OCD Behaviors

14 July, 2011

A great description of OCD behavior from Canine Transformations Learning Center -

Obsessive compulsive behaviors can develop because the dog is bored, has too much energy to get rid of, OR they were reinforced for their obsessions by friends, family, or visitors. The OCD dog has learned to work around their owner (i.e., countercontrol) instead of work WITH the owner.

The behaviors are and can be intense attention seeking and often when going through extinction phase could get worse before getting better. Nonaversive training can go a long way in helping a dog's obsessive behaviors start to diminish.