MODULE 3 - SECTION 5 Abnormal

Canine Behaviour Foundation Course

Module 3 - Section - 5 - Abnormal Behaviour in Dogs

Classification of Abnormal Behaviour
Behaviours Exhibited
Breed Specific

As in the section on reactive behaviour, dogs exhibiting Compulsive Disorder, or Canine Compulsive Disorder and/or Stereotypical behaviour should only be taken on as clients if you have had a lot of experience in behaviour and are an accredited behaviourist. These behaviours can be very hard to treat (although they can be treated), and you would be far better calling on a more experienced colleague to take on the case and go with them and observe and learn. It is seldom that the use of vet meds are not required for these conditions, although we have worked previously with Stereotypical conditions where the vet meds did not assist, but behaviour modification, together with an Avalon Pure Spray for Dogs did bring about the changes that were required.

Here is some information so that you can gain a good understanding of abnormal behaviours, how it can come about, the discrepancy on whether OCD or CD, and also breeds more prone to suffer from same.

1.Classification of Abnormal Behaviour

Below is some text taken from an excellent article from the Canadian Veterinary Journal Feb 2013; 54(2): 129–131. - By Diane Frank which explains the terminology and differences between OCD, CCD and Stereotypy behaviour.

“According to the veterinary literature, a stereotypy is a repetitive, constant, behavior that appears to serve no obvious purpose (1). According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) IV-TR, in humans, obsessions are recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are experienced as intrusive and inappropriate, causing marked anxiety and distress (2). Compulsions are repetitive behaviors performed in order to prevent or reduce distress (2). In psychiatry, these obsessions or compulsions cause marked distress, are time-consuming, or significantly interfere with the person’s normal routine, occupational functioning, usual social activities, or relationships. Some veterinary behaviorists do not think that animals can obsess, so rather than talking about obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD), they refer to compulsive disorders (CD) in animals (3). Compulsive disorders (CD) are defined as behaviors usually brought on by conflict but subsequently shown outside the original context. These behaviors seem abnormal because they are displayed out of context and are often repetitive, exaggerated, or sustained.

The term obsessive compulsive disorder was introduced in veterinary medicine in 1991 following a publication by Goldberger and Rapoport (4) in the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association entitled “Canine Acral lick dermatitis”.

Dr. Luescher who is a veterinary behaviourist and director of Purdue University’s Animal Behavior Clinic estimates that about 1 out of 50 dogs suffers from canine compulsive disorder.

These compulsive behaviours do not appear to serve any obvious purpose, although the general belief is that they serve to help to reduce a dog’s stress and anxiety and we certainly agree with this – also, they tend to happen after the stress has been in place for a good period of time.

These behaviours can take up hours of a dog’s day, may result in physical injury to the dog and impair the dogs ability to function in a normal manner – they can also cause a break in the bond between human and dog and it becomes harder and harder to get the dog to interrupt its activities despite distraction – this can be very upsetting and distressing to the owner when one sees their beloved running in circles for example and not even bothering to eat

What tends to occur is that initially the dog may show the repetitive behaviour when exposed to a situation that it cannot cope with. If the dog is then exposed to this situation repeatedly, the repetitive behaviour becomes ingrained. Once ingrained, what transpires is that even if the stressful triggers are removed, the dog will not stop – it will continue as if unable to control its actions. Some dogs can lose weight and even become depressed. It has been suggested that brain chemistry may be altered in some affected dogs, especially when the behaviour is extreme and been in place for a period of time.

All dogs exhibiting this behaviour must receive a full examination from a vet before treatment begins with a detailed summary of the history of behaviour.

In an article features in http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/dogs-chasing-their-tails-are-akin-to-humans-with-ocd-29931775/?no-ist= (Smithsonianmag blog) there was an interesting article by Rachel Nuwer, part of which appears below:-

“Dogs Chasing Their Tails Are Akin to Humans With OCD – linked tail-chasing with some of the same genetic and environmental factors that drive human obsessive compulsive disorders.

To investigate this universal pet occurrence, the study authors began by asking what causes some dogs to obsessively tail chase while others can sit for hours, composed and docile. They gave nearly 400 Finnish dog owners a questionnaire that asked about stereotypic behaviors noticed in their pet, aspects of their dog’s puppyhood and Fido’s daily routines. They took blood samples of each dog and evaluated the pooch’s personalities based on the answers the owners provided.

They found a few similarities between the tail-chasers that, uncannily enough, also somewhat corresponded with symptoms of many human sufferers of OCD. These traits included an early onset of recurrent compulsive behaviors and an increased risk for developing things like compulsions, acting timidly, a fear of loud noises, sometimes compulsively freezing. Also like humans, dog compulsions can manifest in different ways or in a combination of behaviors. Some dogs engage in repetitive behaviors like chasing lights or shadows, for example, or biting and licking their body repeatedly.

Most of the dogs, the authors found, started chasing their tails between the age of 3 to 6 months, or before reaching sexual maturity. The severity of the symptoms varied; some dogs chased their tail for several hours on a daily basis, while others only partook a few times a month.
The researchers discovered that the dogs that never chased their tails or those that chased their tails less tended to receive extra vitamin and mineral supplements in their food. Though they haven’t established a direct cause-effect link, the researchers plan to follow up on this initial finding to more deeply explore the relationship between nutrition and tail chasing.

Early separation from the mother also tended to predispose dogs to tail chasing, as did mother dogs who took poor care of their puppies.
Surprisingly, the amount of exercise didn’t seem to have anything to do with how often dogs chased their own tails, the researchers found, which might come as comforting news to some owners who blame too few walks or not enough play time on their dog’s behavior.

Anecdotal links between some of these traits and certain dog breeds suggests that genetics may also play a role alongside environmental factors. German Shepherds and Bull Terriers, for example, most commonly chase their own tails. The researcher’s next aim to pinpoint the gene regions connected to tail chasing.
Thanks to the seemingly apparent relationship between genes and environment that creates the perfect storm for an onslaught of compulsive tail chasing, the researchers think that dogs might serve as good animal models for studying the genetic background of OCD in humans.
“Stereotypic behavior occurs in dogs spontaneously; they share the same environment with humans, and as large animals are physiologically close to humans. Furthermore, their strict breed structure aids the identification of genes,” the researchers point out in a press release.”

3. Behaviours Exhibited

(Remember that the behaviours that are listed here are also normal behaviours for a dog – they are no longer even excessive, they have become obsessive or compulsive which is the new preferred terminology)

Barking – the barking can continue nonstop – this is when there is no perceivable trigger that has started the barking

Circling – going around and around, over and over again.

Excessive – in any behaviour at all – this condition can even manifest as excessive water drinking without the dog being thirsty or an underlying physical condition such as diabetes.

Flank Sucking – normally on the fur or skin on their flanks – this is the area above the thigh.

Fly Snapping – although this is called Fly Snapping, there is normally not a fly in sight – the dog chomps at the air as if it is catching a fly

Fence Running – the dog will run up and down next to the fence repeatedly.

Food Related - normally centered around a food bowl where a dog will have its own specific patterns focusing on eating, mostly consiss of doing the same motion over and over and then taking just one piece of food - some dogs dont take any food at all and just repeat the behaviour.

Genetic. It now seems that there is some proof that there could be a genetic component to compulsive behaviour. View this link to research further - http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/19/science/19dogs.html?_r=1&

Licking surfaces or objects - Some dogs frequently lick either a surface or an object such as an area on the floor or touch, over and over again.

Pacing – here the dog will walk or trot along a specific path in a fixed pattern. There seem to be variations with this, in that some dogs will walk in a straight line while others will walk in a circle.

Shadow Chasing – Chases of a shadow or light. You may often find that dogs that were allowed to play with a laser light when pups, will engage in this behaviour if stress levels are high.

Self – Injury – This consists of either licking or scratching. Again the behaviour is repeated continuously and often aimed at the lower part of the leg and paw. The dog will lick and eventually a sore can develop. This is known as Lick granulomata, or Acral lick dermatitis or syndrome. Especially dogs exhibiting this behaviour must be seen by the vet to ensure there is no underlying physical problems such as the dog licking in an area that may be painful or if allergy related.

Spinning – the dog will go round and round remaining in the same place.

Tail Chasing – The dog runs in tight circles trying to catch its tail. Some dogs may actually grab the tail and continue circling and damage to the tail can occur.

Toy Fixation – A dog will repeatedly push, chew, pounce on, or toss a specific toy in the air. The behaviour is repeatedly continuously and will often occur only in a certain room

Trancing – although this does not seem to fall into the compulsive category I believe it does - Trancing- Known as the “Bull terrier Ghost walk,” is a unique, common trait that has only been seen in bull terriers. Also believed to be somewhat neurological – “Trancing” is when the dog seems to go into a “trance like state” when they walk under table cloths, hanging plants, curtains or bushes in the garden in EXTREME slo-mo, almost like a robot. It seems as if the hanging objects “tickled” the back and head of the Bull terrier, who seems to enjoy it so much, that their eyes gloss over and no amount of calling its name will bring him “back to earth.

We have observed other dogs engaging in a similar behaviour, especially Bouvier and Airedale breeds, however the difference being that it is easy to distract the Bouvier and the ‘trancing’ will just happen for a few minutes and is only repeated once or twice if that – however the behaviour is exactly the same as in compulsive trancing.
- See more at: http://www.friendsofthedog.co.za/bull-terrier.html#sthash.Q4R4hnFk.dpuf

3. Breed Specific

Some breeds seem to be more predisposed to compulsive behaviour than others, and some compulsive behaviours even seem to be breed specific. The Lab, Dobie and Goldens are more prone to have compulsive licking and the Dobie seems to engage in flank sucking more often than other breeds.

The Bull Terrier is well known for spinning and tail chasing, and the GSD for tail chasing and also for pacing and running along a fence or wall. Border Collie seem to engage more in the chasing of shadows or lights.

Acral lick dermatitis (ALD) is most common in large, active breeds that have been selected to work closely with people and form strong attachments such as the GSD, Rotti and other working breeds.

There does some to be evidence of neurological involvement in some of these behaviours, which is why a neurologic examination is part of the general physical examination of any dog with a compulsive behaviour.

Some factors that could influence the behaviour:-

Injuries, especially to paw and lower leg. Even after the sore or injury has healed. This is more common in breeds such as the Collie that does tend to be more prone to obsessive behaviours than other breeds.
Environmental factors can influence the behaviour
Dogs that are tied up or confined to small spaces.
Dogs that are physically abused or punished, especially where the abuse is unpredictable.
A dog that is not used to being away from owner and sent to the kennels for a period of time. It can also be the reverse situation whereby the owner that is normally home spends considerable time away or in hospital or similar.
Dogs that have limited social interaction and are forced to spend time alone.
Changes in the dog’s life style such as a new addition to the family (either human or another animal), conflicts that arise from competition for status in the canine pack, or changes in the owners routine.
Fear of noises or other fears the dog may have.
Lack of mental and physical stimulation – pure boredom and frustration.
Age-related cognitive dysfunction can contribute to compulsive behaviour and this is usually in dogs over 6 years of age.
Separation anxiety. Where this has not been treated, compulsive behaviours may start.

Often the owner will inadvertently reinforce the behaviour by paying attention to it. It could also be that there is a component of compulsive behaviour being inherited.

Assignment

You have gone out to see a client and when you get there and start working with the owner and dog, you realize that the behaviour is definitely OCD – what would you do?