Chasing Our Tails

Watching a dog chase its tail can be entertaining, but if your furry friend practices this behavior often, it’s important to take the necessary steps to stop this habit before it becomes obsessive.  The sooner you catch the behavior when it starts, the faster your dog will learn not to do it.

The first step is to decide on a noise-making device.  This can be as simple as clapping your hands or you can make a noisemaker by taking an empty plastic bottle, such as for single serving juice or soda, and putting plenty of small rocks, marbles or bearings inside, then sealing the bottle.  Shaking this makes the right noise to distract your pooch from the negative behavior.   Also, a loud, “NO”, can also do the job, but if you have to do it frequently, but it’s probably better to use another noise-making method and save your voice.

When you stop an unwanted behavior, it’s best to replace it with a positive behavior, such as playing with a toy.  When you see the very beginnings of tail chasing, make the noise – the key is to make the noise loud, short and sharp.  Your goal is to surprise and distract your dog from the behavior.  Once he stops chasing her tail and looks around, quickly say, “Good Dog!” and hand him the toy.  By doing it this way, you are telling him that the tail-chasing is not an acceptable behavior and you will give him a behavior he can do.

With keen observation, split-second timing, repetition and a bit of patience, you can stop your dog from chasing his or her tail.