If a dog Run After a Car what does it Mean

Wednesday 22 August 2012 0 comments



One the new research reveals that “Dogs that chase their tails or runs after a car could be suffering from obsessive disorders”

Dogs that chase their tails or run after cars may suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder, a study has suggested. The researchers said that tail-chasing in dogs could be used as a model for studying the genetic background of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in humans.
Tail chasing may also be influenced by environmental factors such as diet and a mother’s care, researchers from the University of Helsinki found.

The study found that tail-chasing is associated with mental health issues, alongside behaviours such as being more timid and being afraid of loud noises.

OCD in humans is characterised by recurrent, persistent thoughts, and repetitive, ritualised behaviours, such as checking and rechecking locks. The footballer David Beckham has admitted to having OCD, which makes him to rearrange hotel rooms and line up cans of soft drinks to make “everything perfect”.

The Finnish researchers surveyed the owners of 368 dogs and collected DNA samples from 181 dogs from four breeds: bull terriers, miniature bull terriers, German shepherds and Staffordshire bull terriers. The owners filled out a questionnaire about their dogs’ stereotypical behaviour, and the dogs were given a range of nutritional supplements.

The range of compulsive behaviour in dogs included recurrently chasing lights or shadows, biting or licking their own flanks, or pacing compulsively.

Many behaviours are specific to breeds, which suggests the role of genes. Compulsive tail chasing, for instance, is most common in bull terriers and German shepherds. The study, which examined dogs with differing degrees of compulsive behaviour, showed that dogs that received nutritional supplements, particularly vitamins and minerals, chased their tails less than other dogs.

Dr Katriina Tiira, of the University of Helsinki, said: “Our study does not prove an actual causal relationship between vitamins and lessened tail chasing, but interestingly similar preliminary results have been observed in human OCD.”

The study found that dogs that were neglected as puppies or separated earlier from their mothers were more likely to show obsessive-compulsive disorder. The researchers said this was the first time the connection has been made with dogs.

Tail-chasing dogs also tended to be shyer and more afraid of loud noises, while being less aggressive than the control group of dogs.
The amount of exercise the dogs were given or the number of activities they engaged in did not appear to have a connection with tail chasing.

The researchers said this could be a comfort to owners of dogs with compulsive behaviours, because owners may blame themselves or the dogs’ living environment.
Professor Hannes Lohi, a co-author of the study, which was published in the journal PLoS ONE, said dogs may turn out to be of significant use in investigating the causes of psychiatric diseases in humans.

“Different types of compulsive behaviour occur simultaneously in humans suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder or other diseases such as autism,” he said.
“[Dogs] share the same environment with humans, and as large animals are physiologically close to humans. Furthermore, their strict breed structure aids the identification of genes.”
The study is part of a larger DOGPSYCH project, funded by the European Research Council, which investigates the genetic background of anxiety disorders such as timidity, compulsive behaviour and sound sensitivity, and their similarities with corresponding human diseases.

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