Spaniel odd behaviour

RE: Spaniel odd behaviour

janine redman — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 22:56:34 GMT

Having had experience a lot of light chasing or shadow chasing obsessive compulsive spaniels I suspect it started with light chasing and has become a self rewarding compulsive behaviour. You need to prevent it happening before it becomes fixed !

RE: Spaniel odd behaviour

David Mills — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 22:51:20 GMT

Looks like a compulsive behaviour, same action over and over right foot forward, left foot treading. Almost a stereotypy. As a lifelong keeper of spaniels compulsive behaviour not uncommon or at least intense focus on one behaviour.

I'd get rid of the tree and see if things improve. Easier now, given the date.

Or distract with a 'better' behaviour such as play or ball etc.

RE: Spaniel odd behaviour

KMurphy — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 15:42:13 GMT

[quote userid="6080" url="~/001/veterinary-clinical/small-animal/f/misc-case-discussions/29572/spaniel-odd-behaviour/227472#227472"]snapping at lights in highly strung border collies[/quote]

Yes, I have seen shadow-chasing behaviour in collies and this was my first thought but, like you pointed out, covering the sofa didn't make any difference. The behaviour is only in this room and only with the sofa, although you can see the armchairs in the video are very similar. I think they've tried keeping him out and it's been tricky but they'll maybe need to try harder!

I'll recommend the suggestions here and see how things go over the next couple of weeks.

RE: Spaniel odd behaviour

Claudia Niehoegen — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 15:24:40 GMT

My first thought was ‘petit mal’. How easily is he distracted from this? Is it all the time he is in that room? Does he display odd behaviour in other locations? I’ve mainly seen snapping at lights in highly strung border collies. But you write covering the sofa makes no difference. As a first measure I’d keep him from that room to stop the behaviour as early as possible. And reward ‘normal’ behaviour, with company and play, so he doesn’t feel punished by being banned from the family. I’d wait with meds until you have a diagnosis, which I unfortunately don’t have for you.

RE: Spaniel odd behaviour

Joyce Whitehead — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 15:09:18 GMT

I’ve seen a few dogs (very often springers) who get a compulsive behaviour with lights/shadows/glinting. I suspect this has started with the Christmas lights reflecting in the leather sofa, but might be difficult to distract him. I think I’d be inclined to keep the dog out of the room for a while to see if it breaks the habit but I’m not a behaviourist. Might anti anxiety meds help?

RE: Spaniel odd behaviour

KMurphy — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 14:23:13 GMT

Hi all,

I wondered if anyone had any thoughts on this? 7mo; this behaviour started acutely when the Christmas tree was put up. The owner has tried not putting the tree lights on and covering the sofa but neither stops the behaviour. I’ve not seen anything like it before. Is there any neurological issue I should be looking for or is this just an odd form of compulsive behaviour?
The dog is fine in every other way and pays no attention to the other furniture.
Any thoughts on the matter welcome :)