Tail chasing

[7][2] Furthermore, treatment options include drugs that decrease the frequency of tail chasing by targeting the underlying mechanisms, and behavioural changes regulated by the dog's owners.

[4][5] One case study described a dog who began to lose weight, demonstrated aggressive behaviour when its owner attempted to stop the chasing, and became uninterested in enjoyable daily activities, such as walks and eating.

[12] Tail chasing and other compulsive behaviours in dogs, such as fly snapping and blanket suckling, have been associated with breed,[7] stressful situations, seizures,[4][5] and possibly the CDH2 gene.

[6] Tail chasing behaviour is most common in Bull Terriers and German Shepherds,[1] but can also be seen in other breeds, like Doberman Pinschers[6] and Shiba Inus.

[1] Further, a case study showed seizure activity localized in the lateral hypothalamus or cerebellum as one of the diagnosing criteria in a dog who problematically chased its tail.

[8] Other drugs used to treat tail chasing include sedatives such as acepromazine, for those who are triggered by stressful or fearful situations, and anti-seizure medication such as gabapentin, for those who have seizures that could be increasing the behaviour.

In addition, it is also common to gradually return the dog into potentially stressful situations in a controlled manner to habituate them to normal activities while preventing triggering an episode.