Growling at tail and biting

[HiDawl]

Today, I found a scab on Coco's tail. She's been biting and growling at it from the first day I got her. When I took her to the vet two months ago, he said she didn't have any signs of fleas. Today, I checked and she has no flea signs.

What could the wound on her tail be?

[yorkieK9trainer]

When did she get it docked and when did you pick her up from the breeders? Is she young?

I'm wondering if where they docked the tail is just irritating her. Sometime any scar tissue that develops may become painful or irritating.
Just a thought.

[Rae Rae]

Rocky chases his tail and growls at it too! I always wondered why he does this. He doesn't have fleas (atleast that I have seen) and his tail isn't docked.

[HiDawl]

Originally Posted by yorkieK9trainer

When did she get it docked and when did you pick her up from the breeders? Is she young?

I'm wondering if where they docked the tail is just irritating her. Sometime any scar tissue that develops may become painful or irritating.
Just a thought.

I thought about that too, but geez, I got her at 12 weeks, that should have had time to heal, yaknow? She is now almost 4 months on Dec. 16th. Should I put neosporene or something on her tail?


Alma

[yorkieK9trainer]

This can happen even YEARS after a docking is done. Don't rule it out.

[HiDawl]

Originally Posted by yorkieK9trainer

This can happen even YEARS after a docking is done. Don't rule it out.

Thanks! What should I do? Just let him bite it? Or put some type of medication?

[yorkieK9trainer]

Only your vet can really determine if his nerves are on the fritz due to the scar tissue build up. He can simply feel it and see if there's an accumulation and it doesn't have to be a lot for him to be bothered by it, each dog's tolerance is different. That's what I'm thinking it is, but I've never seen your kid AND I'm not a vet, just experienced. Which doesn't account for everything. SO, I'd make an appointment and take him in. If your vet shrugs it off, I might seek someone that has more experience in croppings and dockings specifically (just ask the ladies at the front office for a referal for such procedures in the area-not necc. a "specialist" just "where does everyone go for this" kinda question) and see what they say. They're more apt to seeing patients long term after the procedure they've performed on them as puppies and will know better perhaps (if your vet isn't already able to) what you're suggesting and what to look for and what the next step would be.

No, I would not let him bite it or bite at it as best you can. On the reverse side, he probably won't stop until something is actually done to *fix* the problem. First see if there really is a problem to be fixed and THEN if nothing, I'd consider it neurotic and correct him accordingly, but I'm willing to bet money that that's not it.

[Rae Rae]

Originally Posted by yorkieK9trainer

Only your vet can really determine if his nerves are on the fritz due to the scar tissue build up. He can simply feel it and see if there's an accumulation and it doesn't have to be a lot for him to be bothered by it, each dog's tolerance is different. That's what I'm thinking it is, but I've never seen your kid AND I'm not a vet, just experienced. Which doesn't account for everything. SO, I'd make an appointment and take him in. If your vet shrugs it off, I might seek someone that has more experience in croppings and dockings specifically (just ask the ladies at the front office for a referal for such procedures in the area-not necc. a "specialist" just "where does everyone go for this" kinda question) and see what they say. They're more apt to seeing patients long term after the procedure they've performed on them as puppies and will know better perhaps (if your vet isn't already able to) what you're suggesting and what to look for and what the next step would be.

No, I would not let him bite it or bite at it as best you can. On the reverse side, he probably won't stop until something is actually done to *fix* the problem. First see if there really is a problem to be fixed and THEN if nothing, I'd consider it neurotic and correct him accordingly, but I'm willing to bet money that that's not it.

What about dogs whos tails haven't been docked, but they still chase their tale and bite/growl at it?

[yorkieK9trainer]

Rae Rae-
Then that's another whole new can of worms! Do you have a dog doing this? If so, I'd ask a couple of questions. Either way,the end result is the same, however. If your dog is not chasing his/her tail due to a medical condition then it's often suggested that it's considered a neurotic behavior unless the behavior just began or they are not obsessive about it or it can be triggered by certain events or they're simply doing it on command.

What I mean by "the end result is the same" is that aside for medical, regardless of *why* he/she is doing it, it should be corrected.

It's the means of correction that varies on the severity and reasons for doing it in the first place.

[Rae Rae]

Originally Posted by yorkieK9trainer

Rae Rae-
Then that's another whole new can of worms! Do you have a dog doing this? If so, I'd ask a couple of questions. Either way,the end result is the same, however. If your dog is not chasing his/her tail due to a medical condition then it's often suggested that it's considered a neurotic behavior unless the behavior just began or they are not obsessive about it or it can be triggered by certain events or they're simply doing it on command.

What I mean by "the end result is the same" is that aside for medical, regardless of *why* he/she is doing it, it should be corrected.

It's the means of correction that varies on the severity and reasons for doing it in the first place.

He does it occassionally, maybe once/twice every few days. I don't think he's bitten at it, and I can't remember if he growls, but he definitly goes crazy chasing it. He makes me dizzy just watching him! He'll just do it randomly, but usually when he's playing with his toys he'll take a break from them, and go to his tail. Does this sound like something I should worry about? Should I stop him when he does this? I don't need to get him to a vet or anything ASAP do I?

[SnowWa]

My plumb little guy couldn't get a hold of his short little tail in a million years.

Carol Jean

[Rae Rae]

Originally Posted by SnowWa

My plumb little guy couldn't get a hold of his short little tail in a million years.

Carol Jean

Aww poor baby Rocky has actually caught his tail before, LOL

[yorkieK9trainer]

Rae Rae, I couldn't help to giggle when you mentioned that Rocky was determined enough that he ACTUALLY caught his poor little tail. lol, poor baby. I'm sure that was a suprise.

NO, doesn't sound like you need to do anything more w/ your little guy than tell him No-assuming he knows what that means-when he does it. You certainly don't want to let him do this. It may be funny now, but especially if you giggle or laugh when he does it, if he's the kind of dog that takes that as encouragement, he'll only be that more determined. I have a dog that if she thinks I'm amuzed by something she'd put her whole heart into doing whatever it is at the time that's making me laugh/giggle. Quite annoying really, because I'm often laughing at the stupid things I wish she didn't do (this was when she was a pup). I've since corrected myself and her and she's no longer like this...a little nutty.

So, yeah, I'd just correct him each time you see him do it personally.

[Rae Rae]

Originally Posted by yorkieK9trainer

Rae Rae, I couldn't help to giggle when you mentioned that Rocky was determined enough that he ACTUALLY caught his poor little tail. lol, poor baby. I'm sure that was a suprise.

NO, doesn't sound like you need to do anything more w/ your little guy than tell him No-assuming he knows what that means-when he does it. You certainly don't want to let him do this. It may be funny now, but especially if you giggle or laugh when he does it, if he's the kind of dog that takes that as encouragement, he'll only be that more determined. I have a dog that if she thinks I'm amuzed by something she'd put her whole heart into doing whatever it is at the time that's making me laugh/giggle. Quite annoying really, because I'm often laughing at the stupid things I wish she didn't do (this was when she was a pup). I've since corrected myself and her and she's no longer like this...a little nutty.

So, yeah, I'd just correct him each time you see him do it personally.

We really don't laugh as much, we usually just stand there in awe because were so shocked at how fast he can run around in circles..and not fall over when he stops! I'll start to correct him when he does this, but I'm curious as to why this isn't good behavior..what does it encourage?

[mitchell]

Originally Posted by yorkieK9trainer

This can happen even YEARS after a docking is done. Don't rule it out.

Totally agree there..Max had problems with his docked tail all through his young life..biting etc. The vet said the docking may have caused a nerve to be aggravated. As he got alot older it got easier...or maybe he got use to it.