My 6 month old cav has recently started to chase her tail. She'll suddenly drop anything she's doing and chases it. Then she'll bite it. Is this normal?? Our other cav never did this. Has anyone got any suggestions as I'm a tad concerned!

Thanks
Marie

Has she had her anal glands checked?  And what do you do when she does it?

No I haven't. As for what we do when she dooes it well once we've stopped laughing then we distract her.
What could be wrong with her anal glands?? It all sounds a little messy!

You need to a) make an appointment with the vet to start with - they will show you where the anal glands are, and how to empty them ;) abd b), try to cut the laughing and concentrate on the distraction - some dogs will do things like this simply for the reward of hearing their humans laughing (and paying them attention).  If this is the reason she is doing it, above anything medical, then it may take a while to stop her by ignoring her, but keep it up, and make sure the entire household is consistent ;)

Will definately speak to vet and will only laugh on the inside from now on :)

If it is only from time to time it is just playful.  I would only worry if ti seems obsessive.  Also of course it could be her anal glands as another poster has said.

My Irish Pup does this too, its like something has suddenly bitten him hard on the tail.  I wondered too if it was his anal glands but he seems to be pooing ok.

My friends Westie does it whenever she gets excited.   Mine will does it from time to time but I wonder whether it's out of boredom.

By the way (it's a pity we can't correct our errors)!     I don't see them until they come up on the board!!!

Cant you click on the edit button when the post first goes up?

Doesn't work on my computer.

Its a good job it works on my computer cause i always have to change something!!:rolleyes:

I seem to remember reading somewhere that it is their way of getting your attention - not sure if its true but my bc looks quite mad whilst doing it on a regular basis.  Its the flopping down after it that makes me laugh.

Claire

Yeah you just can't stop yourself from giggling. Only problem is she does it until she's giddy and then falls over! Maybe she's just special!! LOL. The attention thing does sometimes fit but other times she just does it when she's in a different room - all you can hear are manic paw steps and a noise as she hits the floor :->

It can also be a way of excersising themselves, is she/he getting enough?

She is walked regularly and is always sleepy after. We do play with her and her big sis makes sure that shes worn out every evening as well. Think I'll monitor the situation for a couple of weeks and then speak to vet.
Thanks

My OH's Mother has a JRT-X that does this all the time.
I didn't believe my OH at first as I don't get along with his Mam so I son't get to see the dog.
Well 'the dragon' went on holiday and I stupidly offered to watch the dog.
He is a total nutcase. He's 7 yrs old and lives with only her. He just chases his tail continuously with out reason.

I tried distracting him to no avail. I tried telling him off.
We even muzzled him but he still did it.
At first I thought it was 'cos the dragon wasn't there but apparently he does it all the time unless he's asleep or sitting on the settee.

I asked if he'd had his anal glands checked but I doubt she'll take him to the vet. I'm not doing it 'cos he bites me.

Although it's a bit drastic I wondered if docking his tail would help. I think it might be 'cos the hair on the end of his tail is touching his back.
I don't believe in docking but the damn dog is making his tail sore and keeps getting infections.
We are getting landed with him on a regular basis now 'cos I offered to watch him in the first place.
It sound as if I don't like him. I do. It's just he disrupts our other dogs so much when he's here. He is a nasty little sod and our four have to spend most of the time in the kitchen and yard when he's here 'cos he fights. I put him in a crate but he still goes for them.

Tail chasing is often a sign of stress, and if your MIL is capable of winding you up - maybe she also puts similar stress on the dog? :(  If his tail was docked, under these circumstances, he'd only find some other way of relieving his stress........

My 9 week old GSP puppy does. Dogs like chasing things and thats that.