Obsessive compulsive behavior is fairly common in dogs. Some breeds are more susceptible than others.

What is obsessive compulsive behavior?

An obsessive compulsive act is one that is repeated and serves no obvious purpose. Usually a dog will have just one or two things that it does over and over, with little or no variability in how they do it.

 

Find out about dog obsessive compulsive behavior;

• Try to treat an obsessive compulsive behavior before it becomes fixed
• Disciplining or praising a dog does not cure obsessive compulsive behavior in a dog
• Common behaviors in canine obsessive compulsive disorder
• Common reasons for obsessive compulsive behavior in dogs
  • Lack of physical and mental stimulation
  • Anxiety or Stress
  • Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome in old dogs
  • Allergies
  • Neurological Problems
• Treatment of Canine Obsessive Compulsive Behavior
  • Talk to your vet
  • Behavior and Environment Modification
  • DAP (dog appeasing pheromone) collar (and other DAP products)
  • Medications
    • Clomipramine (Clomicalm)
    • Fluoxetine (Reconcile, Prozac)
    • Other medications

 

Try to treat an obsessive compulsive behavior before it becomes fixed

It is wise to talk to your vet about any compulsive behavior that develops. There is evidence that once dog has been doing a particular behavior for a period of time that it becomes “fixed”. After this period, every time the dog feels stress or anxiety it will be triggered to do the behavior.

Try to notice when it occurs, how long it lasts and the circumstances under which it occurs. There are a number of reasons that compulsive behavior can occur. The two most common are boredom and anxiety/stress. Occasionally the behavior changes can be due to health issues such as a brain tumor.

Disciplining or praising a dog does not cure obsessive compulsive behavior in a dog

Either giving the dog attention or punishing the dog when it is involved in repetitive behavior is not effective.

Disciplining a dog for repetitive behavior is counterproductive. The dog is already stressed and/or anxious. If the dog is then disciplined it will make it more anxious and stressed and even more likely to do an obsessive compulsive act. If the disciplining does stop the dog doing a particular repetitive behavior, the dog will often start doing a different one, plus probably do the old one too, when the owner is not there.

Unless the dog is liable to injure itself, or other occupant of the area, giving a dog attention while it is engaging in compulsive behavior can reinforce the behavior. It is important that there be no signal, intended or unintentional, that encourages the dog.

Common behaviors in canine obsessive compulsive disorder

Typical obsessive compulsive behavior in dogs can include;

• Digging
• Chasing tail
• Chasing shadows
• Chasing moving objects, such as cars
• Circling
• Licking self – more than needed for grooming
• Biting, chewing or sucking self
• Frequently licking objects
• Fence running
• Barking
• Pacing
• Attacking inanimate objects

 

Many of the above list are normal behaviors in small amounts. For instance many dogs will chase their tail once in a while, groom themselves by licking and bark at the postman. When the behavior becomes frequent and repeated over and over, it is classed as OCD.

Common reasons for obsessive compulsive behavior in dogs

Lack of physical and mental stimulation

For many dogs an obsessive behavior stems from boredom. Depending on the breed and temperament, some dogs if they are getting insufficient exercise and mental stimulation will start to have obsessive actions.

Try giving the dog more exercise and mental stimulation to see if the obsessive behavior stops or decreases. Give your dog longer, more frequent walks, play more ball, try different toys, more interaction with other dogs, more interaction with members of the household – whatever it takes to have the dog more engaged and more tired out. A tired dog is a happy relaxed dog.

Anxiety or Stress

Often when a dog is anxious or stressed, they will start to exhibit obsessive compulsive behavior. There are many reasons that dogs feel anxiety and stress.

Common causes of stress and/or anxiety include

• Separation anxiety
• Too little social interaction with owner and family
• Changes in environment
• New pet, child etc introduced into, or left home
• Specific sounds; bangs, thunderstorms, vacuum cleaner etc.

 

Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome in old dogs

Like in humans, as many dogs age they start to lose some of their mental capabilities. Recently cognitive dysfunction syndrome has been recognized in dogs. This syndrome is considered similar to Alzheimer’s and other diseases that affect processing in the brain. Some dogs with this syndrome will exhibit compulsive behaviors such as pacing and circling.

Allergies

Obsessively licking paws and/or rubbing muzzle is often due to allergies. When a dog has an allergy to something such as food, pollen, dust mites, it usually makes their skin itch. When their skin is itchy many dogs will start to lick their paws and rub their muzzle on the carpet, grass etc. See the section on dog allergies for information on symptoms, causes and treatments.

Neurological Problems

Neurological problems can occasionally account for obsessive behaviors. They are not common and often hereditary and usually develop at a very young age.

A brain tumor or more rarely a brain injury may cause compulsive behaviors.

 
 
Next page – Obsessive Compulsive Behavior – Treatments
 
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