Quote: arun basak

We have tried two ball or trading for another object with absolutely no success whatsoever with Fritz.

Just want to mention that the trades are "trading UP," for me, if the dog doesn't get it, just at first, for the dog to see the marvels of trading. If the dog doesn't have a total drop-dead favorite item, I would create one. I would withhold one, wiggle it wildly when I deigned to produce it, maybe put good smells on it, whatever, so that the dog with the everyday item in his mouth sees you offering The Item of Joy and immediately drops the crappy one to get the Item of Joy.

Same with trading food.

At least this is my M.O. (Of course I have also had dogs who always want the bird in the bush rather than the one in the hand, but if not, I set it up! )

JMO.



eta

I don't mean you keep trading up until you are giving him the house deed in exchange for your wallet. This Item of Joy is the opening volley so the dog quickly learns that trades are not a loss to him. It doesn't take long, as long as a trade never ends with the end of the game .... he will quickly understand that trades lead to more game, more food, or whatever.

Edited by Connie Sutherland (08/12/2010 02:13 PM)
Edit reason: eta

GSDs are very prone to OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) & often spinning is one of these displayed behaviors.

Is he just spinning in excitement or is he chasing his tail. This is 2 different things. To me the tail chasing would fall into the OCD catagory & is usually done to get attention, to occupy themselves when bord etc.

Just spinning with excitement is not. It can be most likely be handled thru the use of OB like Barbara stated.

If it is truly OCD tail chasing. Other means, especially after it has become so ingrained would need to be used to address this issue. Most often an e-collar would be the choice depending on when & where it is being done. Sometimes putting a line on the dog & seriously correcting can work. But that is usually when the dog is very young & first starting this behavior. It also has to be being done in your presance & in a posiiton that you are able to correct the dog. Corrections need to be consisitant until the behavior is extinguished. I would say try the marker work, but if it is truly tail chasing the self gratification that they get form the behavior will most likely not be changable with markers alone.

If usuing OB th dog needs to learn, as Barb, said, that he doesn't go out the door, out of the kennel etc without stopping the behavior. Again consistancy is the answer to correct this.

I will also add that some behaviors are caused by temperment issues & are difficult to change.This dog sounds hectic to me, which would be a temperment flaw. Like humans some behaviors can be modified but may not be completely extinguished unless you are willing to sacrifice the spirit or mental soundness of the dog. Soft dogs, dogs with nerve issues etc can shut down & turn off completely & even turn handler aggressive etc if handled incorrectly when trying to eliminate some unwanted behaviors. You need to be carful how you work with your dog.

For the release, you need to use something to trade for that he holds in a higher value then the ball or toy that he has. I would not leave any toys with this dog. The toys are yours & get put up when you are not playing with him. This way he lears that they are not his to possess.

I would also give him a stuffed kong or bully stick, something to keep his attention when just hanging out in the kennel to keep him busy.

Hi Anne ...

Fritz spins when he is excited.
He is NOT a tail chaser.
Once he gets the Kong between his teeth, there is no way- short of using a jackhammer or anaesthesia to get that thing out of his mouth!

Whereas I am inclined to agree with your statement, "This dog sounds hectic to me, which would be a temperamental flaw", we- his human family, have every intention, even if it takes ages, to be successful in calming Fritz our "Black Clown".

I would, once again, thank Barbara, Jennifer, Connie and yourself for the many suggestions that you all have provided me with so far.

Should we, perhaps, turn the page and commence training Fritz afresh?

Sorry,

Did not notice that wifey Kathryn had been perusing the site and had not logged out!

I don't know if this is related at all, but I had a working sheltie years ago that did that or something similar to it. I thought she was just insanely excited until she did it in front of my vet. The vet said it was 'pre-seizural' or something to that effect. I would just try to talk her down and give her something else to focus on if I caught it before it really got started, otherwise, we would just clear out of her way. It seemed to be better when she was steadily working (herding). When we had time off, it got worse. Stress also brought it on.
It may not hurt to have a complete physical done, if nothing else, to rule out any abnormality.
Best wishes to Fritz!

Lisa, I wondered about this earlier on and asked when it happened, was it realated to coming home, etc...

When did your dog show this behavior? Was it completely random or related to anything you could identify?

Just a thought....

I remember watching an episode of the Dog Whisperer where there was a GSD that was spinning like a top.

They had tried all sorts of things, but Ceaser solved it by giving the dog a job.

The " job" was to wear a backpack. (so simple!)

With some time and work on basic OB it did help.

A backpack with weight gradually added can really add a punch to his exercise routine as well helping to wear down that pent up energy he has.

Would a weighted backpack have the same effect on dog's joints as being overweight? Especially a GSD?

Hi Arun,

I had a family turn over a GSD to me three years ago because of his "constant, frantic, spinning behavior." A beautiful dog with very good OB. It took several days of being here before this behavior surfaced, and it was much like you described. The dog could just be in a down and suddenly jump and start the spining, yelping, and displays of somewhat aggressive behavior. After watching this for days, I noticed that it was shadows that were setting him off. I spoke to the family, attempting to get more info, as I have witnessed dogs develop canine compulsive{OCD} disorder from chasing lights. I did find out that the number one game this dog had been exposed to, by their kids, was chasing laser pointers and flashlights.

I am not saying this is your dog's situation, but these compulsive disorders do exsist, they are termed stereotypies, and behavior modification alone is not always helpful. I was told by a vet, that does have experience with this disorder, that it is believed, in some cases, to result from convulsions or small seizures.

This dog was treated with medication, and I was told to ignore the behavior as it could actually reinforce it, and to increase exercise as not all cases are due to convulsions. He did go to a new home, and most of the behavior did subside.