Hi everyone, I have a 5-month-old GSD pup and he's suddenly started trying to catch his tail; it's becoming quite obsessive. Has anyone else dealt with this behavioural issue? Thanks.
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Hi there,
I’m not sure which breed you’re referring to when you say “BA” (German Shepherd? Australian Shepherd? ...). Regardless, a young puppy is bursting with energy: he’s figured out he can chase his tail and finds it fun, so he keeps doing it.
The goal to stop this behaviour is to redirect his energy into something else. Usually, by 5 months, you’ll have started going for walks: you could make them a bit longer so he can burn off more energy. Make sure your dog also has plenty of toys to keep him busy during the day. When you see him chasing his tail, offer him one of his toys to redirect his attention so he gets into the habit of doing that instead.
All the best,
Quitterie
The fact that he does it when you stop during a walk makes me think it’s down to frustration.
Personally, instead of throwing a ball for him in the garden, you should take him for a quick toilet break. A game of fetch gets his excitement levels up, and when it stops, if the dog struggles to manage his emotions (which is normal at his age), it could partly explain why he turns to his tail. A walk where he can have a good sniff burns energy in a calm way, without getting him wound up.
Alternatively, if it’s really not possible to take him out, then try a calm activity—why not put his dry food in a food-dispensing toy like a Wobbler? Or in an old tea towel that you tie in a knot (not too tight), or just scatter his dry food across the garden…
This kind of activity keeps the dog mentally occupied without overexciting him.
What’s his routine with your mum between 8 am and midday?
And as for the 40-minute walk, what kind of environment is it in? What sort of interactions does he have?
First off, check if there's anything physically bothering him in that area. Sometimes it’s a grass seed, or ticks or fleas...
If it's none of those, look at the times when he starts doing it (is it after he's been excited from playing or a long walk? After he's been resting? etc.).
Could it be boredom or difficulty managing his emotions? Sometimes it's a way for them to self-soothe. If it’s becoming obsessive (how many times a day is he doing it?), you need to work out exactly when it happens and look at your routine... is he getting enough physical AND MENTAL exercise? (People often forget that part, and for a dog that really needs to use its brain, not getting enough mental stimulation can really take its toll). Check if he’s being left alone for too long, and if his interactions with people and other dogs are good quality (aim for quality over quantity here)...
