Ask the Animal Behaviorist (patients’ names have been changed to
protect their privacy) Six months ago, we purchased a four-
month-old Bull Terrier from a reputable breeder. In the past
month, Sera has begun chasing her tail numerous times per day.
When engaged in tail chasing, she can’t be distracted and
doesn’t seem to know we exist. We’re afraid she will injure
herself and are distraught by the change in our relationship
with Sera. She can become aggressive towards us if we attempt to
interrupt her when she is in the midst of a particularly serious
bout of tail chasing. We called the breeder, but she said she’d
never heard of such behavior other than as playful puppy
behavior. She indicated that it was our fault because we didn’t
provide Sera with an adequate environment and appropriate
socialization opportunities. After speaking with other Bull
Terrier owners, we learned that tail chasing may be a genetic
problem in the breed. We feel that the breeder has been
dishonest with us and is wrongfully blaming us