Scientists Find a Shared Gene in Dogs With Compulsive Behavior

[TexasRanger]

Study Finds a Shared Gene in Dogs With Compulsive Behavior - NYTimes.com
So the reasons why some dogs obsessively lick,suck or chase their tails can be caused by the same gene that causes people to obsessively wash,straighten or line things up, interesting.

[FoxyWench]

now that is interesting, i wonder if similar medications can help them too!

vixies an obsessive licker...

[Doberluv]

I saw this. Isn't it interesting? It's something I've long suspected, but it's nice to know that something definative has been found. My Doberman didn't exhibit any compulsive behavior. He sucked on blankets a little....certainly not what I'd call obsessively. It was more an occassional thing. Toker, my son's mix breed sucks on blankets, but also not terribly regularly. I think she does it when she's bored. She was also an abused puppy and sometimes I think she's reverting to tiny puppy days because she'll do this as she falls asleep and also kneads with her front feet, as if she's nursing. I think, like the article said, these are normal behaviors basically, but they can become compulsive and obsessive. There are environmental factors that play into it as well. I think the gene makes it so the animal is pre-disposed to having these behaviors take on a life of their own, so to speak.

Anyhow, interesting article. Thanks for posting.

[Criosphynx]

Very nice, very nice.

I have a poorly bred dog that has debilitating anxiety and would engage in many of those compulsive behaviors. She did not respond to CC or desensitization. Medication has made her life liveable. Its nice to see a base for this as many people dismiss these sorts of things as entirely enviromental.