsessed, occupy itself)let alone a Czech line GSD...

i don't know, im no expert by any means, but you came on here because you knew at the start that its not natural. Now that someone suggested you may not be exercising your dog enough, doing enough work with her, and now its no big deal....

imo, allowing a dog to chase its tail for 10 hours is also good exercise. is it HEALTHY though? no. this is no different.

 Quote: mallory kwiatkowski

 Quote: paul andrew

I think she just really likes chasing bugs.

Why is that a bad thing?

its a sign of being neurotic and unbalanced, obsessed. And though it might be "great exercise" for her, its exercise that takes YOU out of the equation, its self fulfilling for the dog, and imo at least, thats not something you want to let any dog do(become obsessed, occupy itself)let alone a Czech line GSD...

i don't know, im no expert by any means, but you came on here because you knew at the start that its not natural. Now that someone suggested you may not be exercising your dog enough, doing enough work with her, and now its no big deal....

imo, allowing a dog to chase its tail for 10 hours is also good exercise. is it HEALTHY though? no. this is no different.

I actually started the thread because I thought it was funny... However I will exercise her longer and harder and see if that changes the behavior.

 Quote: Paul Andrew

... I actually started the thread because I thought it was funny... However I will exercise her longer and harder and see if that changes the behavior.

I applaud the fact that you actually read and thought about the replies from experienced handlers about OCB.

Too many threads here about dogs who are so far gone down an OCD path that the chances of rehab are slim to see-through.

Maybe you can also give her something else to do while she's outside for extended periods of time...perhaps a rec bone or a bully stick to chew on? Or maybe something like the Twist N Treat or Everlasting Treat Ball to occupy her for a while?

 Quote: Paul Andrew

Why is the dog out in a yard for ten hours? Why are you leaving her out there to do this. You are just feeding the conpulsion & obsession.

Because I have a life/job. If I am working in the yard or on the house I can't entertain her constantly.

This dog is worked/exercised daily!

Paul, As stated by another here....we all have jobs/lives & have dogs. Many of us, multiple dogs. We get up a couple of hours early in the morning in order to exercise/work our dogs. And spend time in the evening after work as well. I have 2 high drive dogs that would easily become OCD dogs (especially my female) if they didn't get enough work.

The reason that I asked why you were leaving her out there to chase bugs for 10 hours, was because it is so unfair to your dog. YOU are the one making her 'crazy' by your lack of attention to her needs. To think that her obsessive behavior is FUNNY, shows how little you knew about your dogs needs. It was clear to everyone here, only that I stated it first, that this dog is not getting enough exercise. High drive dogs need mental & physical exercise.

The day that I can't give my dogs what they NEED to keep them happy & healthy, mentally & physically, is the day that I rehome them. BTW I have Rheumitoid Arthritis & some days I can barely walk. My dogs still need to be exercised & I still go to the field 2x a day & hobble around, in spite of the severe pain, because I made that comittment to them when I brought these puppies home to live with me.

Fortunately, I believe that the O.P. paid attention and now understands the unfunniness of OCB.

Many people start out laughing at it (remember all the many threads about dogs who started out chasing laser lights that someone teased them with and ended up unable to do anything but chase light and shadow all day long?) until they have a dog who is very damaged.

It's a successful thread that gets this point across before the tragic (and I'm not exaggerating) outcome.

You are right Connie. Enough said.