Why do dogs chase their tails?

Some dogs appear obsessed with chasing their elusive tail, but what brings out this kind of behaviour?


Asked by: Anonymous

Sometimes it’s a side effect of hunting behaviour in an animal too dim to work out that the tail always escapes. But tail chasing can become obsessional. Bored dogs that don’t get enough exercise may use it to get their owner’s attention – even angry attention can be rewarding. Others, especially terriers, may have inherited it. There are many dogs taking antidepressants to control their compulsive tail chasing.

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