Can my dog have a personality disorder

Can dogs have mental disorders? What you need to know

Living with a mental disorder is often an isolating experience. Fortunately, it has become more socially acceptable to discuss mental health, and better treatment options are available. But while the stigma surrounding mental illness has lessened its grip, mental health conditions are still prevalent. Roughly 1 in 5 Americans experiences mental health disorders, but mental disorders arent limited to humans. Have you ever wondered, Can dogs have mental disorders? The answer might surprise you.

In a 2013 study conducted by Emory University, scientists found that the areas of the dogs brain responsible for emotions are remarkably similar to ours, which means dogs can suffer from anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, commonly known as OCD. Because our dogs cant tell us when theyre upset, its up to us to recognize the signs. Well share the most common mental health issues dogs face, the dog mental illness symptoms you should look out for, how you can help your pooch at home, and when its time to contact your veterinarian.

Anxiety

Anxiety is relatively common in dogs, though it takes different forms. Lets look at the most common forms of anxiety found in dogs.

Age-related anxiety

Dogs experiencing a decline in memory, perception, and awareness may suffer from age-related anxiety, which is often associated with cognitive dysfunction syndrome. The decline resembles Alzheimers disease, which is heartbreaking for humans, who can understand whats happening to them. And its all the more confusing for dogs, as they cant understand what to expect or why its happening. Aggression, confusion, destructive behavior, and housebreaking accidents are common.

Fear-related anxiety

Some dogs experience fear-related anxiety, reacting fearfully in response to loud noises like fireworks. Barking excessively, hiding, panting, drooling, and trembling when they hear loud noises are common indicators that your dog suffers from fear-related anxiety.

Separation anxiety

Another type of anxiety frequently found in dogs is separation anxiety. Many dogs enjoy spending time with their owners, but separation anxiety is more pronounced than moping when you go away. Excessive barking, urinating and defecating inside the home, and chewing furniture are all common behaviors in dogs who fear being left home alone.

Depression

If youve recently moved or lost a member of the family, you may notice your pup wanting to spend less time playing. He may also become lethargic, experience changes in appetite, or exhibit behavioral changes. Like humans, dogs sometimes withdraw when theyre depressed, spending hours sleeping and hiding away from others.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a complex condition that may resemble anxiety or depression. Simply put, OCD in dogs is an unusual fixation on certain objects. Your dog may dig in the same spot, chew his food bowl, pace excessively, lick themselves (often causing acral lick dermatitis), or repeatedly chase his tail.

Symptoms of mental disorders in dogs

Because they cant tell us how they feel, diagnosing your pet is risky. Urinating in the home could be a symptom of depression, but your dog could also have a urinary tract infection. If you notice abnormal behavior in your pup, you should consult a veterinarian to determine the cause of the problem. Keep an eye out for the following signs:

Anxiety symptoms:

• Hiding
• Destructive behavior
• Trembling
• Excessive barking
• Diarrhea or vomiting
• Excessive grooming
• Self-harm
• Attempts to escape the home or yard
• Lethargy

Depression symptoms:

• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Refusal of water
• Sudden changes in behavior
• Avoidance of social interaction

Obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms:

• Self-harm
• Excessive tail chasing
• Excessive grooming
• Unusual, repetitive behavior
• Avoidance of social interaction

Because many of these symptoms are attributed to more than one mental health disorder, its best to let your vet diagnose your dogs symptoms. They can rule out physical causes and recommend treatment options that can put your dog back on the path to wellness.

Treating mental health problems in dogs

Once your dog has been properly diagnosed, youll be able to help him start to feel better. Ensure your pup eats a nutrient-rich diet, has access to plenty of clean water, and gets an adequate amount of exercise for his size and health limitations. A sedentary lifestyle is often a contributing factor to mental health conditions in dogs.

Its natural to worry about your dog when hes experiencing mental health issues, but you should also take precautions. Giving him too much attention may cause anxiety, so let your dog set the tone. Try not to smother him with affection when he wants to spend time on his own. Similarly, allow his likes and dislikes to lead you. If your dog chews on your shoes, get him a few high-quality toys hell enjoy chewing.

Take your pup to the vet for frequent checkups. Not only is it good for your dogs physical health, but youll also be able to keep your vet updated about any behavioral changes your dog exhibits. When in doubt, consult a professional dog trainer for help. They can help you choose the best methods for correcting your dogs behavior without worsening the problem.

Dogs are part of the family, and its our duty as pet parents to know the symptoms of mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and OCD in dogs. When you know what to look out for, youre better able to know when its time for a trip to the vet. The sooner your pup begins treatment, the sooner hell return to health and happiness.

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Anxiety and Compulsive Disorders in Dogs

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in Dogs

Compulsive disorder is characterized by a repetitious, relatively unchanging sequence of activities or movements that has no obvious purpose or function. Although the behavior is usually derived from normal maintenance behaviors (such as grooming, eating, and walking), the repetitive behavior interferes with normal behavioral functioning. It is referred to as OCD or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

The most commonly observed obsessive-compulsive behaviors are spinning, tail chasing, self-mutilation, hallucinating (fly biting), circling, fence running, hair/air biting, pica (appetite for non-food substances such as dirt, rocks or feces), pacing, staring, and vocalizing. Some dogs also show the potential for aggression.

No breed, gender or age of dog is more likely to have obsessive-compulsive disorders, although the specific type of OCD displayed may be affected by breed, such as spinning as opposed to self-mutilation. As with other anxiety disorders, onset of OCD begins early, around 12 to 24 months of age, as the dog developmentally matures (generally defined as occurring at 12 to 36 months of age in dogs). If you are observing early signs of obsessive behavior in your dog, and it is descended from a line where other dogs are affected, early intervention is critical.

Symptoms and Types

• Signs of self mutilation missing hair, raw skin, focus is commonly on the tail, forelimbs, and distal extremities
• The dogs behavior intensifies over time and cannot be interrupted even with physical restraint, increases in frequency or duration, and interferes with normal functioning
• Frequent tail chasing, especially if the tail tip is missing (however, not all dogs that tail chase will mutilate their tails)
• May be seen in young dogs, but onset is more common during social maturity; playfulness decreases with age, OCD increases
• A solitary focus may have seemed to spur the behavior (for example, chasing a mouse that the patient could not catch) - but usually no direct cause is evident
• May see self-induced injuries and lack of condition that may be associated with increased motor activity and repetitive behaviors
• Behavior worsens with time

Causes

• Illness or painful physical condition may increase a dog's anxieties and contribute to these problems
• Kenneling and confinement may be associated with spinning
• Degenerative (for example, aging and related nervous-system changes), anatomic, infectious (primarily central nervous system [CNS] viral conditions), and toxic (for example, lead poisoning) causes may lead to signs, but abnormal behavior likely is rooted in primary or secondary abnormal nervous system chemical activity

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will perform a complete physical exam on your dog. You will need to give a thorough history of your dog's health, including a background history of symptoms, any information you have about your dog's familial line, and possible incidents that might have precipitated the behavior. Your veterinarian will order a blood chemical profile, a complete blood count, an electrolyte panel and a urinalysis in order to rule out underlying physical causes or disease.

Treatment

If all of the physical tests fail to confirm a cause for the behavior, a veterinary behaviorist may be consulted. Treatment is usually conducted on an outpatient basis, however, if your dog is showing severe self-mutilation and self-induced injury, it may need to be hospitalized. Your dog will need to be protected from the environment until the anti-anxiety medications reach effective levels, which may require days or weeks of therapy, constant monitoring, stimulation, and care. Sedation may be necessary in severe cases.

Your veterinarian will prescribe anti-anxiety medication along with a behavior modification program. If possible, videotape your dog as soon as the behavior begins. A pattern may become clear. Any itchy skin diseases should be diagnosed by your veterinarian, since itchiness and pain/discomfort are related to anxiety.

Behavior modification will be geared toward teaching the dog to relax in a variety of environmental settings, and to substitute a calm, competitive, or desired behavior for the obsessive-compulsive one. Desensitization and counter conditioning are most effective when instituted early, so it is essential to begin these techniques as soon as you become aware of compulsive behaviorisms in your dog. The training may be coupled with a verbal cue that signals the dog to execute a behavior that is competitive with the abnormal one (for example, instead of circling, the patient is taught to relax and lie down with its head and neck stretched prone on the floor when it is told, head down).

Punishment should be avoided, as it can lead to greater anxiety and may make the behavior worse, or lead to the dogs being more secretive. Confinement or excessive physical restraint should also not be used to the anxiety that is provoked. Avoid bandages, collars, braces, and crates; all serve to focus the dog more on the center of its distress and will make it feel worse. If these are needed to ensure healing, they should be used for a minimal amount of time or as your veterinarian recommends.

Living and Management

Monitor behaviors via weekly videotaping and/or written logs, with times, dates, and the behavior leading up to the obsessive behavior tracked. This will provide unbiased assessments of change and help with alterations in treatment plans. Your veterinarian will schedule biannual visits with you and your dog to obtain complete blood counts, biochemistry profile and urinalysis, to be sure that the body is healthy and not contributing to your dog's anxiety or distress. Observe for vomiting, gastrointestinal distress, and rapid breathing. If these symptoms are identified, contact your veterinarian.

Medications may take several weeks to show an effect on the target behavior - the first sign of efficacy may be changes in the duration or frequency of bouts rather than total cessation of the undesired behaviors. Setting realistic expectations for change will help you manage the outcome of behavioral and medical intervention. Relapses are common and to be expected during stressful or new situations.

Dont try to reassure your pet that it does not have to spin, chew, or perform other repetitive behaviors; this inadvertently rewards the repetitive behavior. Reward the dog only when it is not engaged in behavior and is relaxed. However, the behavior should not be entirely ignored. If left untreated, these conditions almost always progress to more serious levels.

My dog has a split personality: GOOD VS EVIL

Okay, so I don't know if I'd call it a straight up split personality. But that's what it feels like.I have an eight month old neutered greyhound/lab cross who I've had since he was two months old. He's a very good dog; he was house trained early and learned to sit, shake and lie down early too. He likes strangers (although, he does jump up on them because he gets over excited) and he doesn't even mind car rides. He loves going on walks and chasing crows and he barks at threats until they're gone. He has constant access to water and is fed enough too, is played with and is walked daily and I treat him better than I treat myself, and though I barely have any money the majority of it is spent on him.My dog likes to lick and play and he'll lick someone's face or hands for minutes at a time with such enthusiasm it's like we rolled around in his food. He chases his tail and he runs around and he plays with his toys ...And then he starts jumping up on me and tries to bite me with absolutely no warning, when he was playing just a minute ago. And he viciously growls, wrinkles up his nose and continues jumping up, his jaws flailing as he tries to bite my hand and wrist and when he gets tired of that he goes for me feet and legs, growling and snapping the entire time. Oh and sometimes when I bring him into my bedroom (which he's generally fine in, he sleeps on my bed) he'll start attacking me too. Whether I'm awake or asleep. He'll start snapping and growling and diving at me with an evil expression on his cute little face, looking like he wants to cause me actual harm. I'm not afraid of him, I never cower away from him, I always try to discipline him vocally and by giving him a shove away from me when he dives at me, and holding him there until he calms down. But he doesn't calm down. He just keeps going until he gets free and can attack again. This dog can go from laying down on the end of my bed, casually licking his own paw, to diving at me and snapping in an instant. Oh, and he frequently steals things he's already been told and shown he's not allowed to steal and he runs around the round kitchen table with them, or up and down across the bed with them until I manage to bribe what he stole away from him. The stealing and destroying things has gotten to the point where I can't even let him sleep with me every night anymore - only on nights where he isn't attacking or trying to destroy my pillows. He's been doing all of this both before and after getting neutered, by the way, if anyone tries to attribute this behavior to that. He's always been like this, but it just keeps getting worse instead of better. And no, I can't afford a professional dog trainer if anyone suggests that. Most weeks I can't even afford to feed myself, so that's a definite impossibility. All I seek is advice or if anyone has had similar experiences. Come to think of it, I would call it a straight up split personality. I don't understand this dog.