15 Signs Your Dog Might Have Canine Dysfunctional Behavior

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While it might seem unusual to think of dogs having autism, many pet owners notice quirky, autism-like behaviors in their pets. Experts refer to these behaviors as canine dysfunctional behavior (CDB) since there’s no official diagnosis of autism in dogs. Here are 15 signs and symptoms that your dog might have CDB. If you notice any of these signs, schedule a vet visit for further evaluation.

Repetitive Behaviors

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Does your dog repeat the same actions? Perhaps pacing up and down or chasing after its tail? While amusing at first, these actions can signify something more profound. Investigate the frequency and take up the issue with the vet.

Social Withdrawal

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A once-delighted pup who thrived on interaction with you and others might now shy away from playtime and prefer solitude. In addition, it might avoid people and refuse to be petted or walked.   

Sensory Sensitivities

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Dogs can exhibit sensory sensitivities in three main areas: hearing (auditory), touch (tactile), and sight (visual). These can manifest as anxiety, agitation, or confusion when exposed to loud noises, petting, grooming, or even visual challenges. For instance, some dogs might struggle with depth perception or tracking moving objects.

Difficulty with Routine Changes

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While most dogs thrive on routine, occasional disruptions are inevitable, like postponing playtime due to bad weather. However, if your dog reacts with intense anxiety or distress to any deviation from their routine, it could be a sign of CDB.  

Unusual Communication

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Everyone knows how their dog communicates its different needs—a bark for danger, a howl for excitement, or a growl for discomfort. Suppose these patterns change (even after meeting their needs), CDB could be the reason behind it. The dog might bark or whine excessively or even remain unusually quiet.

Avoiding Eye Contact

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Eye contact is key to bonding. It’s one of the ways your dog communicates with you. For example, it gives you puppy eyes if it wants an extra treat! A dog that no longer maintains eye contact with its owners for an extended period could indicate autism-like behavior.  

Over-Attachment to Objects

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Like humans, dogs can become attached to items they love, like chewy bones, frisbees, or balls. But if this attachment is beyond the usual in that it becomes aggressive or refuses to leave without it, you should be concerned. Such an attachment is not normal and can be a symptom.

Fixation on Certain Activities

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Dogs are intelligent creatures with diverse personalities, and you’ll likely recognize the activities they truly enjoy. Yet, on the other end of the spectrum, some pups develop fixations on unpleasant acts like digging, licking, or chewing. These obsessive behaviors may be more than just bad habits.

Anxiety in New Environments

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Studies suggest that dogs process emotions similarly to humans, and new situations can overwhelm those with CDB. This may show up as anxiety, panic, or even unwarranted aggression.  

Lack of Playfulness

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For most dogs, playtime is pure joy because they get to let loose and run free. Unfortunately, for those with CDB, this enthusiasm can vanish. They may lose interest in games and toys, opting to curl up alone and avoid playful interaction. 

Unusual Eating Habits

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Pay attention to your dog’s eating habits. Monitor their portions and how they devour their food. Some may develop unusual eating patterns, such as extreme pickiness or odd food preferences. They might also eat ravenously or not eat at all. 

Extreme Focus

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Canines pay attention to their surroundings. They notice all moving objects and even track them, which is normal. However, they become odd if they hyper-focus on certain things, especially when they get into a habit of ignoring everything else around them other than the object of focus.

Difficulty Learning Commands

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Training a young pup should be straightforward, but it gets more challenging when they are older. Still, if your canine has trouble learning or following simple commands, it could signal autism-like behaviors. It typically takes four to six months to train a dog fully, so seek medical advice if it goes beyond this time.

Sudden Aggression

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Unprovoked aggression is alarming and dangerous. Dogs that show sudden aggressive behavior without clear triggers might indicate an underlying issue like CDB. The safe thing to do here is to seek a vet’s opinion and have them examine the pup for CDB or any other issue causing the aggression.

Unusual Tiredness

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A dog that has spent their day up and down, playing and hopping, deserves a nap. But something is a miss if it’s been indoors the entire day, has eaten, is fit, and still prefers sleeping instead of playing.  

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