My dog keeps biting his docked tail.

by April

Do you have a suggestion on how to keep my dog from biting his docked tail?

He is 10 weeks old and refuses to let his tail heal. It is not infected however.

I think the best solution is to put a collar on until it starts to heal.

Hi April
If you've had your puppy's tail checked by your veterinarian and it's not infected, it could be that the stitches are tight, or there is just some residual irritation that's causing him to bite at it.

Putting an elizabethan collar on him is a good idea, it's probably the most effective way of stopping him from getting to it. Puppies can be very inventive and determined when they want to be!

Covering it with a bandage sprayed with bitter apple may also work, but chances are the collar will work better.

Good luck.

Comments for
My dog keeps biting his docked tail.

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Rating

prevention? NEW
by: Anonymous

One COULD break a leg, but no one advocates "docking" a leg as a prevention. In the unlikely event of an injury, then have the tail docked. Please stop pretending that this is done for a reason other than that it has always been done. I have a docked corgi only b/c he "came" that way. Yes, it is cute, but he doesn't her cattle. He bites his docked "stump" all the time. Lifelong pain can result from any amputation. Dogs are beautiful and happier left as they are created.

Rating

Docked tails and ears
by: Mary

The Doberman's ears are docked not to prevent ear infections, they were first docked in Germany where
they originated as guard dogs. The docked ears and
tails are so they could not be grabbed, by an intruder. The docked ears make them appear more menacing. I agree with docking the tail for the dogs own safety. The ears however, should be left natural. My Dobe has never had an ear infection yet, my Lab has them contantly.

Rating

Docked tails and ears
by: Mary

The Doberman's ears are not docked to prevent ear infections, they were first docked in Germany where
they originated as guard dogs. The docked ears and
tails are so they can not be grabbed. The docked ears make them appear more menacing. I agree with docking the tail for the dogs own safety. The ears however, should be left natural. My Dobe has never had an ear infection yet, my Lab has them contantly.

Rating

docked tails
by: Anonymous

i have a boxer pup and got him with a docked tail. he keeps biting it too and as the breeder done a rubbish job at doing it, we now need to wait til he is fully grown to correct it. he is currently on antibiotics and gel cream to sooth where he keeps biting it.

as for the comments with regards to saying that people that want docked tails on dogs should reconsider owing animals take a swivell. it is not cosmetic and its not for looks. my puppy has a docked tail and fair play the breeders done a crap job but me myself as an owner is doing the up most best to give my puppy all the love, affection and regular trips to the vets to make sure he is ok. so dont start stereotyping on your high horse. i dont even have pet insurance and i pay every vet bill straight out with no worries. its not cruel and it annoys me somewhat to hear idiots going on about it. lets put it this way i would rather have my dogs tail done at a few days old rather than the stories that you hear that they accidently trap them in a door. what would be more traumatic???

Rating

Tail Docking
by: Anonymous

The purpose of docking a highly energetic, sporting dog such as a Doberman is that they do on occasions break their tails which is extremely painful and traumatic for the dog. The origin and purpose of this procedure is not cosmetic. Same with the cropping of their ears to prevent infections.... straight from my vet's mouth. Please do your homework before spewing a bunch of nonsense.

Rating

hi
by: Anonymous

I have a four year old female doberman...that has licked and bit her tail till there is no fur and just raw.....nothing has changed she just started doin this and she wont stop. any ideas??? thanks

Rating

TAIL DOCKING
by: Anonymous

I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT IF THE TAIL IS DOCKED CORRECTLY AND AT THE RIGHT TIME THERE IS NO PROBLEMS WITH THIS PROCEDURE AT ALL. I HAVE TWO ROTTS AND 3 BOXERS ALL WITH DOCKED TAILS AND I WOULD NOT CONSIDER BUYING ONE WITH A TAIL, THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE THEY DO WITH TAILS IS RIDICULOUS. THEY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THEMSELVES AND OTHERS, THEN AS A ADULT DOG HAVING THEIR TAIL DOCKED IS MUCH MORE DANGEROUS!! I JUST CANT BELIEVE THAT THE VETS WONT DO IT, HENCE LOTS OF PEOPLE DOING IT THEMSELVES AND CAUSING MORE PROBLEMS FOR LOTS OF LITTLE PUPPIES!!

Rating

Ignore Anonymous
by: Cathy

This is to Anonymous who apparently doesn't know much about different dog breeds and how sometimes they actually serve a purpose like sporting dogs, it is far more likely that a dog will suffer more pain from not being docked then being docked. Please take a look at the big picture before you choose to fight a battle that you don't know much about. You as well as a group of synical people (so call advocates) that just like to hear themseves talk without realizing that you are cause more harm then not.

Rating

Really?
by: Anonymous

Unless the puppy had a medical reason to get it's tail docked (which i highly doubt in a 10 week old puppy) ...why in the world did you get it docked in the first place??

There is absolutly no reason to get a puppys tail docked. If it is purely for appearance than you should highly reconsider owning a pet, since they are not an accessory, or something to make you look good. They are supposed to be something you love and care for no matter what it looks like.

Think about it.

Click here to add your own comments

Return to Puppy Questions.