Dogs With Obsessive- Compulsive Behaviors

Title: Dogs With Obsessive- Compulsive Behaviors
Author: Connie Limon

The same tensions that occur in people with
obsessive-compulsive disorder occur in dogs and Shih Tzu
occasionally. Arising out of stress and conflict the
obsessive-compulsive behaviors have some soothing effects on
mood. Prevention of dogs from engaging in their particular
compulsions can create anxiety in its own right.

There are two factors that seem to be necessary for the
development of compulsive behaviors in dogs and Shih Tzu
occasionally. Obsessive-compulsive behaviors are more often seen
in the larger breed of dogs.

1.Genetic predisposition
2.Environmental stress that will trigger the expression of the
behavior.

The stress can either be a sudden type of high-grade stress or
a less severe long-standing pressure that causes a sudden or
gradual onset of the condition. The behavior pattern that
emerges will depend on the particular breed. In general,
longhaired large breeds of dogs may over groom, herding breeds
may chase or hoard and a pure predatory breed may bite, mouth or
chase objects. In comparison to human obsessive-compulsive
behaviors, a human may over groom by applying their lipstick
over and over or continually rearranging their hair or even the
hand washing ritual with the washing of the hands over and over
again.

All the behaviors performed by compulsive canines are
essentially normal behaviors. They are just performed over and
over again and out of context. The same occurs with humans.
There is nothing wrong with washing your hands repeatedly, but
if you wash your hands several hundred times a day you have a
problem. Psychiatrists treat the human problems on a case-by
case basis. Veterinarians remain divided regarding the
significance of canine overly expressed behaviors.

One of the big breakthroughs of canine obsessive-compulsive
disorders came with the fairly wide acceptance in human medicine
of the obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders. These disorders
are of a compulsive nature and have certain causal and
physiological features in common. Basically, humans no longer
have to be a hand washer, hoarder, or checker to have OCD
relating to concerns over personal safety. Instead a more
general description involving other repetitive behaviors as well
is the most current theory. If susceptible humans under various
forms of stress react by performing various compulsive behaviors
related to their own species such as grooming, exercising,
gathering, hunting, dogs are probably doing the same. Dogs are
self-groomers, predators and imbibers, which are a few of their
naturalistic behaviors that become obsessive with them. For
example, when stressed, a dog may begin to groom themselves
excessively, or they may drink water excessively.

Lick granuloma in the canine is equivalent to hand washing in
the human. Affected dogs lick their wrists or hocks excessively,
over-cleaning or over grooming themselves until the skin in
these regions is ulcerated. For years, no one knew why dogs
engaged in this pointless, mindless behavior. Now, veterinarians
are seeing the OCD link and with this understanding are able to
treat the condition much more effectively. Lick granuloma
primarily affects larger breeds of dogs such as Labradors,
golden retrievers, Great Danes and Dobermans. Individual
susceptibility and environmental influences are also required
for the full expression of the behavior. Affected animals are
usually anxious, sensitive, and high-strung and may give an
impression of a generalized anxiety disorder. Environmental
factors include various stresses and conflict situations,
including separation anxiety or boredom.

Fortunately, the disorder of obsession-compulsive behaviors is
not very prevalent in our beloved Shih Tzu.

This article is FREE to publish with resource box.

About The Author: Connie Limon is a Shih Tzu breeder. She
publishes a FREE weekly newsletter. Sign up at:
http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com

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