So, why do dogs bite their tails?

While a dog chasing its tail can be pleasurable to watch, it could mean something else when it becomes a habit. Compulsive canine behaviors like tail biting often signal potential issues. This post will cover the common reasons why dogs bite their tails and how to stop your dog from biting its tail.

Why do dogs bite their tails?

There are many reasons why dogs bite or chew their tails. If your dog is biting its tail too repetitively, he is likely not having fun. Here are common causes of canine tail biting:

1. Parasitic infestations

One of the common reasons dogs bite their tails is parasitic infections. Fleas, ticks, mites, and some internal parasites that migrate out of the rectum cause great irritation and an itching sensation that dogs cannot resist. Dogs are especially allergic to the saliva of fleas and ticks.

When the rear or tail starts itching due to infestation, your dog reacts by scratching, licking, or biting the itching spot to comfort itself and get rid of the parasite. When the infestation goes undiagnosed, your dog could bite the affected spot until it breaks its own skin.

Tapeworms and roundworms can cause discomfort around the anus, which the dog feels compelled to chew. Repeated biting or chewing can lead to whining.

Whatever the infestation, the good news is that there is a treatment to remedy it. Sprays, shampoos, treated baths, and medicated collars work well to prevent external parasite infestations. Your veterinarian can prescribe the right medications for tapeworms, roundworms, and other internal parasites that cause itching in the area surrounding the dog’s anus.

2. Allergies

Like humans, dogs can have allergies that cause their skin to be very itchy. Sometimes when you see your dog biting its tail, it could be doing so to ease discomfort caused by an allergic reaction.

While many things can cause allergies in dogs, the two primary causes are food and environmental allergens. Different foods, like poultry, wheat, potatoes, and some vegetables, as well as environmental allergens, like pollen, dust, mold, and dander, can cause allergic reactions in dogs. Some dogs can be allergic to the products the owners use.

Whatever the cause, allergic reactions are severe in puppies compared to mature dogs.

If you suspect your dog has an allergy, take him to the veterinarian and have him checked. Your veterinarian will help you identify the allergen and prescribe or recommend a mitigation measure. Proper dieting can go a long way to preventing some allergic reactions.

3. Stress and anxiety

Dogs need a lot of physical and mentally stimulating activities to build muscle and maintain good mental shape. When your dog gets bored or feels anxious, it can manifest in some destructive behaviors like tearing up your shoes, chewing your pillows, or biting its own tail to ease his condition.

Some dogs also feel anxious when new guests visit and may start chewing their tails to get your attention. If your dog doesn’t have any underlying health condition that could be causing its tail to itch, he could be stressed.

4. Impacted anal glands

Dog’s annal glands play a critical role in helping them mark their territories – they produce a strong-smelling fluid for territorial marking. If the glands do not secrete the fluid for whatever reason, they may get clogged and impacted.

Impacted anal glands can lead to severe discomfort, triggering the dog to chew the tail or around the anus to soothe the irritation.

If you suspect your dog’s anal glands are impacted or clogged, it is imperative to contact your vet immediately and have him checked.

5. Hot spots

If your dog is constantly chasing his tail and biting it repetitively, he might be having a hot spot. Simply, a hot spot is an open wound that develops due to repeated scratching or chewing. It turns out that your dog will lick, scratch, or bite it even more frequently.

Because of the exposure to elements, hot spots increase susceptibility to developing secondary infections. Interestingly, you don’t have to be super keen to notice them. Patches of matted hair, lack of hair, blood, scabs, and red, irritated skin are tell-tale signs of hot spots. If you see any of these signs, call your vet to tend to the issue before it exacerbates into something worse.

Your veterinarian will help you identify whatever is triggering the hot spots and prescribe the right medication.

6. Injured tail

Injured tails — fractures, abrasion, dislocation, or laceration — can cause a lot of pain and discomfort, and pups with long tails are more prone to tail injuries. Because dogs cannot speak out about whatever they are experiencing, your dog might want to bite the tail to ease the pain. Your dog might also bite the tail as a way to communicate to you whatever he is suffering.

Any injury can be a serious issue and requires immediate attention. This is very important because biting an already injured tail can strain the tissues and aggravate the situation. As a pet parent, be keen to notice any communication your dog is passing and work with a knowledgeable vet to address the problem.

7. Hormonal imbalance

Hormonal imbalance in dogs can trigger many reactions, one of which is tail biting or chewing. For instance, inadequate thyroid hormone and excessive cortisol increase susceptibility to skin infections, which can affect the tail area. If the tail develops bald spots, it starts itching, which can cause the dog to start biting it to soothe itself.

Symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder in dogs

Whether your dog is stressed, having a skin infection, or simply seeking your attention, there are a host of symptoms to look for. If your dog is repetitively chasing, biting, or choosing its tails, here are some of the things to look for to know what is causing it to act compulsively:

• 
  Repeated scratching
• 
  High chase or prey drive
• 
  Presence of blood, pus, or matted hair due to injuries or infections
• 
  Swelling
• 
  Red, irritated skin
• 
  Unsettledness
• 
  Unusual whining
• 
  Inflammation of the skin
• 
  Gnawing
• 
  Unusual foul smell from the rear end
• 
  Scooting

The symptoms vary depending on what is troubling your dog. Whatever the underlying issue is, it is imperative to call your veterinarian or take your dog to the vet for checking. This is vitally important, considering that even small infestations or seemingly light infections can quickly get aggravated by repetitive biting or chewing.

Remedies for tail biting

First, you must identify why your dog is biting its tail. From there, you can figure out the best treatment and remedy for the problem. All the remedies are aimed at correcting the dogs’ behavior so that it stays comfortable and healthy. Generally, finding the best solution to prevent your dogs from biting tails will depend on various valid reasons. Still, the main determinant for a better solution is the underlying cause of biting.

Working in coordination with a veterinarian will help you ensure that you have determined the actual reason behind your dogs harming their tails. The vet will also help you follow the treatment and remedy steps appropriately to deal with the behavior successfully.

Here are some remedies and treatment procedures to help keep your dog from biting its tail.

1. Change the food you give to your dog

When you diagnose that your dog is suffering from allergic reactions after eating a certain meal, and it ends up biting its tail, it is essential to change the meal plan. Determine the actual foods that cause allergic reactions and remove them from the dog’s meal. With the help of your veterinarian, you can do an allergy test or a food sensitivity test to find out the exact cause of the allergy. The vet can then recommend a special meal plan and diet based on the test results. If you adhere to this plan, you will see results in a very short time. Your dog’s tail-biting behavior and skin will change when they no longer feed on meals that trigger allergies.

2. Eliminate parasites

You can easily notice your dog biting its tail when it has parasites. In this case, you will have to deal with the parasite infestation. You can easily get several treatments for ticks and fleas and try them on your dog and the dog’s bedding. Washing the bedding is another important aspect in ensuring you eradicate the fleas and other parasites that might be hiding there.

If other pets in your home are also affected by the parasites, it is important that you subject them to treatment. Otherwise, they will still spread those pesky creatures to your dog, and the bad behavior may return. Also, consider cleaning the areas where your animals sleep and the entire home if the infestation is extreme.

3. Use medication to treat the behavior

There might be a number of underlying conditions within your dog’s body that makes it bite its tail. For example, your dog might have generally dry or flaky skin, which is the reason why it bites the tail. In such a case, there is a need for oral or topical medication that will help a dog get back its normal skin.

There are times when your dog will bite its tail because of a hot spot. Administering a topical solution will help reduce the itchiness on your dog’s skin. If your dog suffers from a skin infection, antibiotics, anti-itch, and steroids will help relieve the skin, and your dog will stop biting its tail.

4. Deal with anxiety and boredom

Your dog might be biting its tail because it is bored or anxious. If your vet diagnoses anxiety and boredom as the cause of your dog’s behavior, it is important that you help the pet manage the anxiety. One of the best ways to manage stress and boredom in dogs is to ensure they get enough exercise and receive adequate mental stimulation and affection.

Generally, destructive behaviors will reduce whenever the dog feels that all its stimulation needs are met. You can also train your dog to chew and bite when allowed. Train it to only bite or chew toys, bones, or a served meal.

5. Apply a bitter spray on the dog’s tail

You can keep your dog from biting its tail by applying a bitter yet safe spray on the tail so that it will not feel comfortable when chewing. Make sure that the spray you use is not poisonous and is soft enough not to cause itchiness on the tail. You should also check to ensure the spray’s ingredients won’t cause any allergic reaction to your dog, especially when ingested. In case of allergic reactions after applying the bitter spray, you will need to find a better way to deal with the dog’s behavior. You can always try different sprays or ask your vet to recommend another effective remedy.

Conclusion: Is dog biting behavioral or an issue of concern?

Dogs give much attention to chasing, biting, and chewing their tails. While they might be having fun, sometimes it could be something different. If your dog is repetitively chasing and biting its tails, it might be afflicted by many problems, so don’t always assume it is the playful nature of pets. Dog biting becomes an issue of concern when what seemed normal behavior starts interfering with the dog’s quality of life.

Whatever the reason, if your dog is biting its tail too repetitively, it is imperative to call your vet and have the pet diagnosed immediately. Some causes of the compulsive disorder can quickly aggravate, turning to even worse situations that put your dog’s life at risk. If you are a pet parent, hopefully, this post will help address any usual dog biting.

The post Dog Biting Tail first appeared on The Quiet Dog.

When your dog barks nonstop, it drives you and your loved ones up a wall. You probably are wondering do dogs get tired of barking? If they don’t, are there ways to stop dogs from barking?

In this post, we answer the question “do dogs get tired of barking?” and share reasons why dogs bark and how to stop the barking.

Do Dogs Get Tired Of Barking?

The simple answer to the question “do dogs get tired of barking?” is yes and no. Let us explain.

Dogs Do Not Get Tired of Barking

Dogs do not get tired of barking because the act of barking makes your dog bark even more. This is because barking is a self-reinforcing trait that makes man’s best friend feel good.

Dogs can bark for several hours with short breaks in between. To dogs, barking is like talking. You might be wondering, if dogs don’t get tired of barking, do their throats hurt after all the barking?

Unfortunately, you cannot ask your canine friend if his or her throat from barking. But according to experts, dogs go get laryngitis.

What is Laryngitis?

Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx or voice box from infection, irritation, or overuse. Excessive vocalization such as barking can also cause the condition.A key part of laryngitis in dogs is the swelling of mucous membranes and fluid buildup. If severe, the condition may block the upper airway.

One noticeable sign of laryngitis in dogs is coughing. The cough is usually dry, harsh, and short at first. Then it becomes soft and moist later. Exposure to cold, or dusty air, pressure on the larynx, and swallowing cold water or coarse food are some of the reasons that may trigger the cough.

Besides coughing, you may note bad breath and noisy breathing. You may also see your dog standing with its mouth open and head lowered. If you detect these signs, visit your local vet.

The vet will make a tentative diagnosis based on the signs and symptoms mentioned above. He may also conduct a physical examination and examination of the larynx with an endoscope. To reduce swelling, the vet may recommend corticosteroids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. To treat the condition, you may also need pain medications, antibiotics, and cough-suppressing meds.

Dogs Get Tired of Barking

Now that you know dogs do not get tired from barking which may eventually lead to laryngitis, let’s find out if dogs get tired of barking. What you need to know is that dogs do get tired of barking, but it will take a while.

Dogs bark for several reasons as explained in the next section. When your dog barks and you fail to listen, it will get frustrated that you’re not listening. As the barking continues, your dog will eventually get physically tired.

When your dog barks and you fail to listen including other dogs, it becomes physically and mentally exhausted. This does not mean that barking itself exhausts dogs. According to experts, dogs can communicate using ten different types of sounds. They range from howling to barking and growling.

If you pay attention to your dog’s barking, you’ll note that it sounds different depending on the situation. For example, if your dog barks with a high-pitched sound, it indicates that the dog is unsure, in pain, or scared.

The more the dog continues to bark, the more worked up he gets. This makes it difficult for the dog to settle down. This cycle can continue leading to the dog becoming more prone to barking and being reactive.

Now that you know dogs get tired when they bark, if you happen to hear your dog barking excessively, do not let it continue. It’s important to figure out what triggered the barking.

Why Do Dogs Bark?

Dogs bark for several reasons, and when they do, many people often ignore them and even throw on noise-canceling headphones to drown out the noise. However, ignoring the barking is not the solution.

What you ought to do is figure out why the dog is barking then you can work it from there. If you address your dog’s need, it will stop barking. Here are some of the reasons why dogs bark.

Greeting

Barking is a form of greeting. For example, when you arrive home from work, your dog will run to the door and start barking at you. By doing so, your dog is saying hello. A greeting bark usually includes one or two sharp barks of midrange or high pitch.

This type of barking is often set off when the dog recognizes a well-loved human approaching the house. To stop the dog from barking, the person has to interact with the dog. A greeting bark can also happen when your dog is out for a walk and meets people or persons they are familiar with or friends with.

Protecting Territories

As we all know, dogs are territorial animals known for territorial barking. In fact, they will bark at passers-by or animals they are not familiar with. They do so when they approach their territory. By barking at strangers or animals, they scare away or wade off the strangers or animals.

When it comes to protecting territories, dogs will bark excessively to alert the owners inside the house. The closer the stranger or animal gets, the more the dog barks. In addition, the dog will assume an aggressive stance in readiness to defend the territory. What you need to know is that territorial barking is mostly due to fear. By barking, they let people know of any attempted intrusion.

Separation

Your dog will bark excessively due to separation anxiety. When dogs become anxious, that’s a threat. As such, they get scared and start barking. What you ought to know is that dogs are pack animals. They always want to be with their owners and that is why when you leave your home for work, your dog will seem anxious.

Usually after leaving your house, you’ll notice that your dog will start barking and displaying a variety of distress behaviors. In fact, he might bark or howl when left alone. This kind of howling or barking is usually persistent and is not triggered by anything else besides being left alone.

Boredom

As aforementioned, dogs are pack animals, and when you leave home, they feel left alone. Dogs are free-spirited and fun-loving. So, when you leave home, there is a lack of stimulation. This results in boredom and loneliness.

When boredom starts to kick in, your dog may start to bark to release or express their frustration. A boredom bark is more of a repetitive monotone. When left to their own devices, boredom barkers usually make their own fun, and you won’t like it.

They can chew shoes and furniture, unroll your toilet paper, shred pillows, and much more. They do this to pass the time. To prevent all these, make sure your dog gets enough physical and mental stimulation. Start by giving him activities like chewing toys.

Bad Weather and Emergencies

When dogs are in an unfamiliar situation or surroundings, they bark to alarm you. When intruders try to gain access to your property, they bark to alert you. If they see you approach your home, they bark excitedly.

If your dog detects bad weather or emergencies such as a storm, it will bark. This is because dogs can sense bad weather and unexpected situations before you do.

Get Your Attention

Dogs will bark because they want to get your attention. If you fail to reward them, they will continue to bark until you do so. A dog will bark seeking your attention for the following reasons:

• Need to poop or pee
• Bored and want to play
• Thirty
• Hungry
• Insecure in their present environment

Certain dog breeds bark more than others. Dog breeds prone to excessive barking include:

• 
  Fox terriers
• 
  Cairn terriers
• 
  Yorkshire terriers
• 
  Beagles
• 
  West Highland terriers
• 
  Miniature schnauzers

The majority of dog owners attempt to silence their dogs when they bark by shouting at them. If you do so, to the dog, it seems like you’re barking too and so they will increase their efforts. Want to ensure your dog stops barking?

Read on.

How To Stop Your Dog From Barking

The following are solutions to stop your dog from barking.

Buy Toys and Puzzles

As aforementioned, your dog can bark excessively when bored, and due to separation anxiety. If bored, the best solution is to buy toys and puzzles. A good example is the smart bone, an interactive toy for dogs designed to look like a bone.

Easy to use, you can program the smart bone to attract your dog’s attention. Depending on the type of touch, the smart bone acts responsively, such as teasing, avoiding, chasing, and more. High quality and entertaining, the toy is ideal for dogs of all ages, sizes, and energy levels.

Exercise

If your dog gets bored or tries to get your attention by barking, give your furry friend an adequate amount of physical and mental exercise. It’s important to do this before leaving for work. A tired dog will likely rest when you leave home for work unlike a bored or a dog with separation anxiety.

You don’t have to take your dog for walks, you can hire a dog walker to do so. Another option is to invest in an indoor dog treadmill. This will come in handy during the cold months of winter.

Remove the Motivation to Bark

Dogs are territorial and they will bark when strangers or intruders try to gain access to your property. They can bark at neighbors, delivery people, and even strangers walking by your property.

If your dog barks at animals or people passing by your living room window, you can stop the barking by putting your dog in another room. Alternatively, you can close the curtains or the blinds when you leave the house. This will remove the opportunity for your dog to see things such as the mailman, delivery persons, or squirrels.

Socialize

Dogs can bark excessively if they haven’t socialized well enough. Like people, dogs have positive experiences when they interact with other people and pets. Whether it’s children or people on bikes, socializing helps reduce barking.

You can allow your dog to meet your mailman. In the process, ask your mail man give your dog their favorite treat. Do this a couple of times, and your dog will recognize the mailman as friendly instead of an intruder.

Training Your Dog to Stop Barking

Teach your dog the quiet command. Yes, you can teach your dog the quiet command and then reinforce it. You can use food, a head halter, or toys and reinforce the behavior. Once you succeed, pair the quiet command with each session. You can also teach your dog settle commands such as down-stay, sit/watch, and mat exercises.

Before training your dog, make sure the area you select for training is free from distractions. This will enable you to gradually shape your dog’s behavior and ensure that you stop your dog from barking on command.

Besides an area free of distractions, have with you devices that can help stop barking. Such devices include those that the owner can activate such as a shake can, noise devices, or ultrasonic trainer. You can also have those activated by barking itself, such as bark-activated spray collars.

Final Thoughts

If your dog’s barking is getting on your nerves, avoid shouting. Shouting will only make your furry friend think you’re also barking and so, the dog will continue barking. To stop your dog from barking, provide activities that will keep your dog occupied and entertained.

A tired dog barks less. To stop your dog from barking, get toys and puzzles, take your dog for walks, remove their motivation to bark, and train your furry friend to stop barking. When you come home, do not make a big fuss when greeting your dog. Once you’re at home and busy preparing dinner or chatting with your kids, give your dog tasks to distract their excitement.

The post Do Dogs Get Tired Of Barking? first appeared on The Quiet Dog.