Hi everyone
I have a question.
A friend who has a puppy  bullmastiff from me  is biting its tail.
It isen't the usual tail following behaviour. She attacks it bites it and may not do it again for days .
Her vet cannot find anything wrong .
I was wondering If I could hear your thoughts on what might be causing this behaviour.
Mari

Anyone got any ideas at all?

Melody :)

It could just be a game, but if its not normal then maybe its something to do with its annoying her/shes scared of it following her, weird as it may sound its possible!

Don't know anything to help tho

Rox

Hi, my pup (3.5 mos) is chasing her tail too, then she attacks and bites it, and some times she even does summersaults to get it. It looks funny. But I am not worried, or should I? She never cried or anything when she bit it. She may be occupied for like 5 mins to chase it and bite it, oh yeah she barks and growls at it as well. I think it is a game for her, or she does not understand why it's moving. Maybe somebody else knows.
Alina D.

Alina D.

I think your theory is right.  Its like their reflections, they wonder why another dog is staring at them. 

Rox

Well I suggested when she starts biting her tail put something nasty tasting on it. So lets see what happens.
Another idea was to put a muzzle on when this starts, so she cant get to it.
I will let you know what happens with those tips
Mari 
Ps thanks for your thoughts , bit of a poser this one.

Sorry Marie, I missed this!
The muzzle would prevent it WHILE THE MUZZLE IS ON but would not stop it if it has really got to be an ingrained habit. Aversion would be a better approach. If there was no pleasure in it, only a nasty taste in the mouth I think it would end sooner. My recommendation would be to spray the end of the tail in Leo Laboratories "Bitter Spray". I don't know the availability of it in Ireland Marie, over here it is only available from a vet but it is quite safe even to use on an open wound. I always try to keep some around.

Best wishes, John

Thank you John , Much appreciated to get another angle on it, yes aversion is my first idea,
I do agree about the muzzle when you put it like that . Its true two heads  are better then one lol
Mari