weird spaniel behaviour

Re: weird spaniel behaviour

Alison McIntosh — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 09:52:35 GMT

Cheers Jo - I've spoken to the owner who seems quite enthused about doing more good stuff with the dog, and he's not at all averse to the idea of involving a behaviourist.

Sounds like this behaviour has only just started so I'm hoping there's scope for improvement. I'll keep the meds suggestion in mind too though.

Re: weird spaniel behaviour

Jo Cobbett — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 11:43:05 GMT

I've had a couple of cases of shadow chasing in collies. Veterinary behaviourists I've spoken to have suggested that Fluoxetine tends to work best for OCD cases out of the pyschtropic meds available. And in terms of behavioural management/training, teaching a "look" command (in an unshadowed room initially!) can be really helpful to distract the dog from the shadows and reward them for alternative behaviour. This depends on the dog not being so obsessed that they can respond to a look command, which is where the fluoxetine may come in intially.

Re: weird spaniel behaviour

Alison McIntosh — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:42:36 GMT

That's really helpful- thanks :) I'll have a word with the owner and (diplomatically) make a few suggestions!

Re: weird spaniel behaviour

David Mills — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:32:35 GMT

Obsessive is a good word to use as shadow chasing in spaniels is thought to be a form of canine OCD. [Anecdote] I had a springer that was like this; it can be frustrating, distracting, annoying and anti-social. It is very unlikely to be a medical/pathological problem unless any other signs.

There are a few options. Many dogs are thought to do it as a response to lack of stimuli (either from over-intelligence or just lack of stimulation), and especially dogs such as springers who are 'meant' to be working. A classic sign in addition would be overreaction or intense interest in ordinary stimuli in the home environment such as cars going past the house, noises from outside. Dogs often follow owners around looking for things to do. Therefore increasing stimuli can help such as training classes, agility classes, tricks or 'jobs' to do. In my case, I found the only practicable thing was to exhaust the dog every day - that is, take it out for 2-3 hours every day for good aerobic exercise - running, swimming, extensive hill walking - not simply a stroll around the park - and, if this wasn't sufficient, when in the house play tug, ball, finding food etc. I also used to take him beating which he loved.

It is generally very difficult to get rid of completely; essentially you are looking to divert the dog's attention elsewhere. Sometimes TCAs can help (e.g. amytryptiline, Clomiclam) but these can take 2-3 weeks to have an effect and may have none at all. Expect it to come back in stressful situations.

Owners are often in denial about these things, or take it as an affront if suggested they don't give their dog enough attention. It's not about volume but the right type of 'attention'. A behaviourist who visits them at home can be very useful in this respect. Others see it as 'cute' or endearing, but I think these dogs are often actually chronically stressed and these behaviours come out as pseudo-stereotypies.