spinning dog

[clydeserani]

my friend has a German Shepherd. He is 1 year old, she got him when he was 10 months. He is a lovely dog by all accounts and she is very good to him, however, although he is very calm when it is just my friend and her kids at home, the moment anyone else comes into the house he starts to spin round and bite his tail in between barking constantly.

Is this dog mad or just attention seeking. Is there anything that can be put on his tail to discourage him biting it. His tail has been injured many times and is now all skinny and going bald.

[lankeela]

Sounds like a case of canine obsessive compulsive disorder. Google this and there is a lot of info. Distraction is the best bet, i.e. put him on a lead so he cannot do it.

[lankeela]

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/tail-chasing-in-d ogs/page1.aspx

[bexe]

i work at boarding kennels and weve got a collie in at the moment who spins in circles chasing tail and has an extremly short tail!
can be due to bordem and attention seeking behaviour, hes learned that when he does it he get atention. we use product called bitter bite, just sprays on and tastes nasty. you could also try vicks vapour rub, or tabasco sauce (i used that to stop my dog chewing walls!!)
or, if it permits, try a water pistol everytime he does it. he shouldnt like this and will begin to associate tail chasing with being squirted.
hope some of these help!!

[clydeserani]

thanks bexe. passed all this info onto my pal. I thought something on his tail might work. Will let you all know how it goes. Good advice all round. cheers

[Dee Sa]

my shar pei does "circles", usually when he is annoyed, especially if I have been out for a fair while and left him dont worry hubby is there and he also has a dog flap [ not for hubby]. He gets excited when he first sees me and then seems to remember and starts the circles which can go for about 5 mins, but he doesnt chase his tail,, he also sniffs me to make sure I have not been "unfaithful" i.e.another dog.