Why Do Dogs Chase Their Tails?

It’s a common sight to see a dog chasing its tail. Some dogs do it occasionally, while others do it compulsively. But why do dogs do this?

There are a number of reasons why dogs chase their tails. Some of the most common reasons include:

Boredom. Dogs need mental and physical stimulation, and if they don’t get enough of it, they may start to engage in destructive or repetitive behaviors, such as tail chasing.
Excitement. Sometimes, dogs chase their tails when they’re excited or playful. This is especially common in puppies, who are still learning about their bodies and how to interact with the world around them.
Anxiety or stress. Dogs may also chase their tails if they’re feeling anxious or stressed. This can be caused by a number of things, such as being left alone for long periods of time, being in a new environment, or having a medical condition.
Pain. If a dog has an injury or pain in the tail area, it may chase its tail in an attempt to relieve the discomfort.
Medical condition. In some cases, tail chasing can be a sign of a medical condition, such as a neurological disorder, a skin infection, or a parasite infestation.

If your dog is chasing its tail, it’s important to first rule out any medical causes. Once you’ve ruled out any medical problems, you can start to address the behavioral causes. If your dog is chasing its tail out of boredom, you can increase its mental and physical stimulation by providing more playtime, training, and interactive toys. If your dog is chasing its tail out of anxiety or stress, you can try to identify the source of the anxiety and take steps to reduce it.

In some cases, tail chasing may be a compulsive behavior. Compulsive behaviors are often difficult to treat, but there are a number of things you can do to help your dog. These include:

Identify the triggers. What seems to make your dog start chasing its tail? Once you know the triggers, you can start to avoid them or desensitize your dog to them.
Distract your dog. When your dog starts to chase its tail, try to distract it with a toy or game.
Give your dog plenty of exercise. Exercise can help to reduce anxiety and stress, which can lead to compulsive behaviors.
Teach your dog a “leave it” command. This can help your dog to learn to control its impulses and to stop chasing its tail when you give the command.

If you’re having trouble getting your dog to stop chasing its tail, you may want to consult with a behaviorist or veterinarian. They can help you to develop a treatment plan that is right for your dog.

Here are some additional tips for preventing and stopping tail chasing:

Make sure your dog is getting enough exercise. A tired dog is less likely to engage in destructive or repetitive behaviors.
Provide your dog with plenty of mental stimulation. This can include interactive toys, games, and training exercises.
Avoid leaving your dog alone for long periods of time. Dogs that are left alone for too long can become bored, anxious, or stressed, which can lead to tail chasing.
If your dog starts to chase its tail, try to distract it with a toy or game. This can help to break the cycle of behavior.
Do not punish your dog for chasing its tail. This will only make the behavior worse.

If you’re concerned about your dog’s tail chasing, talk to your veterinarian. They can help you to determine the cause of the behavior and develop a treatment plan.

Citations:
https://www.purina.co.uk/articles/dogs/behaviour/understanding-dogs/why-dogs-chase-tails
https://www.rd.com/article/why-dogs-chase-their-tails/
https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/why-do-dogs-chase-their-tails
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/why-do-dogs-chase-their-tails