Obsessions are unremitting and interfering thoughts that result in anxiety. Compulsions are repetitive behavioral acts used to eliminate the stress caused by obsessions. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is an all too familiar phrase when referring to a human. OCD is a very serious mental and physical disorder that disrupts every part of a person’s daily life. I can’t help but think that even though it has become the norm to refer to certain dogs as having OCD, they are perhaps only experiencing CD and not OCD.
Though the result of acting out in repetitive, purposeless, inappropriate, and sometimes self-harming activities, I’m not convinced that canine repetitive actions such as tail chasing are premeditated.
That said, would removing the triggers that cause the anxiety, that cause the compulsive behavior, eliminate the compulsion? Furthermore, how do we know what the triggers are if the compulsive behavioral reaction is unrelated?
A dog that has Compulsive Disorder will chase their tail, lights, and shadows, chew or lick objects or its paws, spin, or pace, jump in place, pull and/or eat its hair, and pica, which is eating non-edibles. Some dogs show an excessive, compulsive need to play ball or frisbee. As a trainer, I have worked with many herding dogs that exhibit shadow chasing, spinning, tail chasing, excessive barking, and light chasing.
Most times when a pet parent seeks help for canine family members, the choices are narrowed down to a trainer, or a veterinarian. Sometimes the veterinarian will recommend a trainer, canine behaviorist, and/or medication. Giving your dog medication for CD is a decision only you can make. Medication is not my field of expertise, but training is. If you go in the direction of hiring a trainer, obedience is not going to help your overwhelmed, over-stressed dog. Only a trainer educated and experienced in canine behavior will know the proper therapy methods needed to help resolve/relieve relentless and irrelevant compulsive behavior.
These are some of the “at home” exercises you can try with your dog whether they show signs of CD or not.
- If you know what the triggers are, try to eliminate them whenever possible. For example…if your dog chases light reflections or shadows, close the blinds or use sheer curtains.
- Validating an inappropriate behavior by allowing it to continue, because you think it’s amusing or coddling your dog because you’re trying to calm him, will only make it worse.
- Distract your dog when compulsive behaviors begin by taking your dog for a walk, playing ball, doing a training session, go-to-place, etc. Training is mentally stimulating for a dog.
- Physical activities are always helpful in lowering stress. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise. Agility training is a great way for a dog to get mental and physical stimulation.
- Mental stimulation works great with dogs like herding dogs that need to be “doing something” other than stressing out. Try hide-and-seek or hiding toys or treats in the house or backyard for them to find. How about playing the shell game? You know… you place a treat under one out of three cups or bowls and move them around. Then let your dog pick one. If he’s correct, he gets the treat.
- There are also many mental stimulation games on the market available for your dog. It’s fun for both of you.
- Reinforce behaviors that do not conform to CD behavior. Teach your dog to have impulse control and sit/stay before putting on his lead for a walk. Have your dog sit/stay before going out the door or wait for his food.
- Shaggy mats or mats made to slow down aggressive eaters can help by making your dog work for his food. Just throw a handful of kibbles onto it.
It’s important to have your dog evaluated by a veterinarian and re-evaluated as recommended by your vet. Your dog does not know how to behave any other way unless he is taught. Yelling and getting frustrated may be negative attention but it’s still attention to your dog. So, if your dog is CD because he is an attention seeker, you are teaching him to manipulate you for attention…whether it’s positive or negative.
If you suspect that your dog is showing signs of CD, he most likely is. Don’t ignore it. Your dog will not outgrow these unwanted stressful behaviors and he needs more help than running him until he’s tired.
