Why do dogs chase their tails?

Mardi Richmond is not only a training and behavior specialist, but she has personal experience living with Shadow, her Australian Cattle Dog/Border Collie mix, with compulsive behaviors. She explains, “Understanding that my pup couldn’t stop even when she tried to, that it wasn’t a training or impulse control issue, was really critical.”

Recognizing when tail chasing is playful and when it may be a sign of something more serious can help dog parents decide when to laugh, when to redirect, and when to call the veterinarian.

When is tail chasing normal?

Puppies are always looking for something fun to do, and as they start to learn how their bodies work, their tail can become an entertaining and convenient toy. If people laugh or react enthusiastically when the puppy chases its tail, it can encourage the puppy to repeat the behavior.

Often, when puppies are very excited, overstimulated, or trying to release pent-up energy, chasing their own tail can become a perfect outlet. There are not many things cuter than a puppy chasing their tail until they are dizzy and then flopping over in an adorable heap.

These types of tail chasing episodes are brief and occasional and can be easily interrupted. If your puppy will stop easily when treats, toys, or a walk is offered, this is just part of normal puppy development.

It is important to understand that when tail chasing is encouraged too often, it can lead to problems, and what seemed so fun and playful can become compulsive and difficult to stop.

Tail chasing may be a sign of a medical problem

Tail chasing is not always fun or playful and can be a sign of discomfort, pain, or irritation. Both internal parasites, like worms, and external parasites, like fleas, can make a dog itchy around their back end and the base of their tail. Anal gland problems are another common cause of tail chasing. More worrying is that dogs may chase their tail in response to joint or spinal pain, and it can even be triggered by neurological conditions.

If you notice any licking, chewing, sore skin, or bald spots around your dog’s tail, these are signs that your dog needs a veterinary visit. Certified trainer and behavior consultant Kate LaSala ,from Rescued by Training explains that issues relating to tail chasing require immediate attention.  “This is especially urgent if there are signs of self-mutilation, fur loss, acral lick granuloma, dermatitis, neurological or seizure symptoms.”

In many cases, if tail chasing is caused solely by a medical problem, treating the cause will stop the tail chasing.

Some breeds are genetically predisposed to tail chasing

Some studies suggest that certain breeds, such as Bull Terriers and German Shepherd Dogs, are more likely to develop compulsive tail chasing behaviors. Research from the University of Helsinki and Tufts University has found links between genetics, early environment, and stress associated with compulsive disorders such as tail chasing in dogs.

This does not mean every dog from these breeds will develop a tail chasing problem, but it does mean that pet parents should keep a close eye on this behavior in these breeds. Even though some dogs are more genetically predisposed to tail chasing, dogs of any breed or cross breed can develop the behavior.

When is tail chasing a behavioral concern?

If your dog chases their tail often, it seems difficult to stop, and it affects day-to-day activities because it is so out of control, your dog may have developed a compulsive disorder. Richmond’s dog, Shadow, exhibited compulsive behaviors from the time they got her when she was 5-6 months old. She describes the type of compulsive tail chasing Shadow displayed.  “Early on, at the request of our veterinarian, we timed Shadow and she continued to chase her tail for more than 30 minutes, in spite of our attempts to repeatedly stop her. She was so tired from the behavior that she was losing her balance and falling over, then getting up and starting again.”

Signs that the dog’s tail chasing may be a behavior problem include:

• The behavior happens daily or even more often.
• The dog finds it difficult to stop and seems fixated on the behavior.
• The dog ignores distractions or vocal cues.
• The tail chasing has led to injuries.
• Tail chasing happens most often when the dog is stressed or frustrated.

Richmond adds that there are further symptoms that should alert pet parents that they should seek help from their veterinarian. “When the behavior is interfering with normal dog things like eating, sleeping, or playing.”

Repetitive behaviors such as tail chasing are often strategies that dogs have learned or developed to help them cope with anxiety, boredom, or stress. Not getting enough exercise, mental stimulation, and major life changes are just some stressors that can lead to dogs performing compulsive tail chasing. They can also have neurological causes.

If your dog has a compulsive tail chasing problem, you will need veterinary and behavioral support to help them. La Sala outlines her approach when determining whether a tail chasing dog is likely to need veterinary support. “I am also looking to see if the behavior is redirectable or if the dog can be interrupted with happy talk or with an alternate request. So, will the dog respond to a recall or touch cue? Will the dog stop for high value food? Failure to respond or inability to interrupt is a red flag.”

Why does compulsive tail chasing require a veterinary diagnosis?

Compulsive behaviors such as tail chasing are complex and often have more than one cause. It is essential that your dog has a full checkup to determine whether there are underlying medical problems contributing to the behavior, as these will require treatment alongside any behavioral support.

The recently published behavior management guidelines from the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) note that behavioral wellness assessments should now be considered a routine part of every pet’s veterinary visit, so use this opportunity to talk about your dog’s tail chasing. Your veterinarian will check for issues such as parasites and discomfort, evaluate your dog’s neurological and joint health, and ask questions about your dog’s lifestyle and daily routine.

Based on what they find, your veterinarian will work as part of a team with a qualified behavior professional, such as a veterinary behaviorist or certified trainer, to ensure that any recommended medical care supports and complements your dog’s behavioral treatment plan.
Richmond stresses that a dog diagnosed with compulsive tail chasing will require medication first to support behavioral treatment. “Compulsive behaviors are not something to start behavior modification first, then see if you need medication, but rather to get medication on board right away.” Her personal experience with Shadow only further reinforces this. “I don’t think we would have been able to help her as much without the medication.”

What is the behavioral treatment for tail chasing?

If a dog is chasing their tail compulsively, your veterinarian may recommend that you get support from a veterinary or clinical behaviorist or a certified trainer.

A behavior modification program would be likely to include:

• Providing the kind of physical exercise that best suits the dog
• Enrichment activities designed to meet the individual dog’s needs
• Training alternative behaviors through positive reinforcement
• Identifying and reducing stress in the dog’s daily life

There are certain medications that have been shown to help dogs with compulsive disorders when used alongside behavior therapy, and in some cases, these may also be recommended. These medications are not tranquilizers or sedatives.

Veterinary behavior specialists affiliated with the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior and the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists emphasize that medication should not be considered a last resort. They can be a huge help to dogs learning new behaviors by reducing anxiety and compulsive impulses.

When used appropriately and monitored by a veterinarian, medication can significantly improve the prognosis for a dog with compulsive disorders such as tail chasing. In turn, this can improve the dog’s quality of life. As Richmond points out, when speaking about Shadow, with good veterinary and behavior support, dogs with compulsive tail chasing can lead full and happy lives.  “She needed support to be successful in our life together, but with that support, she is a super fun and a great dog to live with.”

When should you seek help for a dog that is tail chasing?

Playful tail chasing is nothing to worry about, but if the behavior appears suddenly, becomes frequent or intense, or your dog is unable to stop, you should seek veterinary advice. If you notice that your dog has injuries around their tail or is showing discomfort by chewing, licking, or scratching the area, these are other important warning signs that you need to see your veterinarian.

The sooner the underlying cause of tail chasing is identified, the easier it is to prevent the behavior from becoming a long-term problem.

Sometimes tail chasing is just good fun for your dog, but sometimes it is their way of asking for help. Always consult your AAHA-accredited veterinarian if you are unsure.