Tail pull injuries can cause damage to nerves higher up in the spinal cord that control urination and defecation. If the nerves that control urination and defecation are injured, your dog may become incontinent. With time, nerve function may return; however, some dogs remain unable to control their bladder or bowels.
Is it OK to grab a dog by the tail? If you try to pull or even just touch your dog's tail, he might become protective and he could either bark or bite. This is why it's especially important not to pull his tail and to teach children that as well.
Cosmetic tail docking is cruel to puppies, and other species, especially when done without anaesthesia. Veterinary and Animal Welfare Associations in African countries should therefore move a legislative process that could lead to a ban of the procedure.
Some dogs will not liked to be touched because they feel sensitive in a certain area. Although this doesn't have to be the tail, there is another reason why this might be the case. Since the tail is so close to the anus, it can feel extra sensitive and may even breed some insecurity.
There may, however, be a bit more of a medical explanation behind the euphoria expressed by your pooch when the 'rump' area is scratched. This area at the base of your dog's tail is full of sensitive nerve endings. As such, the scratching sensation in this area is quite pleasurable to our canine companions.
As The Guardian reports, obsessive tail chasing is considered a symptom of canine compulsive disorder. If left unchecked, this behavior can become self-destructive, resulting in dogs damaging their tails. If you believe your dog is obsessively chasing their tail, consult your vet.
Any non-veterinarian who docks a dog's tail, or any veterinarian who docks for a reason other than the dog's welfare, is liable for prosecution. A maximum penalty of $14,375 applies for individuals and up to 5 times more for corporations. Dog tail docking is banned in all other Australian states and territories.
Tail docking is painful
Docking a puppy's tail involves cutting through muscles, tendons, up to seven pairs of highly sensitive nerves and severing bone and cartilage connections. Tail docking is usually carried out without any anaesthesia or analgesia (pain relief).
“Docking's usually performed by a veterinarian or breeder without anesthesia, the rationale being that although it certainly causes pain, the puppy isn't fully alert yet and won't remember it,” says Emily Patterson-Kane, PhD, an animal welfare scientist at the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
While you might think that touching or grabbing onto your dog's tail is a fun way to play, your dog would sorely disagree with you. Grabbing a dog's tail—something that children are particularly tempted to do—can be very painful and terrifying for your dog.
Young pups chew their tails as they become aware of their body parts. Imagine puppies thinking, “What is that thing following me around? I'll grab it and see.” Pups consider the tail as a toy rather than anatomy.
The Tail's Height
In general, a dog who is holding his tail high may be feeling excited, alert or dominant, while a dog holding his tail down low may be afraid or submissive. The more anxious or submissive a dog is feeling, the more tightly he will tuck his tail close to his body.
The Australian Shepherd and mini Australian Shepherd both often undergo tail docking for the following reasons: It's considered a standard of the breed. An undocked tail is long, messy, and could get matted. To prevent damage from tall grass, weeds, and other outdoor dangers.
Ear cropping is painful and completely unnecessary. Despite what some breeders will claim, cropping a dog's ears does not benefit them in any way. It can be detrimental to their health, behaviour and welfare in the short-term and in the long-term.
Anyone who has ever accidentally stepped on a dog's tail has probably wondered if dogs can understand the difference between doing something by mistake about doing it on purpose. Now a new study suggests that, at least in some circumstances, dogs do seem to know when their humans have just screwed up.
Tails are normally docked at 2 to 5 days of age without anaesthetic being used. When carried out correctly, the procedure causes no more than momentary discomfort since the puppy does not have a fully developed nervous system.
Historically, tail docking was thought to prevent rabies, strengthen the back, increase the animal's speed, and prevent injuries when ratting, fighting, and baiting. Tail docking is done in modern times either for prophylactic, therapeutic, cosmetic purposes, and/or to prevent injury.
There are several breeds where puppies are born without tails. The most familiar dog breeds with docked tails include Australian Shepherd, Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog, Brittany Spaniel, Danish Swedish Farmdog, Jack Russell Terrier, Schipperke, and Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
While not all Australian Shepherd dogs are born naturally bobbed tailed, the majority of Aussies sport the classic bobbed tail look. Whether you are anti-docking or indifferent, it is hard to ignore the medical benefits and reduction in memorable pain that come as a result of the procedure.
These days, ear cropping is done for cosmetic reasons. However, the procedure used to be done for practical reasons. For example, Boxers were often used as guard dogs. Cropping their ears actually improved their hearing, which therefore enhanced their job performance.
Many have naturally short tails.
In addition to having a genetic predisposition for heterochromia, Aussies have a one-in-five chance of being born with a naturally bobbed tail,. Ranchers purposely bred Aussies that had these naturally short tails because they are safer when it comes to herding.
A dog tilts his head to show that he is engaged much the way a human would nod during a conversation to indicate that he is listening. Social dogs that enjoy human interaction usually tilt their heads more often to encourage the continuation of the conversation and prolong the human contact.
Dogs often show affection by licking. It's an instinctive behaviour that's linked to the comfort they felt when their mother licked them as a puppy. Licking plays an important part of how they bond with others, causing them to release dopamine and endorphins that help make them feel relaxed, calm and happy.
Just as humans stare into the eyes of someone they adore, dogs will stare at their owners to express affection. In fact, mutual staring between humans and dogs releases oxytocin, known as the love hormone. This chemical plays an important role in bonding and boosts feelings of love and trust.
Why Dock a Dog's Tail? Tail docking has some interesting roots. Historically, it was thought to decrease the risk of rabies and strengthen a dog's back. The most common reason to dock in recent history is to decrease injury risk to working dogs—dogs who hunt, herd, or otherwise work in the field.