Does Your Dog Have Obsessive Compulsive Disorders?

If you ask most people they would probably tell you that dogs don’t have the same kind of psychological problems that people have.  However, if you’ve ever encountered a dog who obsesses about every small thing they see or do, then you probably know that dog can suffer from an obsessive compulsive disorder just as humans can.

What’s important is how you treat your dog’s compulsions and what your dog learns to expect at home.

What Is OCD?

OCD, or obsessive compulsive disorder, is something you sometimes find in a dog who is bored, stressed, or anxious.  It is usually diagnosed by behavior that is obsessive, with actions that are focused and repetitive.  The dog may do the same thing again and again without any apparent reason.

For instance, a dog may dig numerous holes for hours on end, or chew countless chew toys, or he may lick himself and traumatize his skin when he itches.  These are all obvious examples of OCD and how it can show up in your dog.  OCD not only can result in lots of health issues for your dog, but it can also have lots of different causes.

If your dog has OCD he could destroy property, or he might be obnoxious and loud, or he could become aggressive in ways that seem unpredictable and odd.

If your dog has OCD due to stress then the best thing to do is to take your dog to see a vet.  It can be difficult to handle a stressed dog and your dog could exhibit some dangerous behavior.  Your vet may need to prescribe some medication for your dog.

Boredom

In some cases OCD is caused by boredom.  If that’s the case there are some things you can do to relieve the boredom for your dog.  The first thing to do is to increase your dog’s activity level.  It’s possible that your dog isn’t spending enough time outdoors. This can lead to other health problems as well.

So, go outside with your dog.  Take some long walks together, play fetch with him, play a game of chase or tag.  If you can’t spend the time with your dog, take him to doggy daycare so he can get more exercise when you can’t be with him.  If your dog can use up more of his energy in healthy ways, he will be less likely to use his energy destroying your furniture and other objects.

Separation Anxiety

Another frequent cause of obsessive compulsive disorder in dogs is separation anxiety.  Some dogs that are separated for too long from their owner or from their family and who respond to the situation with certain kinds of behavior can start to show their anxiety in very destructive ways.

If you have a dog who usually shows compulsions like these when you are away from home then it’s probably because he feels anxious about you being gone.  It can take a long time to solve this kind of anxiety problem but it begins with you putting yourself forward as the leader of the pack in your home.

Once your position as pack leader is clear, you can start focusing on lowering your dog’s anxiety when you leave the house.  You can do this by not paying any attention to your dog when you come home, and by giving your dog a safe place to sleep such as a crate.

Does your dog have separation anxiety?  Take a look at my new special report.

Genetic Predisposition?

There is some discussion about the role a dog’s breed may play in OCD behavior.  Some breeds seem to have more compulsive behaviors than others.  For example, Bull Terriers often stick their heads under objects; Dobermans tend to lick their skin; and Shepherds will chase their tails.

However, most of the time, if you provide your dog with enough attention and exercise, don’t encourage behaviors that lead to anxiety when you leave the house or return home, and seek the help of a good dog trainer when necessary for behavior issues, you should be able to manage or eliminate OCD problems.

Does your dog suffer from OCD.  Tell us about it in the comment section below.

Until next time……

About the Author: Wayne Booth is owner of Canine Behavior Specialists in Nashville, TN.  Wayne has been teaching people how to become Professional Dog Trainers since 1990 and he is the Training Director of Canine Behavior Specialists Network, www.K9-University.com .