Why do Dogs chase their tails?

Factual Questions
1

I once saw a program on The Discovery Channel about Dogs that I found to be very interesting. Part of this show focused on why dogs lay their ears back and tuck their tails between their legs when they are either angered or frightened. The narrator stated that the reason dogs lay their ears back when angered is to stop them from being either grabbed or bitten in battle, and the reason they stick their tails between their legs when frightened is to stop it from being grabbed while being chased by predators

One thing they didn’t cover was why dogs chase their tails. I don’t know if this is a common practice for all dogs, but I’ve seen it done quite a few times by various breeds in my neighborhood. Does anyone know why this is?

2

I forgot to add that According to the Discovery Channel, this is supposed to be a behavior pattern that was supposed to have been inherited from their ancestors back when they lived in the wild. (FYI)

3

WAG: Young cats will attack their own tails. The harder they attack, the more it hurts, presumably, and the atttack intensifies. What seems to be going on is the tail’s flicking movements stimulate the predator response. As the cat gets older it starts to realize that, “Hey, that’s just my tail.” and leaves it alone…for the most part. I have a 12 y/o cat who can still sometimes be goaded into this behavior.

As for dogs, I wonder if it’s not a similar issue. I haven’t seen older dogs chase their tails, just those of a couple years or so & younger. If they are tucking their tails to prevent attackers from grabbing them, it stands to reason they would think a tail is a good thing to grab when you wanna git someone.

4

its a personality trait among dogs i think

a few of mine do it, but a majority dont (even when little)

5

Some dogs will chase their tails for lack of anything better to do, according to Google’s answers.

According to that cite, it might also be a sign of obsessive-compulsive behaviour. Or, it could be a genetic thing for some breeds (terriers, for example). Occasionally, it’ll be just for the hell of it. :slight_smile:

I dunno. There’s a dog that visits the nearby dog park that will sometimes spin for five minutes on end, trying to reach its tail. The other dogs just stop everything and stare.

6

• It’s more satisfying than chasing their heads. Sometimes you catch the tail.

• If not their own, whose? The cool thing about chasing your own tail is that it runs away.

• It’s easier than getting their tails to chase them back.

OK, I’m leaving. But… “their”, not “there”, mmkay?

7

A dog chasing his tail can be caused by:

  1. He has worms and tries to “chase” the irritation that causes.
  2. The glands (I think this is the right English word for it) on both sides of his anus are infected. (I mean the glands that produce the sent used to mark territory).
    Salaam. A
8

For the same reason they lick their balls…because they can. :smiley: