Compulsive Disorders in Dogs

What is a compulsive disorder?

A compulsive disorder is a condition in which a behavior is repeated frequently enough to be disruptive to a dog’s daily routine. The repetitive behavior is performed almost automatically, as if the dog has no control over their actions. Taken in isolation, many repetitive behaviors might serve a function.

For example, a dog will normally lick their leg while grooming. However, when a dog licks repeatedly or compulsively, they can develop sores. A dog that continues to lick their paw even though licking has become painful would be diagnosed with a compulsive disorder. 

What are some common compulsive or repetitive behaviors in dogs?

In dogs, compulsive behaviors include pacing, air snapping, light or shadow chasing, freezing and staring, polydipsia (excessive drinking), sucking objects, licking surfaces, and chewing or ingesting non-food items. Self-directed repetitive behaviors include flank-sucking, tail chasing, and tail chewing. Dogs that chew their tails may cause severe damage (self-mutilation). Repeated licking of the lower limbs can damage the skin and underlying bone – a condition known as acral lick dermatitis.

There may be a genetic predisposition to perform compulsive behaviors. For example, flank sucking is most commonly seen in Doberman pinschers, spinning occurs most commonly in bull terriers, fly chasing occurs most commonly in miniature schnauzers, and acral lick dermatitis occurs in many medium- to large-breed dogs.

Can a compulsive disorder be treated?

Yes, compulsive disorders can be treated, but they are complex, with both physical and emotional components. A compulsive behavior could reflect an underlying illness and the act of engaging in repetitive behaviors can cause physical changes to the brain and body. Your pet will need a careful evaluation before treatment can be started. 

Diagnostic tests. Painful conditions, neurologic diseases, and dermatologic disorders can cause the same signs as compulsive disorders. In many cases, diagnostic tests such as radiographs (X-rays) will be recommended. Your veterinarian can then prescribe appropriate medication to relieve any pain or itchiness that has triggered the compulsive behavior, if required. 

Next, your veterinarian will delve further into your dog’s behavioral health and may refer you to a veterinary behaviorist. Personality traits, environmental factors, and underlying anxiety or frustration can all play a role in the development of compulsive disorders. 

A behavioral treatment plan can address the emotional components underlying your dog’s compulsive behavior. Treatment can be designed to reduce frustration and anxiety. A veterinary behaviorist will identify and address factors contributing to frustration or anxiety. They may introduce more productive behaviors, including tasks that are complex and require dedicated concentration and focus. 

Environmental factors are also important. All dogs need outlets for their basic behavioral needs. Provide plenty of aerobic exercise, and ask your veterinarian for guidance if you are concerned about your dog’s exercise needs and abilities. Dogs also need social time with their family: play, snuggles (if they like them), and reward-based training (tricks for treats) should be part of the daily routine.

Medication may be recommended as an additional therapy to reduce the intensity of the behavior. Repetitive behaviors can cause changes in the brain chemistry. Medication may help reverse these changes, allowing the behavioral modification to be effective. 

Importantly, do not scold your dog for engaging in repetitive behavior. Your dog is not doing this behavior on purpose — they are not able to stop on their own. Punishment introduces fear and frustration, both of which will make healing more difficult. 

Instead of scolding, try to distract your dog, if possible. Perhaps offer a food puzzle or an opportunity to play with a new toy. Over time, you can teach an alternative calming behavior, such as a quiet settle on a mat. You can then ask for that behavior to interrupt the repetitive behavior. 

What is canine acral lick dermatitis?

Acral lick dermatitis, also known as a lick granuloma, describes the skin lesion that develops when a dog repeatedly licks a specific site on its limb. Lesions can be significant and may affect the underlying surface of the bone. Large breeds such as Doberman pinschers, Great Danes, German shepherds, Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, and Irish setters are most affected.

Acral lick dermatitis may be caused by a medical condition, a behavioral illness, or both. Underlying medical abnormalities (e.g., arthritis, previous fracture, skin disorders) may initially trigger a dog to start licking. Once an area becomes inflamed, even though the irritation is due to the licking, dogs nevertheless lick even more.

Potential behavioral causes of this condition include chronic stress and recurrent emotional conflict. The behavior may start as a self-soothing displacement behavior and progress until it is difficult for the dog to stop. At that point, the diagnosis of a compulsive disorder will be applied.

It has also been suggested that this self-injurious behavior may arise when physical, cognitive, or social enrichment are inadequate. Providing a daily routine that includes sessions of social play, exercise, and training, as well as a variety of stimulating forms of object play, may help to prevent the disorder and will be included as part of your dog’s treatment plan.

Your veterinarian will also do some testing to try to identify and treat potential physical causes for your dog’s licking behavior. For example, licking can be triggered by a food sensitivity that causes an itch or by a deep infection that causes pain.

Even when the initiating cause of the dermatitis is behavioral, dogs can develop secondary infections that cause pain and itchiness (pruritus) that must also be controlled. If your dog is not fully healed, they will likely continue to lick. Medical therapy might consist of treatment with long-term antibiotics, analgesics, and anti-inflammatory agents. Bandages or Elizabethan collars may be needed to prevent your dog from accessing the wound. It is important to balance the need to protect the wound with the possibility that the products themselves may cause distress to some dogs.

What is canine flank sucking?

Flank sucking is a behavior in which the dog takes a section of flank skin into its mouth and holds the position. A genetic component for this behavior has been identified in Doberman pinschers. If the sucking does not cause lesions and does not interfere with your dog’s health or otherwise disrupt your dog from enjoying day-to-day activities, then it might be a safe, self-soothing displacement behavior and does not necessarily need to be treated. 

If the behavior begins to interfere with your dog’s ability to function, causes lesions, or is difficult to interrupt, then it would be considered a compulsive disorder and should be further evaluated so that a treatment plan can be designed. The behavior management techniques and drug treatments for compulsive disorders can also be applied to flank sucking.

Regardless of the intensity of flank sucking, it is important to screen for underlying anxiety or emotional conflict. Be sure to provide adequate enrichment. Underlying behavioral illnesses, such as anxiety, should be identified and treated. 

What is tail chasing or spinning in dogs?

Tail chasing or spinning is a behavior in which dogs circle rapidly, as though they are attempting to catch their own tail. Sometimes, they grab their tail and can injure themselves. Bull terriers often exhibit intense, rapid spinning behavior that is difficult to interrupt.

When the behavior occurs only occasionally or in specific situations and is easy to interrupt, it is usually considered a safe displacement behavior. If the behavior causes injury, occurs with minimal or no triggers, or begins to interfere with your dog’s ability to engage in normal behaviors, it would be diagnosed as a compulsive disorder.

Your veterinarian will screen for a source of underlying pain or evidence of neurologic disease. Even if your dog is a breed predisposed to tail chasing, such as a German shepherd dog, your veterinarian may still suggest a physical work-up. 

People sometimes find tail chasing entertaining, particularly when it is first noticed or when it occurs during play. Playful, active herding breeds may be predisposed to this behavior, particularly when they become frustrated while waiting for a chance to work or play. Do not encourage or reward this behavior; there is a risk it will progress and become compulsive. Instead, quietly disengage and walk away. Another option is to immediately give your playful dog a toy to enjoy.

Once underlying medical problems are treated or ruled out, behavior therapy and drug therapy for these conditions are much the same as for other compulsive disorders. If your dog does not continue to pull against you, you may try using a lead to gently interrupt the spin and redirect your dog to a more appropriate response (lie down or toy hold). Be sure to provide plenty of reward-based training, exercise, and cognitive enrichment.

Can my dog be cured?

Compulsive disorders are complex and often require life-long monitoring. Some components of the behavioral plan should continue for the life of the dog, such as providing an enriched environment with an appropriate level of physical exercise, mental stimulation, and training.