When Molly, a young German Shepherd, joined her new family, it was meant to be the beginning of a joyful new chapter. The couple鈥攁lready loving guardians to a calm, older dog鈥攈ad recently welcomed their first child. They imagined a vibrant household filled with tail wags, play sessions in the yard, and sweet moments shared between their two dogs and growing family.
At first, Molly was everything they hoped for鈥攂right, affectionate, and eager to please. But it wasn鈥檛 long before they noticed something wasn鈥檛 quite right. She began chasing her tail, at first only occasionally. Then it escalated. Molly would spin in frantic circles, sometimes for minutes at a time, seemingly unaware of the world around her. No amount of redirection could reliably stop her.
As time passed, the spinning became a regular event. It happened when she was excited, when she was anxious, when people came over鈥攐r sometimes for no clear reason at all. The behavior became so intense that she鈥檇 sometimes knock over the baby during her episodes. Despite her guardian鈥檚 best efforts鈥攁djusting her routine and seeking training advice online鈥攖hey couldn鈥檛 seem to help Molly.
They were heartbroken and exhausted. That鈥檚 when they decided to contact me.
When I arrived, I saw a dog who was trying desperately to cope. Molly greeted me and, within minutes, began spinning鈥攖ight, fast circles, her eyes glazed. This wasn鈥檛 typical puppy energy or boredom. It was something deeper.
I explained to the couple that Molly was showing signs of Canine Compulsive Disorder (CCD)鈥攁 condition in which dogs develop repetitive, compulsive behaviour, similar in some ways to OCD in humans.
In dogs, CCD can be tail chasing, flank sucking, excessive licking, pacing, or other repetitive actions that seem disconnected from the environment and hard to interrupt. It鈥檚 not disobedience or poor training鈥攊t鈥檚 a neurological condition that requires both compassion and a structured treatment plan.
We started with a veterinary referral to rule out pain or neurological issues and to discuss medication options that can help reduce Molly鈥檚 compulsive drive. Then, we built a customized rehabilitation plan focused on reducing her stress, creating predictable routines, introducing calming enrichment, and reinforcing alternative behaviours.
Recovery hasn鈥檛 been fast, but nine months later, Molly鈥檚 progress is undeniable. Her spinning is less frequent, and when it happens, she can often stop and re-engage with her people.
Structured routines, calming enrichment, and ongoing support have helped her feel safer and more connected. She now plays gently with the family鈥檚 older dog and relaxes near their toddler, something that once felt impossible. Her eyes are softer, her world calmer. While CCD may never fully disappear, Molly鈥檚 story is proof that with patience, consistency, and the right help, healing is not only possible鈥攊t鈥檚 life-changing for everyone involved.
Canine Compulsive Disorder is often misunderstood and it鈥檚 more common than many realize. If your dog shows signs such as constant spinning, tail chasing, or other repetitive behaviour that is hard to interrupt, don鈥檛 wait鈥攔each out for help.
Early support can make all the difference.
