It can be amusing to watch a dog chase its tail. But it's no laughing matter when a dog can't seem to stop such repetitive actions. All dogs chew, bark, lick or chase their tails sometimes, but for some dogs these kinds of behaviors are signs of canine compulsive disorder. This disorder, in which dogs engage in strange, repetitive behaviors and seem unable to stop, can cause physical harm to the dog and make it difficult for an owner and pet to bond.
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Symptoms
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Canine compulsive disorder can manifest itself in a variety of ways. A dog may chase its tail repeatedly, engage in excessive licking, bark endlessly, or chew constantly. While many dogs exhibit this type of behavior to some degree, dogs with canine compulsive disorder engage in these behaviors to the point that it causes problems for the dog and its owner. Excessive licking, for example, may cause sores or bleeding on the dog's body. Other dogs become so focused on their obsessive behavior that they stop eating or drinking.
Breeds at Greatest Risk
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Dobermans are prone to excessive licking. Certain dog breeds, particularly Dobermans, German shepherds and bull terriers, are more prone to compulsive behavior, according to Andrew Luescher, director of Purdue's Animal Behavior Clinic. The way the compulsive behavior is expressed tends to be specific to certain breeds. Dobermans, for example, are prone to licking their flanks to the point of bleeding. German shepherds tend to chase their tails repetitively. Bull terriers engage in repetitive circling and spinning.
Causes
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A recent study published in the January 2010 edition of Molecular Psychiatry points to genetics as an important cause of canine compulsive disorder. Dogs with high rates of compulsive behavior were more likely to have a particular DNA sequence on the the neural cadherin-2 gene, or CDH2 gene, than those without compulsive behavior, according to a collaborative study by the Behavior Service at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, the Program in Medical Genetics at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and the Broad Institute at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Canine compulsive disorder, like obsessive compulsive disorder in humans, is considered an anxiety disorder. Emotional and physical stress may play a role in exacerbating the condition in dogs genetically prone to the disorder.
Treatment
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Reduce compulsive behavior with exercise. If your dog's compulsive behavior is a problem for you or him, your first step should be to consult a veterinarian to rule out physical illness, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. If your veterinarian suspects canine compulsive disorder, he may suggest medication, such as a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor or a tricyclic antidepressant. These drugs have been proven effective at treating compulsive and obsessive behavior in humans. Also consider consulting an animal behaviorist who can teach you how to work with your dog to minimize the compulsive behaviors and their ill effects. Finally, exercise your dog regularly. Exercise is a natural stress reliever.
Warning
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Don't make the mistake of punishing a dog for obsessive behavior. Punishment only exacerbates a dog's stress and anxiety, thereby increasing problem behaviors.
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