MY DOG IS STRESSED!
Does Your Dog Suffer From “Canine Compulsive Disorder”? It may sound like a fancy term, but it simply refers to a dog that keeps doing something, the same thing, over and over again, and again once it starts. Let’s put the label aside and what we have are excessive behaviors such as licking (ourselves or objects), barking, walking, tail chasing, air biting or other repetitive action.
According to Andrew Luescher, DVM, Ph.D, behaviors can include any of the following:
MOVEMENT: spinning, chasing tail, walking, jumping in place, chasing lights, etc.
ORAL – Chewing legs or feet, licking self (lick granuloma, psychogenic dermatitis), licking the air or nose, sucking the side, scratching, chewing or licking objects, eating foreign objects, biting the air and others.
AGGRESSION: growls at its own rear end, attacks its own rear end, legs or tail, attacks the food plate or other inanimate objects, etc.
VOCALIZATION: Rhythmic and repetitive barking, persistent whimpering, whining, howling, or yelling.
HALLUCINATION – Avoid imaginary / non-existent objects, look at “shadows”, etc.
The root cause of the problem, regardless of how a dog shows it, comes down to just one factor: STRESS.
The problem has two aspects: genetic and environmental.
Genetics
According to Luescher, compulsive disorder is “related to an imbalance in neurotransmitter levels or receptors and is therefore unequivocally a medical condition.” Genetically, according to Science Daily (January 7, 2010), a canine chromosome 7 locus has been identified that can cause a high risk of compulsive disorder in dogs. In some cases, tranquilizers or other calming medications may be required to address the problem, at least when the dog begins a process to address the behavior problem. In other cases, nutrients that are known to reduce stress may be helpful.
Atmosphere
From an environmental point of view, dogs often initiate these behaviors in response to something that causes them stress that they cannot “control.” And this can especially happen in dogs that are too bold or too shy. Boredom is the main culprit. Additionally, other things that can trigger such behaviors can range from a new animal, or a new child, in the home to excessive restrictions on the dog’s movements (such as being in a cage or chained for long periods of time).
Even training can cause the problem. If the dog shows stress as a result of the pressure of training, the immediate solution is to relax. And if you feel stressed during training, stop the session and do something else. Otherwise, one of the repeated behaviors: licking, barking, chewing, etc. – may begin to sneak in, especially when the dog is locked up.
Recognizing stress
As we can see, the ways that compulsive behaviors start come down largely to the dog’s disposition and the dog’s environment. Here are some key early warning signs that trouble is brewing:
When confined:
Whining / whining
Stimulation
Standing absolutely still like frozen
Panting
Salivating
When interacting with the owner or coach
Avoid eye contact
Head down
Smashing his ears back against his head
Tucking her tail between her legs
Starting to leave the zone
Shaking or shaking
Standing absolutely still like frozen
Panting
Salivating
Pulling his mouth into a “submissive smile”
Urine discharge
Roll over onto its side and lift one hind leg
Becoming aggressive if you are restrained
Do your best to look for signs like these at all times, not just when the dog is confined or trained. Doing so can give you a head start in preventing compulsive behavior from occurring.
Dealing with the Problem
How the dog’s handlers influence the situation will make a difference in whether the problem will be cured. They must first remove the dog from the root causes or stressors. Second, they must provide an active and engaging environment for the dog – exercise and engaging activities are paramount. They should stop interacting directly with the dog when the behaviors occur. Trying to intervene by reassuring the dog or punishing him, both have their consequences. Reassuring the dog in an effort to calm him down could reinforce the behavior that is occurring. Punishment, on the other hand, can increase the dog’s stress load and intensify the problem.
Owners must also establish themselves from the dog’s perspective as responsible for the environment, as the “leader” of the dog, if you will. This should be done only in the most positive way. Never try to abuse the concept of “dominance” to “show the dog who’s boss.” The best way to deal with the situation and get the message across is to interact humanely with the dog in a way that you are in charge.
One interaction, for example, is resource control. The owner establishes himself as the source of all good things in the dog’s life and shows the dog in every way that good things happen when the dog follows the owner’s good advice. For example, the owner may ask the dog to perform a basic command, such as “sit,” to gain positive reinforcement such as a treat.
Be patient
Canine compulsive disorder rarely occurs overnight, although an extremely traumatic event can trigger it. A thunderstorm, for example, has been known to initiate a licking problem in dogs that were otherwise fine prior to that event. Therefore, it will take patience to fix the problem. Once the problem has become obvious, the best thing to do is seek the advice of a veterinarian who specializes in canine behavior and is knowledgeable in the field of canine neurochemistry. A university that offers advanced degree programs in canine health and behavior can guide you to the right professional. The vet may prescribe a medication such as a benzodiazepine to manage the problem.
Your role may include 1) providing the dog with all the mental and physical stimulation his schedule can support and reducing the amount of time the dog is confined in any way. In most cases where owners have sought my help, the problem has developed from a combination of training pressure (particularly harsh methods) coupled with excessive confinement (kennel / cage / chaining). Dogs are social animals and they need to interact with their human companions. And when that relationship is positive, they are unlikely to develop canine compulsive disorder and are more likely to get over it once it has started.
– final –
References:
Luescher, A. (2000). Compulsive behavior in pets. In: Recent Advances in Companion Animal Behavior Problems, Houpt KA (Ed.). International Veterinary Information Service (www.ivis.org).
Luescher, A. Beyond Cesar Millán. http://beyondcesarmillan.weebly.com/andrew-luescher.html
By: Stephen C. Rafe
© 2010, Stephen C. Rafe. All rights reserved.
