chasing shadows & snapping/biting fingers through letter box

[uksharron]

i Have a 10 mth old cross jack russell, he will not stop chasing shadows,light spots on walls, he is driving me mad.He has also just recently bit my sons finger badly,whilst he was playing outside, he accidently put his fingers through letterbox and the dog attacked them.What should i do about these problems?

[lankeela]

This sounds like obsessive compulsive disorder. Try googling this - there is a lot of information on it. Basically you need to remove any triggers, and make sure he has enough exercise to tire him out so he rests. Does he also chase his own tail?

As for biting fingers put through letter boxes - what can I say? Tell your son not to do it - postmen (postdog?) will be able to vouch for the fact that many dogs will do this, as they see it as an intrusion into their territory. Mine would, if I didn't have a basket over the letterbox. They would also chew up the post and papers given the opportunity!

[lankeela]

http://www.petplanet.co.uk/petplanet/behaviour /behaviour_obsessive.htm