BEHAVIOUR
Compulsive Disorders
in Dogs
Hurly, F.A. BVSc, MPhil, MANZCVS (Veterinary Behaviour)
BehaviVet Veterinary Clinic, 68 Elm Rd, Vlakfontein, Benoni. [email protected]
Stereotypical behaviour describes repetitive, ritualised,
out-of-context locomotor behaviour, such as pacing,
circling, or shuffling.
Compulsive behaviour was introduced to capture be-
haviours related to stereotype behaviour, but that are
non-locomotor (vocalisation, licking, self-mutilation,
staring, holding an object or part of body, staring into
space). Today the term compulsive disorder is used as
a general term for all the behaviours in this class 1, 3, 6, 8.
Compulsive disorder (CD) describes a sequence of
movements usually derived from normal mainte-
nance behaviours that are performed out of context
in a repetitive, exaggerated, ritualistic and sustained
manner. They must be sufficiently pronounced to ex-
ceed what is necessary to meet its apparent goal or
such that it interferes with normal functioning 2, 3, 6.
When discussing compulsive disorders terms such as
conflict induced behaviour, frustration induced be-
haviour, displacement behaviour, redirected behav-
iour and vacuum activity are commonly used.
Below is a short definition of the terms:
• Conflict induced behaviour: The presence of two
opposing, similarly strong motivations at the same
time. This may lead to a displacement behaviour 1, 3, 8.
• Frustration induced behaviour: A situation where
an animal is motivated to perform a behaviour but
is prevented from doing so because of physical or
psychological obstacles in the environment. The re-
sultant behaviour could be a displacement behav-
iour or a redirected behaviour 1, 3, 8.
• Displacement behaviour: A normal behaviour
shown at an inappropriate time and appearing out
of context for the occasion. It may be observed in
situations of arousal when there is no appropriate
outlet for arousal 3.
• Redirected behaviour: The animal is motivated to
perform an activity but is unable to gain access to
the principle target. The behaviour is directed to an
alternative target 3.
• Vacuum activity: An animal may be highly motivated
to perform an instinctive behaviour but there is no
available outlet. These activities have no apparent
useful purpose 3 .
Issue 05 | OCTOBER 2017 | 17