pointer behavior

Question
We recently adopted a stray pointer who was near death secondary to starvation. She is slowly recovering. Now that she is active again, we have noticed she obsessively runs in circles. The circles are just big enough to see that she isn't chasing her tail. She is an outside dog and has fifteen acres to run around on.

Answer
Hi LaDana,

Since you don't know the history of the dog, it's possible that wherever she's from, she was kept in a small cage, where she had no choice but to run in small circles.

Although she certainly has the room to run now, she retains the habit. It's as simple as that. Once a habit is learned, a dog is on "autopilot", and logic doesn't enter into it.

In time, you may see less of the circle-running habit, as she begin to notice that she doesn't have to do it, or she may retain this habit for her entire life.

That said, it's a behavior worth discussing with your vet. Sometimes running in circles is a neurological problem, and sign of a seizure.

I hope I've been a help.
Best of luck,

Patti