Strange behavior: "jogging" in circles
 

Buster has recently started acting strangely, and I was hoping someone might know what's going on.

His new favorite thing to do is to "jog" around a 6x9" rug on which our kitchen table sits. He'll do this for a couple hours at a time. His pace is quicker than a walk, but slower than the "zoomies" he used to do as a real little puppy. He'll sometimes stop and look either out a nearby window or up at a light switch, and then continue jogging.

His behavior is bordering on the obsessive. While he's jogging, he's almost completely unresponsive to what were formerly his favorite things--fetch, treats--and also to basic commands. Really the only thing that breaks his obsession is a trip outside. But even then, he'll go right back to jogging when he gets home. And he'll do this for hours at a time.

He's one year old and neutered, so I'm not sure if he'd be affected by a nearby dog in heat.

I think he might just be stir crazy, but it's cold here in Wisconsin, so our ability to spend time outside is limited. Also, I could usually get him panting harder after a long game of fetch, so if it's just simple exercise he craves, I don't understand why he prefers his jogging to fetch.

This pattern has been going on for about 4 days now. Does anyone have a dog that behaves similarly? Any suggestions on how to break him of his jogging obsession? We miss his playful, interactive personality.

My babies don't do that...but Cesar (the dog whisperer) would have your baby on a tread mill!!! :D

I've seen his show and like his approach. Do you have any examples of his techniques, or where to find them?

This is really bizarre...

Maybe you should have bloodwork done and also a Bile Acid test as well...Something 'funky' may be going on..

My Roxy has anxiety issues and they cause her to do 'laps' too, but not for hours at a time, it's only for minutes when she is under dire stress (in her mind at least)...

I agree with you. Before any behavior modification is started this little one should see a vet....no telling what is going on.:confused:

Thanks for all the responses. I've thought about taking him in for a visit, but nothing appears out of the ordinary aside from his jogging. Are there any other symptoms (of anything) for which I should look?

...welll to me, this is odd behavior, since he never did it before and he will do it for hours...sounds like a Neuro Issue, and I would have bloodwork done :(

This behavior is not normal. That poor pup must be in some kind of
distress. Dosen't a puppy with a shunt walk in circles?

Thanks for impressing on me the potential seriousness of his behavior.

I found this description of shunt symptoms:

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"If your dog has a congenital portosystemic shunt, you will likely see signs of this while he or she is a young puppy. These signs are generally associated with the central nervous system, the gastrointestinal tract, or the urinary tract. Most consistently, there are signs of hepatic encephalopathy - neurological and behavioural evidence of diffuse brain disease due to liver dysfunction. These signs can be quite vague and may include loss of appetite, depression, lethargy, weakness, poor balance, disorientation, blindness, seizures, and coma. The signs may wax and wane, and may worsen after eating a protein-rich meal.

Your pup may appear to be growing very slowly. Other non-specific gastrointestinal signs can include intermittent loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea.

Failure of the liver to clear ammonia means that there will be increased excretion in the urine. This commonly leads to urolithiasis - kidney, bladder or urethral calculi or stones due to the build-up of mineral salts. Your dog may have blood in the urine, or difficulty or pain in urinating.

The first sign of PSS in a dog may be a prolonged recovery from anesthesia, or excessive sedation after treatment with some medications. This occurs because the drugs are not metabolized as they would normally be by the liver, but instead are recirculated in the body."
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He doesn't seem to match that description, which I think is a good thing.

Still, I think your idea to take him into the vet is a good one, and I'll arrange for it.

Depedning on your area...the costs are pretty inexpensive.

A full blood panel is $60 to $100
A Bile Acid Test is $60 to $100

I think it may be worth it :thumbup:

I agree. Its sound slike there is something medical going on. I think a trip to the vets for a check up would be a good idea, and if thats all clear, i would treat it as an obsession.

I agree. I don't want to scare you, but circling is a symptom of some very scary illnesses. I believe dogs with hydrocephalus also circle (and maybe others?), but I think you may have noticed if it was hydrocephalus since this is typically a very severe disease. I'm so sorry :( Please take him to your vet and get at least a bile acid test done and see what your vet things.

Definitely get a physical.

However, it is possible that it is a symptom of something more mild and psychological. I was just a reading a book about how animals in zoos often develop obsessive patterns like this - they are called "stereotypies", I believe.

If that's the case, it's likely partly exercise and also boredom. He doesn't just get exercise on walks; he gets to sniff things, mark his territory, meet other dogs, etc.

I would try challenging him mentally, particularly his predatory instincts. Try feeding him his meal in a kong, for instance. Hide treats in boxes and let him "dig" them out. Is there anywhere indoors you can go, maybe take him to a doggy daycare a couple times?