Definition of OCD
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a potentially dangerous medical condition where a dog does normal canine things in an abnormally repetitive, frenzied destructive way – sometimes to the point of self-mutilation. This condition probably has a strong hereditary component. The repetitive behaviors that dogs with OCD engage in are normal in small doses. They become problematic when the dog does them ritualistically and destructively. Some of the behaviors done by dogs with OCD are barking, tail-chasing, imaginary fly-biting, spinning, digging, scratching, licking, chewing, pacing, fence-running and flank-sucking. Dogs with OCD often have a history of abuse, neglect or exposure to extremely stressful situations. Some have been confined in small areas for a long time without physical or mental stimulation. Moves, trips to the veterinarian, introduction of a new human or animal family member, loss of a family member and other stressful events can all contribute to OCD.