Leg/bug/itch paranoia?

[malioswa]

Not sure how to best describe this, but Blue (11 mo F) has recently been freaking out every so often about something on, or perceived wrong with, her back leg. She'll swing around as if a fly or something is on her hind leg. I've examined for ticks or what have you, can't see a thing. Anyone ever seen this behavior? It's easy to snap her out of but odd and concerning no less. It also makes her a bit more suspicious in general, happens a few times a day. Never before.

Thanks!!!

 

[JanS]

That does sound odd. How do her joints seem? It makes me wonder if she has a cramp or hurting leg that sometimes flares up and causes it.

 

[Ravenbird]

My puppy would do that, and it took me a while but I finally figured it out. It was always after she got silly rolling and flopping on the living room rug (rest of the house is tile). Long story short, she was creating static electricity and after a minute or two of being still, she'd get up to go to her bed or whatever and swing around like you describe. And look around her like there was a ghost, "what was that?" She's matured a lot and doesn't get crazy on the rug as much, but that's the only time it happens.

 

[Ddski5]

Does Blue have a docked tail?

Could be phantom tail sensation.

 

[jazzies mum]

Does Blue have a docked tail?

Could be phantom tail sensation.

Is that a thing? Must seem weird for the dog to feel something that's not there!

 

[malioswa]

Does Blue have a docked tail?

Could be phantom tail sensation.

Yes she's docked, would have never thought of that, interesting. And she has, lately, shown clear irritation with her tail - not severe but she checks it out a bit more than... well, ever. It's never quit gotten full hair growth over the nub but has never been an issue either, looks pretty good. Why this behavior started all of the sudden, is my curiosity.

I always wondered if putting her in sit irritated it just due to the length (any dock really), maybe it does? Appreciate the reply!

 

[malioswa]

My puppy would do that, and it took me a while but I finally figured it out. It was always after she got silly rolling and flopping on the living room rug (rest of the house is tile). Long story short, she was creating static electricity and after a minute or two of being still, she'd get up to go to her bed or whatever and swing around like you describe. And look around her like there was a ghost, "what was that?" She's matured a lot and doesn't get crazy on the rug as much, but that's the only time it happens.

Dang, would not have thought of this this in a million years lol - but it very well could be. Will have to pay attention to when and where she does it. Funny enough she literally has no response to the shock or vibrate from any ecollar....only the beep! Loosely related

 

[malioswa]

That does sound odd. How do her joints seem? It makes me wonder if she has a cramp or hurting leg that sometimes flares up and causes it.

I was concerned about joints due to her age; we LET her run or jump but don't encourage it per se, and I've always heard there are risks especially with bigger breeds. That said I don't perceive any issues with her hinds but I'm not really qualified to gauge lol. Normal gait imo.

 

[Kaiser2016]

Maybe it is boredom related. When Kaiser misses his exercise he will chase his nub by spinning while making those open mouth growling sounds that two Dobermans usually make when playing with each other. Sometimes he does that to a hind leg too pretending to play bite it. If we then play with him, he doesn’t do any of that until the next round of boredom comes along.

 

[Ravenbird]

Maybe it is boredom related. When Kaiser misses his exercise he will chase his nub by spinning while making those open mouth growling sounds that two Dobermans usually make when playing with each other. Sometimes he does that to a hind leg too pretending to play bite it. If we then play with him, he doesn’t do any of that until the next round of boredom comes along.

Asha has done this as well, and like you say, after a light day. As a puppy it was every evening (you saw the tantrum videos, right?) but as she's gotten older the extremes are less and less. But yeah, chasing & biting tail and hind leg. The sudden swing and stare that @malioswa describes was a static shock from the rug when that behavior happened. It was short, instant, out of the blue and after a moment or two she would forget about it. One time she'd plopped in her bed and jumped out, wheeled around and stared at the bed for a minute, then laid on the rug, wouldn't get back in the bed. The biting leg and/or tail would go on until I made her quit.

 

[Dogs4Life]

Zeus totally does this. Never thought of it being a static electricity type shock though. Now that I think about it, I due believe most of these instances happen after a play fit on the carpet or zoomies around the house. Zeus is docked and his nub took awhile to heal because his mom was constantly licking it before we picked him up. He then would hit it on the cage every so often and bust it back open. Due to this he does not have any hair on the end part of his nub and I believe this may have made it extra sensitive as well. He has never appeared to be in pain but the "spin around and stare" gets me cracking up sometimes.

 

[malioswa]

Blue will do it actually exclusively outside, never seen it in the house. Maybe once? Often right when we go out, it sets off. The boredom factor makes sense. Days I work she has some downtime during the day and gets most actual exercise in the evening/night. I do think sometimes it's legitimately a fly or gnat since it's summer. She's a wild one lol. Aren't they all.

Anyway, enjoyed the stories - makes ME less paranoid - @Ravenbird especially LOL, I can just picture it.