Dog walking in circles

[apricot]

My dog is walking round in circles. She has being doing this for almost 2 hours now. It is not the first time I have seen her do this but this has been the longest period. She seems quite happy, has been fed this morning, has water and spent the morning outside in the garden. If I attempt to block her path she takes a different route but always in a circle, never just pacing. She has a broken vertebrae (ill treatment prior to my ownership) which results in her dragging her back legs slightly which makes a scraping noise as she walks. She is also profoundly deaf, but that doesn't seem to bother her. Help, does anyone know why she is doing this

[sft42]

Dogs will always walk around in a circle at least once before they settle down for a sleep to make sure they are safe and no one is in their territory they don't trust....Perhaps if the dog was abused before you got her then this may be a hangover from that and she can't shake off the insecurity...only an idea though...no harm in taking her to the vet for the once over though eh?

[IndieSinger]

Some animals pace around in circles when they're pregnant... but usually when they're quite close to actually giving birth. She hasn't had any puppies has she?!

[woofgang]

If this is a stress related symptom or is causing her physical prtoblems, there is some thing new called Canine appeasing phemerone that comes in a diffuser thingie. I understand that it emits a phemorone like that of a lactating lady dog and so calms dogs without the need for tranquilisers. I think its not cheap, but you might like to talk to your vet about it

[apricot]

Thanks everyone for such a quick response, I am impressed. SFt42 - my dog was badly beaten as a pup. Her behaviour when she was rescued was diabolical and she was referred to a dog psychologist who managed to sort out all of her problems. She had 3 homes prior to mine where she didn't even last the day! The only habit she now has is to suck her duvet, a bit like a child with a security blanket, but that is not a problem. Indiesinger - she has been speyed and I don't know if she had puppies before I owned her. She was 18 months old when I got her. DawnDpt - she is loved and cherished. She was formerly alpha dog but for the last 2 years she has had to kowtow to a larger and younger male dog. He is assertive but not aggressive towards her whereas she has drawn blood from him. woofgang - She may be stressed, although her life is pretty good, who knows. I am concerned about her physical condition relating to her broken vertebrae though. When her hackles go up there is a flat patch where the nerves are damaged, very weird to see. I watched her yesterday and she always walks anti-clockwise so it may be related to her back. I feel a visit to the vets coming on, luckily my practice charges very little for animals who have been rescued

[honkytonkman]

My sister's dog started to circle about when she had an inner ear infection which required antbiotics. Considering your poor dog's past life, I think a visit to the vet is definitely on the cards. I've heard that animals in captivity (Polar Bears etc...) pace about relentlessly when they're depressed or suffering from extreme boredom or stress due to lack of stimuli. Sounds like a lovely dog though I'm sure it's rewarding to see her make progress and managing to shake off the remnants of her sad former life. Best of luck!

[apricot]

Thanks honkytonkman - I am beginning to think the ear problem is about right. I have to clean her ears every day as she produces huge amounts of black gunk (sorry if this sounds gross). She has an epiotic liquid which cleans her ears and an antibiotic lotion which is used every now and again but I suspect I need to take her the vets again. I also though of the way zoo animals pace when they are stressed, but this is not pacing but circling and always anticlockwise. If I get an answer soon I will let everyone know. Thanks again everyone who answered.

[Azimov]

I don't have anything useful to add but felt compelled to say that I'm heartened to see someone caring, as much as you appear to, for an animal with such a sad past. The term "lucky dog" never seemed so appropriate!