Tail chasing, shadow chasing, flank sucking, and excessive licking (acral lick dermatitis) often fall into the category of "canine compulsive disorder." Advanced veterinary science, specifically MRI studies, has shown that these dogs often have structural or neurochemical abnormalities similar to human patients with OCD. These are not training issues; they are brain issues. Treatment requires a combination of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like fluoxetine, alongside behavioral modification—a purely veterinary medical intervention.
: Professionals at Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine emphasize that behaviors like anxiety or frustration are biological responses rather than "bad" choices. Zooskool Vixen 11