Canine obsessive compulsive disorder how to spot it and how to treat it

Canine obsessive compulsive disorder how to spot it and how to treat it

Does your dog exhibit repetitive and quirky behaviour such
as chasing it's tail, biting the air, or licking parts of
it's body constantly? If the answer is yes, then your dogs
behaviour may be a result of an anxiety condition known as
Canine Compulsive Disorder. This article looks at the
condition known as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in
relation to dogs, how to detect it and, how best to help
your dog overcome this potentially debilitating behaviour.

It is estimated that around 2% of the American dog
population are living with Canine Compulsive Disorder. The
root cause for this condition will vary with each
individual dog, however, boredom , stress and anxiety are
the usual factors associated with OCD. Dogs that have
developed phobias, or who experience separation anxiety for
example, can often divert their stressful feelings by
behaving in ways that can become repetitive. If left
unchecked, these repetitive behaviours can become more deep
rooted and, could eventually lead to the dog developing a
'true' obsessive compulsive condition.

Not all dogs develop OCD due to boredom or stress however,
it has been found that some breeds are more predisposed to
developing compulsive behaviours due to their genetic make
up; in fact, many researches suggest that irresponsible
breeding is a primary cause of the condition in some pure
bred dogs. Dobermans, German Shepherds, Dalmations, and
some Bull Terrier breeds are a few examples. Obsessive
behaviours which seem to be common within each of these
breeds are tail chasing or spinning in German Shepherds and
Bull Terriers, and obsessive licking in Dobermans.

Obsessive behaviours that are typical of this condition in
dogs include the following:

Spinning in circles Tail chasing Snapping at the air
Constant licking of various parts of the body Obsessively
mouthing toys Freezing Incessant or rhythmic barking Self
mutilation

Not all obsessive behaviours are easy to detect for
example, a dog harmlessly chewing a toy for long peiods of
time may seem normal enough and no cause for concern,
however, the behaviour may have an underlying stress
related cause.

Treatment for this condition should begin with a thorough
examination of the dog, so as to rule out any possible
medical cause. This type of examination is best carried out
by a veternarian who specialises in diagnosing and
treating this kind of behavioural problem, if possible.
Once it has been established that OCD is the cause of the
dogs obsessive behaviour, appropriate treatment can begin.

The usual method of treatment involves combining drug and
behavioural therapy. The types of drugs used to treat
Canine Compulsive Disorder, are similar to those used in
the treatment of OCD in humans. Behavioural therapies
include reward based training used to reinforce more
desirable behaviours, desensitisation techniques designed
to gradually decrease the the dogs state of arousal in
stressful situations, and techniques that involve creating
an alternative and stimulating routine for the dog to
follow.

As with all behavioural problems it is important to treat
causes rather than symptoms, therefore, understanding and
patience will be called for, as you learn more about your
pets problem and it's cause. It is important to understand
that punishment is not only an inappropriate way to deal
with a dog who has little or no control over it's
behaviour, moreover, punishment in many cases will have the
effect of making the problem worse.

About the Author:

I have had a keen interest in canine behaviour and training
since the late 1980's. I have studied successfully for
several qualifications relating to canine psychology, care
and behaviour, up to degree level. I now live in France
with my French Bulldog Hilton. Please visit my blog for
more free information. http://www.toptrainingtips.com

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