How to wean a dog from chasing its tail. Catching a tail as a way to have fun. Video - The dog runs after its tail: a psychological problem

Any form of dog behavior has its own motivation. Many are familiar with the situation when a dog chases its tail, and, grabbing it, begins to torment and gnaw it. What explains such a run? There can be quite a few reasons and not all of them are harmless. In some cases, this behavior indicates that the dog is seriously ill, which means that he needs veterinary care. The pathology is called "tail catching syndrome". In this article, you will learn why your dog behaves this way and how to wean him from this bad habit.

Main reasons

The reasons why a dog chases its tail can be quite varied. They fall into three main categories:

The first includes behavioral features, when “tail catching” is a behavioral reaction of a dog to various situations.
The second group of reasons is as follows: the dog reacts to physical discomfort in the back of the thighs and anus.
The third category is various pathologies, the symptoms of which are pain and itching in this area.

A separate and most serious reason is psychological problems. The disease is called "tail catching syndrome" and is an independent pathology.

Features of dog behavior

Consider why healthy dog chasing his tail. The main situations that can cause this behavior are:

The manifestation of a young dog's hunting instinct. The puppy is interested in any moving object, including his tail. He just can't help chasing a fleeing target.
Boredom. In the event that the animal is rarely walked, does not play with it, it makes up for the lack motor activity through a kind of pursuit. This is an opportunity to run and have fun on your own in a small space.
The desire to attract the attention of the owner. Perhaps she feels lonely, and so in an unusual way tries to draw attention to itself, to cause a reaction of the owner - negative or positive.

physical discomfort

Everything that gives the pet pain or other discomfort in the area of the tail or croup, causes an attempt to get rid of them, which the dog does, trying to reach problem area. It can be:

burrs stuck in long hair and prickly skin, or tangled hair in the back of the body;
skin irritation and itching intense heat, especially in the presence of a thick woolen cover;
if the tail is docked incorrectly, the sharp edges of the stump can press and injure the skin;
Tail injuries can lead to nerve endings and pain in this area.

Painful conditions of the body

If the dog often runs after its tail, then this may indicate various diseases and pathological conditions organism. They are symptomatic of pain or severe itching in the anus and back of the thighs:

Allergic reactions that cause rashes are sometimes localized in the anus and cause severe itching there.
Hormonal disruptions during estrus in females can cause states of psychological instability, which manifests itself in a similar way.
Vapor inflammation anal glands as a result of their blockage is the cause severe pain. Wanting to alleviate his condition on his own, the dog tries to reach the place of localization of pain.
Helminths that live in the rectum also cause itching in the area anus. Dog, in an attempt to eliminate unpleasant feeling, undertakes various activities. In addition to circling in one place, she can ride on the priest on the floor. Helminthiasis - especially common cause“tail catching” if the dog leads a street lifestyle or its diet contains raw meat.
Hypovitaminosis is another possible reason skin itching and circling in place.
Vestibular syndrome develops as a result of inflammatory processes flowing in inner ear or striking auditory nerve. As a result, the dog loses spatial orientation, suffers from severe dizziness.
Liver disorders are suspected if this symptom is accompanied by worsening general condition animal, yellowing of the mucous membranes, lack of appetite, nausea, stool disorders.
Late castration is fraught with hormonal disruptions, and hence the behavioral features that can be manifested by anxiety, as well as circling in place.

Psychological problems

In some cases, the disease in which the pet chases the tail is an independent pathology and is called "tail catching syndrome".

Pathology is genetic in nature and is an obsessive-compulsive disorder (obsessive desires that turn into repetitive actions).

The disease is diagnosed in early age and progresses over time. It can be corrected by providing psychological help and the use of sedative therapy, but the complete elimination of symptoms does not occur. Dogs with similar pathology are excluded from breeding programs because it is inherited. They do not take part in dog shows.

Pathology is a symptom of obsessive compulsive disorder and is accompanied by an increased level of anxiety in pets. It is manifested by seizures without loss of consciousness, the cause of which are areas of pathological electrical activity in temporal lobes the brain responsible for animal behavior. Periods of circling around its axis can usually last up to 10 minutes. Before this, the sick dog examines its tail intently, accompanying the action with a squeal or growl. Can join causeless fears, hallucinations, painful aggression. The disease is exacerbated in the case of prolonged keeping of the animal in conditions closed space(in a cramped enclosure), which is the reason for the increased level of anxiety. Other irritants can also provoke an attack: loud sounds, strange dogs on its territory, sharp shouts.

Given mental disorder in addition to "catching the tail", it also has a number of symptoms:

constant licking of paws;
gnawing one's own fur before the formation of bald patches;
clicking teeth;
unpredictable aggression;
coprophagia (eating one's own or other people's excrement);
one point look.

The first signs of the disease may appear during puberty, during hormonal adjustment organism.

How to get rid of an unwanted habit

First of all, it is necessary to find out what are the reasons why the dog rushes to pursue itself.

Behavioral features can be easily recognized. In the event that a dog or puppy is doing this as entertainment, the movement is not intrusive. They easily forget about him as soon as the owner offers them a more exciting activity.
The owner needs to carefully examine the back of the thighs, croup and anus, for reasons possible discomfort(hair problems, incorrectly docked tail and others).

If discomfort is caused by any internal pathology, then only certain treatment will help:

when allergic reactions use antihistamines;
inflammation of the paraanal glands is eliminated by their cleaning with the use of anti-inflammatory and antiseptic agents;
prevention of helminthiasis consists in regular deworming with special complex means.

Therapy for tail catching syndrome is the most difficult. It is almost impossible to completely defeat her, since she has a genetic origin. All applicable remedial measures are symptomatic, and if they are canceled, relapses of the disease will be repeated. Moreover, it is useless to apply penalties to the dog, to put on a muzzle. The obsessive desire to perform this or that action will not disappear.

The main goal of the owner is to reduce elevated level anxiety and eliminate the formed bad habit. In a calm environment, behavioral adjustments are made to distract the animal from obsessions through positive reinforcement and developing a new response to annoying factor. Competitive behavior training is used when, when circling is resumed, the dog is given commands that it has already been trained in advance. Having achieved their fulfillment, the dog is encouraged with affection or treats, gradually weaning from unwanted actions and reinforcing the positive association.

Thus, we figured out why the dog runs after the tail. This action may be a variant of the norm, and may indicate a pathology. But in all cases, the dog's life should be filled with positive communication with the owner and interesting activities, which will also serve as a distraction factor. These can be walks, joint activities that help the realization of the hunting instinct in the form of running after a mechanical hare or fetching.

Dog owners often wonder why she periodically runs after her tail, what kind of rein did she get? Some find the pet's unusual behavior funny, others think that the dog entertains the owner with a fun trick.

What is really hidden behind the "rotational" behavior? If it's a bad habit, how to overcome it, if it's a disease, how to cure it? To answer these questions, you will need to carefully observe a barking friend.

Veterinarians know that a dog is not chasing his tail for fun. Serious health problems are often hidden behind the hilarious behavior of the animal.

Mechanical damage

If the dog runs after the tail, tries to lick or bite it, it is worth examining the pet's anal area. The culprits of anxiety may be a clinging burdock, a tangle of matted wool, wounds on the skin.

Helminthiasis

Inflammation of the anal glands

The reason for the anxiety of the dog often lies in the blockage of the glands located under the tail near the anus. It is better to entrust their sanitation to a veterinarian. In the case of an abscess, it will be necessary to carry out therapy with an antibiotic and drainage. Prevention is hygiene, rational nutrition, motor and sexual activity of the animal.

Unsuccessful tail docking

Surgery to shorten a "protruding" part of a puppy's body can have undesirable consequences: injured tissues, affected nerves, unrecovered vertebral fragments. The kid runs after the cropped tail, trying to lick it or nibble it to eliminate pain. Re-operation will help to release the short-tailed friend from suffering.

Once you encourage the tricks of the dog - stroke the fur, take it in your arms, treat it with a bone - and he will constantly use the invented "tool of influence". Ignoring the pranks of the pet and paying attention to its true needs will help wean the dog from running after the tail. Active communication, games, affection - effective medicines from longing for an affectionate companion.

Increased anxiety

Anxiety is a common cause of inappropriate animal behavior. An excited dog rushes about, runs after his tail, sucks his paw, hides. In moments of tension, there is intense salivation, dilated pupils, rapid breathing, pressing the ears.

Inexperienced dog breeders are trying to wean their pets from bad habits with the help of cages, chains, protective collar. But any restrictions only exacerbate the problem. If it is impossible to perform the usual actions, the level of anxiety in the dog rises sharply. Over time, an obsessive-compulsive disorder may develop.

The owners need to install an irritant ( loud noise, hunger, interference in the process of eating) and eliminate it. What to do if the provocative factor is an important attribute of home comfort: a doorbell or a clock strike? In this case, zoopsychologists advise to teach the pet to calmly respond to the stimulus. It is proposed to first achieve the execution of the command “lie down” or “sit”, and then, with these orders, introduce a stimulus, gradually increasing its intensity.

A dog is a mobile, inquisitive and playful creature. However, the passion for one's own tail can also speak of serious problems with animal health. Consider the pet's antics and determine if there is cause for concern.

Discomfort

There is a whole science of the behavior and education of dogs - cynology. Experts say that it is rare for a dog to chase its tail because of Have a good mood. For most puppies, this is normal behavior. But if the habit does not go away with age, the animal's interest in body parts increases, measures must be taken.

It is necessary to find out what motivates a four-legged friend to action. Pay attention to the nature of the chase. It may be accompanied by barking, howling, attempting to bite yourself.

Most of the problems four-legged friends unable to decide on their own. They try unsuccessfully to reach problem areas and people take it as a game.

Inaction leads to grave consequences. The main measures to eliminate symptoms are as follows:

prevention of the appearance of worms;
inspection for the presence of ticks, lice, fleas;
if external signs no infection, the dog must be shown to the veterinarian.

Diseases

A doctor can help determine why a dog is chasing its tail. The reasons often lie in:

tissue irritation anus– manifestation of the consequences of minor injuries, allergies and diarrhea;
inflammation or blockage of the anal glands is accompanied by wild pains and itching - pets crawl their booty on any surface (floor, carpet, earth);
violation vestibular apparatus- the animal suddenly begins to spin around its axis;
liver disease - in addition to chasing the tail, vomiting and diarrhea appear.

It is possible that the veterinarian will not detect health problems.

Psyche and genetics

If the cause has not been identified, it is likely that the pet requires more attention from its owners. The dog does not care whether they laugh at it or scold it. She seeks any reaction to her existence.

There are individuals with serious deviations due to DNA. If a dog runs after its tail and bites it, this may indicate a mental disorder. Weaning a pet from a bad habit, in this case, is not realistic. group of drugs and special exercises will help to correct behavior, but the gene pool cannot be changed.

The disorder accompanies the animal throughout its life, periodically manifesting itself in bursts of anxiety and aggression. Even tribal representatives, no matter what indicators their breed possesses, are not allowed to breed. mental disorder will be given to the puppies.

The question of the psyche is poorly understood. The disease is diagnosed when the puppy is 3 months old. Until that time, his running after the tail is perceived by the owners as a harmless game. Previously, people did not attach importance to the psyche of the problem. Some seizures were considered symptoms of other illnesses.

If you have symptoms, you should seek help from experienced professionals. It is difficult to unequivocally answer the question why a dog runs after its tail. Many points require further study.

Article

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

Research

The dog can catch its tail in play, but sometimes this behavior can be an indicator neurological diseases, stress, insufficient physical activity. Veterinarians took into account the comments of 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: “More than 3,500 requests for Dog Catching Its Tail have been received on the YouTube video service. This shows that people find this behavior funny and do not attribute it to a behavioral problem. However, this behavior should not be encouraged, and dogs should definitely consult a veterinarian. The analysis of videos posted online provides new opportunities to study this behavior. Most often, compulsive tail-chasing has been observed in dogs. dwarf breeds(56%) and mestizos (43%)".

Veterinarians from the University of the Turkish city of Uludag conducted their own study and found out that this kind of obsessive

behavior in dogs, like tail chasing, is associated with high cholesterol levels. Most often, this obsessive condition occurred in dogs after some kind of injury or illness, but dogs also turned out to be predisposed to it.some breeds, in particular and .

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

Perhaps the reason is that high level cholesterol is linked to behavioral hormones such as serotonin. Scientists don't yet know the cause, but bitches are more prone to tail chasing.

The reasons

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

Veterinarians classify tail chasing as a stereotypical behavior, as well as paw licking, running in circles, etc. This behavior includes genetic predisposition because some breeds appear to be more prone to it (particularly Bull Terriers and German Shepherds).

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

In dogs, this behavior is manifested in varying degrees: strong to weak. If the dog only occasionally chases its tail, then the owners even consider this behavior "normal for the breed." In some cases, the dog is almost all the time busy chasing the tail, and if she manages to catch it, then she gnaws her tail right up to the wounds. It seems as if the dog has no other interest in life than this occupation. Such animals have no desire to communicate and play with a person or relatives.

Sometimes tail chasing begins as a "replacement response." The dog finds himself in a situation that he cannot solve and begins to express his anxiety with behavior that has nothing to do with the problem. Tail chasing arises from the natural instincts of a predator. The dog may view the tail as something that is not part of itself and that it is worth chasing and catching. AT conflict situation such a chase can bring some relief to the dog because it fills a behavioral vacuum.

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

Most often, dogs chasing their tails show other obsessive states. In particular, bull terriers like to run in circles or show increased attention to any objects, for example, to tennis balls.

If a dog that is chasing its tail is physically interfered with, it is likely to exhibit another form of compulsive behavior.

AT 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 exchange of this hormone is increased in animals with similar behavior.

There is speculation that this behavior may induce the production of endogenous opiates that stimulate the pleasure center in the brain and protect the animal from pain perception in more serious 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 of life. The animal will need long walks, healthy diet and as much as possibleactivities with the owner.

The dog should be able to realize his natural instincts, especially hunting, that is, to pursue and bring prey. Games such as fetching, frisbee, flyball or tug of war are helpful.

In this state veterinarians antidepressants used in medicine (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Clomicalm) are usually prescribed.

Most the best remedy dealing with this behavioral problem preventive measures. Dog owners do not need to reward this behavior with attention, and if it starts to recur, then the conditions for keeping the dog need to be changed.

Material taken: E. Patrusheva "My friend is a dog"

Video: an example of how NO is chasing its tail!

Why does a dog run after its tail? Many dog owners can often watch a touching picture of their beloved dog trying to "catch up" with his tail. As a rule, such behavior of the animal does not cause any concern in the owner, and they see the reason for this in the desire to play or draw attention to themselves. Sometimes this is true: when the dog is left alone, she has nothing to do and she tries to entertain herself in this way. After some 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 this is a funny feature when a dog runs in circles is extremely wrong. If the dog has not done this before, then this serious reason in order to investigate anal area animal for damage, scratches or even foreign bodies. If outwardly you did not find anything, you should immediately contact, as this may indicate the presence of worms or inflammation of the paraanal glands. AT this case the owner will not be able to help the animal on his own, so it is better to entrust the health of your pet to professionals who will full examination, establish the causes of such behavior of the dog and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Another reason why a dog runs after 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, gnaw on slippers, go to the toilet in wrong place. In such cases, the dog is taught the so-called "replacement behavior" and in parallel with this, they are prescribed medications that reduce anxiety levels.

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

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 the desire to entertain yourself, do the following. First of all, increase the level of motor activity of the animal: increase the degree physical activity and the duration of walks, while constantly changing the route. Use the method of fetching with the game of "pull". The meaning of this method is that the dog catches up with the “prey”, and in return receives a reward in the form of a game with the owner. And this is much more interesting than chasing your tail!

Veterinary center "DobroVet"