Officially, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a human condition. People are diagnosed with it. Dogs are not. Yet many of its core features, including hyperactivity, impulsivity and distractibility, can be found in dogs.
Up to 20 per cent of dogs display ADHD-like behaviour. These are the sorts of pooches who flunk their puppy training classes because they’re too busy inspecting the instructor’s shoelaces or parkouring off the walls.
They’re loveable rogues that can be hard to train and difficult to settle. Other signs can include relentless barking, chewing and chasing, not to mention stealing things.
When symptoms like these have a negative impact on the dog’s daily life – for example, making it hard to learn new tasks or interact with their owner – then this can be considered an ADHD-like problem.
Studies have shown that not all dogs are equally likely to be affected by ADHD-like behaviour. High levels of hyperactivity and inattention are more common in dogs that are young, male and spend more time home alone.
Different breeds also vary in behavioural traits. Cairn terriers, jack russells and German shepherds receive the highest scores for impulsive behaviour, while chihuahuas, rough collies and Chinese crested dogs are the least likely to be impulsive.
So, if you have a difficult dog, remember, they’re not doing it on purpose. Just like people with ADHD, environmental and genetic idiosyncrasies mean that they just process the world a little differently.
And there are things you can do to help. Specialist behavioural therapy is one option, but often, increasing the amount of exercise and attention that your dog receives can work wonders.
Try short, frequent training sessions that use positive reinforcement (aka treats) to reward good behaviours, and calming enrichment activities, such as pâté-smeared lick mats and puzzle toys.
This article is an answer to the question (asked by Rhys Brooks, via email) 'Does my dog have ADHD?'
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