While I understand that this is more of a behavioral problem then training issue, I thought this would be the proper location for this post. I have a 5 month old GSD with a strong DDR pedigree. He has been kept inside and has overall been a great pup. Within about the last month he has started chasing his tail, non-stop, for hours on end. He was examined by a vet to rule out any medical problem. The vet's opinion is that it is boredom and the tail provides stimulation. The pup has plenty of toys which he enjoys but will go right back to his tail. Both my children and the rest of our family give him plenty of play both outside and inside. But the tail chasing is becoming very annoying to me. Should I attempt to make a correction with him being so young? Up to now, when I see him doing this, I tell him No and turn his attention to a toy. That lasts for about 30 seconds then right back to his tail. I would appreciate any advice. Thanks.

Tail-chasing can also be a genetic issue. In the Malinois for example there was (historically, way back when) a superb working dog and producer...BUT he passed this trait on and several generations later; every once in a while you still see a pup from that line which exhibits this trait.

It is such an 'obsessive' trait that some dogs will spin and tear their tails apart to the extent that some had to be surgically amputated due to the damage. It's not a trait (if genetic) that is normally noticeable in very young pups (6-12 wks), but usually around 5-6 months it becomes noticeable...and from my understanding from talking to folks in Europe who were familiar with this trait...there is nothing environmentally (training, corrections etc...) that will elminate or cure this trait.

Vets usually see this as a behavioral issue (and in most cases it is) but it can be genetic in origin as well.

My GSD chases his tail and you're right, it's horribly annoying. My dog adds another feature- he barks at his tail while chasing it until he catches it. I'm not sure if he's trying to scare his tail or what :rolleyes: . I never allow him to just continue this behaviour very long. I either distract him with another activity like tug or fetch or put him in a down. The tail chasing behaviour seems to reinforce itself so I think the more I let him do this the more he will want to do it. This is the only dog I've had that obsessively chased his tail so I don't know for sure if I'm using the right approach. But at about 18 months he does less tail chasing than he did at 6 or 12 months.

Brian, I had a pup who used to chase his tail as well. It used to drive me up a wall. How nuerotic it seemed. I asked the same questions that you are right now. This board has disscussed this before and from what I picked up on the tail bitting was that it is a behavior issue and that it is okay to correct this problem. It is possible for this tail chasing to become a compulsive disorder. The other problem I noticed with the tail chasing was that when he would catch his tail he would bite it and somtimes this would cause some wounds.
Hope this helps, good luck.

I have a young dog who just recently started this behavior, too. So far I can control it by distracting him or putting him in a new environment. I've read that correcting him would be giving him attention which might either stress him more or reinforce it! So...for those who found an effective way to stop this, please share exactly how. I was thinking of light stim with ecollar but it would depend on being able to watch him most of the time and catching him right at the precise 'tail chasing' moment. I've also read that the longer the behavior continue the more compulsive it becomes- that it's actually a form of canine OCD! Any specific help appreciated!
Thanks.

Other than it being a genetic problem..or a neurotic problem.Boredom problem is probably it.Your pup probably has great Prey drive..and utilizes the tail..in his boredom..so he can work in a sense.The more he does it..the more his prey will come out.."For that moving object". Do you have him kenneled?

I'm with Candace that it's probably a boredom issue. You say

 Quote:

Both my children and the rest of our family give him plenty of play both outside and inside.

But I know I have found with my 9 month old GSD pup that it's not up to me to think I gave her 'plenty' of exercise. It's the amount of exercise she actually needs so she does behave well (and she will also chase her tail!), listen, learn, not behave badly.

For my pup it's not just physical exercise (and since I take her hiking, off leash at least every other day for HOURS, I'm thinking you are doing a bit less than that <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> ) but also mental exercise. She was in obedience training at 5 months, and we started beginning agility training at 8 months. So the weekly classes and training in between also help. Along with taking her to agility trials on weekends for socialization. And making appointments (just like I would to bring my kids to scouts, or ballet, or band) to meet friends with dogs for playdates, or to come hiking, or to go socialize with 'the world' on Main Street for a few hours.

In the meantime I also agree with those who say you need to STOP the behavior because it becomes as fun for a dog (self rewarding) as barking too much, or running out the yard after a deer. So using another toy to distract and play for the next 10 minutes would be the way I'd go. Have to stop the cycle cause I also know dogs that pull the hair from their tails and have the habit get truly neurotic.

Hi,
I'm new to this, so I'm not sure how relevant you'll find this suggestion. I have a dog that uses her tail as a playmate, and I had to finally make her tail an undesirable playmate by spraying it with Bitter Apple mixed with several drops of tea tree oil every other day. It tends to dry the coat and make the hair more susceptible to breakage, but at least it keeps her tail looking like a tail. Bitter apple alone didn't do the job.

Along with the tail chasing..you have lack of self-confidence.A dog can grab that tail for a win of prey...so as to win confidence."There kill".In steps mutilation of its tail...if left alone in doing so.Sprays..and No tactics wil not work...because heir mind is alraedy focused.."Conditioned" Try to get close to her/him while theyare doing this..without stopping them...and just sit queitly.Either the dog will be holding their tail..and won't come close at which time you get closer,,and rub the tail down to her grip.She will protect that grip.DO not scold for it...just sooth for a release and praise.If you enter and the dog immediately stops...then just sit..wait for her to come to you...and work on rubbing that tail with much praise.If she goes to bite again at the tail..Get her attention elsewhere.Candace...It takes time.

How I stopped the biting was to just simply correct him with a "NO", just as I would any other behavior that was not wanted. I then would either have him go lay down (to settle down), or I would get out a puppy tug and take some of the play out of him.
It is a behavioral problem... just like peeing inside the house, chewing on furniture, or jumping up on you. I just believe that it should be firm and not taken out of proportion. Correct the problem and then give him/her something else constructive to do... like chewing on the girlfriends shoes. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />