Has My Dog ​​gone Mad?

Suddenly, your beloved pet – whom you spoil and take care of with care – growls at you rather than happily appreciating the caress you just gave him. Or, suddenly, you notice that it is trying to catch imaginary flies or spinning around trying to bite its own tail. That’s when you wonder if your dog has gone mad. We explain what could be happening to him.

Why did my dog ​​suddenly become aggressive?

Dog behavior problems tend to have different origins and, in general, if they are treated in time, they can be solved. Inadequate education and the humanization of the dog can lead, for example, into aggressive attitudes towards the owners.

Perhaps it is difficult for you to understand, through your human reasoning, why an animal that you give everything to and that you have treated like a member of the family, even allowing it all its “whims”, can suddenly have such a violent reaction towards you.

But it is in the way you raised your pet that the problem lies. The fact is that it is an animal, not a person. And if it’s okay to consider him part of the family, don’t forget that he’s a dog, not a human being. And that you have to respect its nature.

In addition, both people and pets must satisfy some patterns of coexistence in a home. So educate your dog with clear rules and without contradictions. And don’t hesitate to ask your vet or an animal behavior specialist for advice.

Other behaviors that may make you think your dog is crazy

In addition, there are other attitudes that can lead you to think that your dog has gone crazy. These are the so-called stereotyped behaviors, which are nothing more than repeated actions that always follow the same sequence and which, apparently, do not fulfill any function or aim at any goal.

For example, the dog begins to:

• Hunt flying insects that don’t exist.
• Turn in a circle.
• Constantly licking some part of his body, an action that can lead to injury.
• Chasing its tail.
• Growl to himself.
• Attach his bowl.

Can all animals exhibit stereotyped behaviors?

The so-called stereotyped behaviors occur only in animals that live in the house as pets and in those that are in contact with humans in:

• Farms
• Zoo
• Farms
• Kennels and shelters

No stereotypical behavior was found in animals found in the wild. Everything seems to indicate that domestication and, above all, confinement, generate these abnormal attitudes.

So, since we humans are dealing with all of this, we should begin to understand what part of the responsibility we have in this regard, before asking ourselves what is happening to our animal, which has suddenly gone mad.

Reasons that cause stereotypical behaviors in dogs

For this reason, it  is very important to try to establish under what circumstances these abnormal behaviors began to occur in your dog,  as they tend to coincide with situations that cause him stress or anxiety. For instance:

• Removals and renovations.
• Births or deaths in the family.
• A new pet in the house.
• Continuous discussions among the inhabitants of the house.
• Abuse, even if only in verbal form or with aggressive body language.
• Keep him locked up or bound permanently.
• Do not allow him to walk or exercise properly.

Physical causes of some stereotyped behaviors

However, there can also be some organic causes that lead a dog to develop compulsive behaviors. That means:

• Some intracranial diseases, such as hydrocephalus or meningoencephalitis, or the presence of tumors.
• Tail fractures or compression of the cauda equina.

• Various skin conditions, such as dermatitis or food allergies or due to insect bites.
• Viral diseases, for example distemper.
• Injuries to the peripheral nerve pathways.
• Some eye problems.
• Lead poisoning.
• Hepatic encephalopathy.

In any case, do not hesitate to consult your veterinarian.