Working at the Bark & Co. pawfice, I am constantly surrounded by dogs of all shapes and sizes, which, first of all…
…and because of that, I have been exposed to wide variety of dog stimuli, dog responses and thereby, dog behavior. Again…
And considering the amount of dog toys, treat-trying, and frequent meet-pup parties we host here, some dogs can get caught up in all the excitement; a nom can all of a sudden become a neurosis, squeaking can turn psychotic, and a bone can incite a breakdown.
Okay, those examples are extreme exaggerations* for the sake of alliteration, but what I’m trying to get at (if literary devices and “raise the roof” GIFs would stop interrupting) is that I thought I understood the gist of dog obsessions, but after talking to veterinarian, Dr. Christopher Gaylord of North Slope Veterinary, I realized there’s a lot more to obsessive behavior in dogs than just bones, balls, bacon (I swear to Dog, alliteration… can I live?).
Dr. Gaylord and patient/pal, Monty.
“Obsessive compulsive disorders in dogs,” he began, “refers to a pretty specific set of behaviors. These generally manifest as repetitive, exaggerated or sustained behaviors that take place outside of the appropriate context.” Dr. Gaylord said, “Sometimes there is an actual stimulus, but the response is inappropriate and disproportionate.”
My dog, Ziggy, is agitated my squirrels. Duh.
And because we live in the city, I am scared that Ziggy, who is very obedient, could snap one day and run across a busy intersection, all because of a preoccupation with a squirrel across the street. When I asked Dr. Gaylord about this he corrected my assumption that my dog is “obsessed” with squirrels.
“Squirrel chasing, or chasing of other small furry things can also seem like an obsession but this is actually a predatory instinct. There was a time when dogs caught and ate animals to survive and some part of that instinct survives in many dogs to some degree. These instinctual behaviors are extremely hard to break and it is most likely not worth trying. It is important for people in the city to understand to what extent their dogs exhibit these behaviors and to keep that in mind when letting them off leash. Dogs with a strong predatory drive should probably not spend much time off leash, especially in unenclosed, urban areas, where there is always traffic around.”
He continued, “True obsessive compulsive disorders can be extremely challenging to deal with, and if suspected they should be identified early and treated. The best way to prevent obsessive behaviors is to keep dogs engaged and to start training early. It can be pretty tricky to figure out where to draw the line between a dog just really liking something and being obsessed. If a dog really likes a toy and plays with it for hours this is probably a good thing as they are keeping themselves occupied.
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How Laser Pointer Games Are Emotionally Damaging Your Dog
If they cannot relax when the toy is taken away, and are constantly searching for it, that could be signs of an obsessive compulsive behavior. Providing dogs with training, a variety of options, and appropriate stimulus is the best way to avoid problems. Many dogs, especially working breeds such as Border Collies, Boxers, and Bernese Mountain Dogs, have an instinctual drive to be occupied and perform tasks much of the day so they may struggle and be more likely to develop compulsive behaviors if left in an apartment all day.”
Dr. Gaylord specified the difference between play and obsession, when he talked about the trend of teasing dogs with laser pointers. “Many dogs go crazy when they are shown a laser pointer, and at first it can seem like a fun game that keeps a dog’s attention, but this type of arousal can lead to obsessive behavior. I have read reports of dogs becoming obsessed with the laser pointer to the point where they repetitively search for it or start to react whenever the owner picks up a pen or pencil because it looks like the pointer. Also, dogs can generalize this behavior and start to become obsessed with any light that moves across the room. In general anything that seems like it is making a dog overly agitated should not be done consistently, even if it seems like play.”
If you suspect your dog has an issue with obsessive behavior, there are medications for dogs that can greatly improve their anxiety and obsessive compulsions. Of course, consult with a veterinarian before giving your dog any medication. And if you are in need of a pawesome vet, and live in the New York City area, check out North Slope Veterinary in Brooklyn. Even our pawfice pups like it there!
* Bark & Co. is mindful and sensitive to every dog that steps paw through our pawfice. Also, each hooman who enters the pawfice is given a puppy-lovin pat down to be sure they understand that our dog’s physical, and mental well-being comes first. Bark & Co. also has vets, trainers, and other specialists/educators on call, in the case of an emergency. Trust us, we got this dog health and happiness thang on lock.
Featured image via and h/t to Rover
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5 Breeds One Vet Thinks Are So Popular, It’s Harming Them
Dr. Marty Becker, a “America’s Veterinarian, recently penned an article for Vetstreet.com about how he’d like to see less of. Not because he thinks they’re “bad” breeds or undeserving of homes. Quite the opposite. As he writes: “I love all pets. I wouldn’t be a veterinarian if I didn’t, and I celebrate the human-animal bond every day. I do look forward, though, to the day when these five breeds aren’t as popular. The reasons vary, but in many cases the problems are health-related, and overbreeding by puppy mills and other less-than-ideal operations has a lot to do with that. What would help these breeds is for there to be a lot less of them. A couple of them need many more adopters and far less breeding, and all would benefit from people who are well-prepared for the challenges of owning a dog, and who make sure to look to rescue, shelters and reputable breeders for their pets. Here are the breeds Dr. Becker highlights in his article, and why he thinks their popularity is bad for them.
Source: via Dr. Marty Becker Google+
Bulldogs, while adorable and loving goofballs, often have major health problems due to overbreeding. According to Dr. Marty Becker, “The exaggerated features of the Bulldog and other related breeds have produced a perfect storm of health problems that diminish the quality of life for many of these dogs, and often make them extremely expensive to own. Many need surgery to shorten their soft palate and enlarge their nostrils just so they can breathe somewhat normally. Must as I love them as individuals, as a veterinarian these problems make me hurt for these dogs and their families.”
Source: via wikimedia
Beautiful, intelligent, brave dogs, German Shepherds are nonetheless also plagued with health problems. Dr. Becker states, “A good German Shepherd is an awe-inspiring dog, and the best have served in so many ways. German Shepherds were the original service dogs for people who can’t see, and they’ve long been used for police and military work, and for search and rescue. Their popularity has been pretty steady since the days of Rin Tin Tin, but the problems with the health of the breed seem to have increased with every decade. German Shepherds are prone to epilepsy, vision problems, bleeding disorders and digestive problems, as well as bad hips and degenerative myelopathy, an incurable condition that causes progressive paralysis. The German Shepherd is the world’s first media-darling dog, and remains the classic example of the problems of popularity.”
Source: via AKC
It’s not health that is the problem with these pups. Instead, it’s overpopulation. As Dr. Becker relates, “Health usually isn’t the problem with the Chihuahua. These active, in-your-face little dogs behave much bigger than they are (but not bigger than they think they are, which is huge!), and many of them live well into their teens with regular wellness care. But as one of the two most common breeds in many shelters these days, finding homes for them all is a challenge. For that, you can thank Taco Bell and Paris Hilton, I guess, but I’d like to thank everyone who adopts them, and spays and neuters them. A little Chihuahua goes a long way, and I’ll be happier when I see a lot less of them in practice, because that means the shelters aren’t struggling to cope with the overpopulation.”
Source: via DogBreedInfo
This playful, happy breed is popular for a reason. Perhaps, too popular. Again, health problems often cut a Golden’s life short. Dr. Becker, who has a Golden Retriever, says, “We love Shakira, our 12-year-old Golden whose sunny personality, supermodel looks and ball-crazy behavior are everything people love about Goldens. But Goldens have had more than their share of breed-related health issues, the most common and most tragic is cancer. Our family has been lucky enough to escape this diagnosis, but countless other owners will be getting bad news about their dogs today, and many of those dogs will be young. Many of us veterinarians not-so-secretly call this breed “The Cancer Retriever,” which is why I’m so excited about the Golden Retriever Lifetime Project, a huge and important step in helping to save many of these dogs down the line. And many people too!”
Source: via wikimedia
These sweet, devoted dogs suffer from irresponsible breeding and overpopulation. Dr. Becker thinks they have an undeserved reputation: “I fell in love with Gracie, a Pit-Lab mix, while visiting shelters at Christmastime to give gifts to the pets there. Gracie was found as a stray puppy, and even though everyone at the shelter loved her, no one adopted her until I came along. I guess I could see beyond her ‘Plain Jane”’ exterior and her troubled legs to the beautiful heart inside…the popularity of Pit Bulls has driven a population explosion that’s out of sync with the number of homes available and suitable for these large, powerful dogs. The majority of Pitties are sweet and stable, but the unfair negative press the breed has received makes many people afraid to adopt them…more adoptions and a lot fewer litters are the answer.”
Source: via imgarcade
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Topics: advice behavior bernese boxer canine care dog health laser-pointer obsessive-behavior play science train veterinarian
The post Is Your Dog Just Playing, Or Suffering From OCD? appeared first on BarkPost.