Is it Weird That I Think My Dog Has Autism - 5 Potential
Signs
Autism is something
that affects many children, but just how does this development syndrome affect
our beloved dogs and how can we spot the signs?
Often thought to be
a disorder that makes communication and social interactions difficult for
someone to develop in a similar way to someone who doesn't suffer from it.
This is displayed
in the way they deal with tasks and how they cope with different activities,
often displaying repetitive behaviours.
Before we begin, we
should comment that there are plenty of repetitive behaviours in which a dog
partakes in many times a day. Spinning and pacing for example are often just
your normal dog behaviours and should not be treated as anything to be concerned
about.
Also it is
important to state that there is still more research to be done to determine if
there is such a thing as autism in dogs, but going by the studies that do
recognise it, we have accumulated the following.
Is It Weird That I Think My Dog Has Autism - 5 Potential
Signs to Help
1) Chasing Their Tail
Often thought to be
linked with dogs that find it difficult to interact with other dogs as well as
humans, tail chasing is a sign of repetitive behaviour that is not a regular
canine trait.
One study from Moon-Fanelli et al, 2011 have recognised this
as one of the major potential signs of canine autism and found it to be
associated with trancelike behaviour as well as episodic aggression.
2) Difficulty Training
This is a potential
sign but before you link it directly to canine autism you should consider if
your dog is also found to display some of the other signs as well.
Since all dogs are
different, and like humans they learn things at different speeds this shouldn't
be a concern if your dog has not long started to be trained, or if you have
tried different methods.
But if the dog is
unenthusiastic about training and easily distracted even when a treat is
presented, this could be a sign of autism in your dog.
3) Repetitive Behaviours
One of the major
links with child autism and one that can easily be spotted. Easy to observe and
think of it as nothing, it is a difficult factor to be conclusive over this.
Sometimes it can be one of the quirks of your dog's personality and nothing to
be concerned about.
But if they
constantly make actions and seem as though they are in a trance of have a lower
than usual level of self control whilst acting out the behaviour then this
would be similar to something an autistic child might experience.
4) Impaired Social Interaction
This is where a dog
doesn't have the social etiquette that others do. This can be confused with a
lack of training and fewer manners than other dogs, so again it is important to
reiterate, diagnosing autism in canines is difficult.
Some dogs show
signs of this by shying behind their owners and not wanting to interact altogether.
If it is calm and happy whilst doing so then this is fine, it could just be
your dog being at the back of the pack and allowing you to be at the front,
however if they are nervous it is a potential sign of what some believe to be
canine autism.
5) No Interest In Playing or Exercise
This doesn't apply
to an elderly dog, or a puppy who hasn't yet learnt to fetch. This is more about the level of unwillingness to partake
in regular canine activities.
Most dogs can’t
hide their excitement at the prospect of a walk but if your dog would rather
not and shows no interest in toys or chews then this could be a sign since it
is linked to a diagnosis of a child's autism.
However, it is
possible that your dog is unwell if this is irregular behaviour for them and if
you suspect this is the case, we would advise you to consult your vet.
Conclusion
It is not weird
that you think your dog has autism, it is perfectly normal to compare similar
behaviours and traits from your dog and diagnose it within the context of human
condition.
It is important to
consider all the factors, since alone they could just part of your dogs
perfectly normal personality.
It is always good
when an owner is concerned enough about their dog to research the
possibilities. There is no real right or wrong answer as the research is still
ongoing.
Until further
research is completed, it is difficult to say for sure whether or not a dog can
have autism. If you are concerned about the behaviour, wellbeing or health of
your dog, consult your vet for further information and advice.
