Study shows tail chasing is a canine form of OCD

New research has revealed several similarities in compulsive behaviour between dogs and humans.

The study was run by the genetics research group in Finland, led by Professor Hannes Lohi, as part of a DOGPHSYCH project, funded by the European Research Council. Their aim was to find the characteristics and environmental factors associated with tail chasing in dogs.

The study, published in the PLoS ONE journal, included almost 400 dogs of numerous breeds, with a blood sample taken from each one. Owners filled in a questionnaire about their dogs' stereotypical behaviour, including their puppyhood and current daily routines.

This is the first time that a study has linked early separation and poor care from the mother to tail chasing in dogs, though this connection has already been made with compulsive disorders in other animals.

Many behaviours can be breed specific, for example, compulsive tail chasing is most common in bull terriers and German shepherds. This emphasises that genes have a role in this type behaviour.

Tail chasers, compared to those who did not chase their tail, were more likely to suffer from other stereotypical behaviours and were more timid and afraid of loud noises. Similarly to human obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), dogs which received nutritional supplements showed less compulsive behaviour.

Other similarities to human OCD include early onset, recurrent compulsive behaviours, increased risk for developing different types of compulsions, compulsive freezing, the effects of early life experiences and sex hormones and genetic risk.

Professor Lohi said: "Stereotypical behaviour occurs in dogs spontaneously; they share the same environment with humans, and as large animals are physiologically close to humans."