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Canine Compulsive
Disorder (CCD) |
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Compulsive behaviour in dogs (Canine Compulsive Disorder or CCD) can begin at different times and in different situations. A lot of compulsive behaviour is linked to hyperactivity, anxiety, bad breeding or mistreatment.
Compulsive behaviours include:
• spinning
• tail chasing
• fly snapping
• shadow chasing/reflection obsession
• flank sucking/licking
• persistent barking
• Herding/chasing
Reasons for CCD
• Not enough exercise/mental stimulation. Over-excitement or impatience
• Being crated for extended periods of time and especially if there is activity happening when crated (e.g. kids running around the room or dinner being made)
• Being kept in a very small yard or on a chain
• Nervous, anxiety
• Medical reasons such as thyroid, tumours or injury
Spinning / tail chasing
Spinning and tail chasing is found in many breeds of dog, especially terrier, spaniel or collie types. These three types of breeds are all high energy working dogs, bred to have lots of energy and stamina. They are also bred to have a high intelligence so they are able to think for themselves. Due to this high energy and intelligence the dogs in these breeds need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation such as find and retrieve, learning new tricks, agility etc.
• Keeping your dog calm and relaxed
• Not getting your dog excited before you go for a walk, or crate them
• Not leaving your dog in a confined area for very long
• Feeding good nutritious food that does not have ingredients which make a dog hyper (See the recommended dry list: http://staffy-bull-terrier.com/dry_food)
• Walking your dog for the correct amount of time, also allowing free running and games on either a long line or in an enclosed/safe area
• Training your dog commands to keep its mind active
• Using distraction methods such as clapping your hands or a firm NO or the “watch me” command
Fly snapping
Fly snapping is when a dog snaps at air, as if it is trying to catch a fly. It can seem funny and quirky, but a dog that becomes obsessed with it can be potentially dangerous as the obsession may escalate to snapping at peoples limbs when they become excited.
• Teach a puppy bite inhibition from the start
• Teach any adult dogs that biting or snapping during play is unacceptable
• If you see your dog fly snapping, distract them with something more stimulating such as a bone or a game
• Correct exercise and mental stimulation helps prevent this
Shadow chasing/reflection chasing
Dogs that shadow chase usually bark or whine too. Again it can be quirky and funny but dogs have been known to pull owners into traffic, go through windows or injure people to get to a shadow or a reflection. Shadow chasing is usually linked to separation anxiety and under-exercise. The dog is effectively trying to find someone to play with, and the only person there is itself.
• Don’t leave a dog alone for long periods of time
• Exercise or let the dog out more often, to curb boredom
• Consider a play mate or day care where they may interact
• Use interactive games such as a spring pole or water sprinkler
Flank sucking / licking
Flank sucking and licking are usually done by dogs who are very insecure and anxious and they are seeking a way to calm themselves (as pups would suckle or lick mum) however it can also be pain related. Many will have left mum too early or have suffered separation in the past, but not always. Some dogs may suck or lick themselves so much they cause irritation to the skin letting infection in. Some dogs bring this obsession out in other ways such as licking windows or floors or peoples limbs.
• Check for any thorns, stones, fleas, ticks, cuts etc. in the area the dog seems to be licking
• Give the dog something to chew or lick that is long lasting such as a butcher bone or a deer antler
• Try a calming plug in, so the dog is more relaxed
• Try a thunder shirt, many dogs enjoy the feeling of being “hugged”
Persistent barking
This is probably the most irritating of a dogs obsessions, but it is usually down to not enough exercise or fear/territorial behaviour.
• Find out why the dogs is barking. Is it when people go past, when you are getting ready to go out or feed or are playing or only when it is left alone?
• If it is because of people going past, try to correct the dog teaching them “quiet.” This is usually done best with food rewards.
• If your dog is barking when excited, teaching quiet will also work as well as calm behaviour. Teach your dog that barking will not get you anywhere by stopping and turning away from your dog and ignoring them until the barking stops
• If your dog is barking out of fear asses why they are afraid. Some may bark at rain or thunder, in which case tablets from the vet will help ease their anxiety. Thunder shirts, plug-ins and doggy massages can also help. It is important to note that you should not inadvertently reinforce this behaviour by trying to “comfort” your dog. This will only make the dog believe the behaviour is okay.
• If the barking still continues some owners consider a vibration collar which sends out a vibration when the dog barks, breaking its focus on the reason it is barking. However the dog usually quickly learns to ignore this collar and it is wasted on them. Shock collars, which shock the dog with a current of electricity, should never be used on a dog for any reason.
Herding/chasing
This behaviour is usually done by collie or herding dogs. But a staffy cross or a staffy with a very high prey drive can do this too. It mostly comes in the form of running around kids or people in a circle until they are standing in one spot, they may do this with other animals too. They may chase cars, lorries, bicycles, runners or skateboarders and pull owners over.
• If your dog is a herder, first and foremost you must never let your dog be walked by anyone who is not strong enough to pull it back!
• Always be aware of your dog and don’t lapse in concentration
• If you know what triggers your dog (e.g. cars) do some work near these, preferably behind a fence where the dog can still see the cars, and work on distraction such as treats and toys or try “watch me” training.
• If your dog herds kids or animals when it gets too excited it is best to try and keep them separated if they are likely to get excited. Dogs that herd usually nip to make the “flock” do as it is told. This is not to say a herding dog is not good with children, but asses each situation individually. A group of kids playing and running around a garden will be a huge temptation, as opposed to one or two kids playing in the sand box.
• To try and curb the behaviour, work on distraction methods and possibly look into some herding type agility classes, which will train your dog to herd only when instructed
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A Staffy-bull-terrier Frequently Asked Questions |
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