How do I stop my lab tail chasing?
Discussion
He's just coming up to 18 Months old, he's been doing it since he was about 8 months old.
It started off being a source of amusement but he has become obsessed with it now.
He will spin in circles for twenty minutes solid until he falls over or is too exhausted to continue, then has a brief rest and then continues in the opposite direction.
He is spoilt rotten so no neglect issues, huge garden, there are six of us in the family all of whom will play with him for hours with balls, frisbees etc and he gets at least two substantial walks a day.
It started off being a source of amusement but he has become obsessed with it now.
He will spin in circles for twenty minutes solid until he falls over or is too exhausted to continue, then has a brief rest and then continues in the opposite direction.
He is spoilt rotten so no neglect issues, huge garden, there are six of us in the family all of whom will play with him for hours with balls, frisbees etc and he gets at least two substantial walks a day.
This can be a major behavioural problem and you are right to be concerned about stopping it, it's usually terriers that can develop this obsession but any breed cn develop it.
I'd seriously find a reputable behaviourist, ask around, ask your vets if they know one. Maybe Nic007 will see this thread (he does dog behaviour).
At this point distraction alone won't be enough. I wouldn't know where to begin tbh but someone who knows there stuff re: behaviour should be able to help. good luck.
I'd seriously find a reputable behaviourist, ask around, ask your vets if they know one. Maybe Nic007 will see this thread (he does dog behaviour).
At this point distraction alone won't be enough. I wouldn't know where to begin tbh but someone who knows there stuff re: behaviour should be able to help. good luck.
boy said:Inklid said:
He's just coming up to 18 Months old, he's been doing it since he was about 8 months old.
It started off being a source of amusement but he has become obsessed with it now.
He will spin in circles for twenty minutes solid until he falls over or is too exhausted to continue, then has a brief rest and then continues in the opposite direction.
He is spoilt rotten so no neglect issues, huge garden, there are six of us in the family all of whom will play with him for hours with balls, frisbees etc and he gets at least two substantial walks a day.
Not a criticism OP, but the fact your dog has developed a behavioural obsession like this shows he needs much more stimulation than just a few balls and frisbees. It started off being a source of amusement but he has become obsessed with it now.
He will spin in circles for twenty minutes solid until he falls over or is too exhausted to continue, then has a brief rest and then continues in the opposite direction.
He is spoilt rotten so no neglect issues, huge garden, there are six of us in the family all of whom will play with him for hours with balls, frisbees etc and he gets at least two substantial walks a day.
Are his toys left lying around all the time? Put them away out of his reach so when he does get the chance to play with them it's something really special for him to focus on, and channel his excitement appropriately.
There's loads of toys out there now to help with mental stimulation for dogs too, but just a couple of examples;
Kong Wobbler: He's a lab, so let's face it, food will be high on his priority list
Pop his meals in this so he has to work to get his meals, rather than having them plonked in a bowl for him. I can stick mine out on the lawn and it will keep my collie quiet for 20-30 mins. Factor in 2 meals a day and that's an hour of your lab using his brain productively.http://www.petsathome.com/shop/kong-wobbler-57242?...
Nina Ottosson: A whole range of toys and puzzles that will keep his mind busy (in the right way). What I like about them is that they can be interactive for you and your dog to play together, or you can just leave them to get on with it.
http://www.youtube.com/user/NinaOttossonProducts#g...
Lastly, think about giving him a job. You can train tricks at home, or join a local flyball or agility club. I'd really recommend the latter, it's a great way to work your dog in a light hearted way if you aren't big on the shooting scene. Also, a good way to meet new people. When we were first introduced to flyball we were told it only required 3 things of your dog:
1) that they like tennis balls
2) good recall
3) they like other dogs
but so many dogs have joined our club who meet only a couple of the above and they can soon be won over! Even if they don't, it's still good fun and once again, working that mind.
Hope that gives you some ideas
Thanks for the replies.
He already has a Kong which he loves and it does keep him occupied for ages.
He is already very well trained, two of my daughters spend hours with him training him and teaching him tricks. He has quite a routine now. He's very smart and very obedient.
I suppose the one thing we could improve on is as you say, putting his toys away, at present they are just around the house and garden for him to use as and when he wants to.
He already has a Kong which he loves and it does keep him occupied for ages.
He is already very well trained, two of my daughters spend hours with him training him and teaching him tricks. He has quite a routine now. He's very smart and very obedient.
I suppose the one thing we could improve on is as you say, putting his toys away, at present they are just around the house and garden for him to use as and when he wants to.
Doesn't work for all dogs, but if it can jerk him out of the moment, you can then distract and reward him for stopping the behaviour.
You've made it an awful lot harder to stop though by letting it continue all this time, might have been amusing but it's an obsessive unnatural behaviour, something that should have been stopped immediately.
I've seen it happen.uk_vette said:
What about instead of treating him, how about some mild punishment?
Perhaps a good whack with a rolled up newspaper?
It's not going to hurt him, just give him some thing to think about.
vette
Tried this too. Doesn't make a blind scrap of difference. Well not with the level of discipline I'm prepared to dish out for him doing this, he's not actually doing anything "wrong" is he? Perhaps a good whack with a rolled up newspaper?
It's not going to hurt him, just give him some thing to think about.
vette
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