What are the symptoms of autism in dogs?

2022-02-21

Autism is defined in humans as a disorder of the nervous system that features symptoms like difficulty being in social situations, understanding social cues, and behaviors, exhibiting obsessive interests, and repetitive behaviors. Dogs can exhibit similar symptoms and veterinarians call this disorder “canine dysfunctional behavior”. Sadly, we don’t have a very good understanding of the condition in dogs and veterinarians are not sure what is causing the canine dysfunctional behavior. The empirical experience shows that the condition in dogs is present from birth.

Is Autism Affecting Dogs Similarly to Humans

Studies show that canines affected by autism lack mirror neurons that their brain needs to mimic the behavior of older dogs and help the dog fit in social structures. Many veterinarians believe that dogs with canine dysfunctional behavior experience the world very similar to their human counterparts with autism. A research published on the Translational Psychiatry platform has linked elevated serum neurotensin and CRH (corticotrophin releasing hormone) levels in children with autism to tail-chasing Bull Terriers who exhibit similar behavior (obsession with objects, repetitive behavior, increased aggression, and a post-aggressive phase characterized by lethargy and lack of responsiveness).

Is Your Dog Affected by Autism?

We have very little information about canine dysfunctional behavior and putting a diagnosis on a dog is very difficult. The veterinarian society agrees that most canines affected by Autism show difficulties in socializing, they can be aggressive towards animals and people, very territorial, and exhibit obsessive behaviors like tail-chasing and mouthing. These problems always appear during the puppyhood phase and the canine dysfunctional behavior is not affected by vaccines or environmental factors.

Signs That May Suggest Autism in Your Dog

1. Anti-social behavior — most dogs that have canine dysfunctional behavior will stray away from other animals and will not seek to interact with them.

2. Lack of focus — the dog does not pay attention to you when you are outside and when you are walking them on a leash.

3. Obsessive-compulsive behaviors — this can include circling a room for long periods of time, chronic tail-chasing, obsessive teeth grinding, mouthing objects for a long time. Others pile up their toys in one place.

4. Poor reaction to stimuli — some dogs may bark, nip or yelp when they are touched. Others may not like people to touch their head and back and might respond with a reaction of pain, aggression, or fear.

5. Sensitivity to sounds — some dogs with autism are very sensitive to sounds. Unfamiliar sounds, surprising sounds, and loud sounds can put them in a state of fear and the dogs are very likely to retreat to a location they find safe which can be the space under your bed, a closet, or a hidden corner of a room.

6. Lethargy — many dogs with Autism act tired, prefer to lay down in a corner of your home and lack the motivation to interact with other animals and humans. This can be very worrying if you own a high-energy breed of dog.

How is Autism in Dogs Treated?

The dogs with the canine version of Autism responded very similarly to the same medications used on people like serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (for example — Prozac) and anticonvulsant therapies. Many affected dogs also showed significant skin issues and gastrointestinal problems were often reported. Please, note that the study mentioned above only included Bull Terriers and other breeds are likely to feature different behaviors.

If your dog has canine dysfunctional behavior and is not responding too well to your training, it does not mean you are a bad trainer or owner. You just need to adapt to your dog’s needs and nature. It is best to talk to your veterinarian to identify what may be causing severe reactions in your dog. Try to remove these triggers or minimize exposure to situations that your dog does not handle well. Dogs with anxiety react very well when they are wrapped in a blanket and hugged firmly. Others can be outfitted with a vest with soft weights to simulate physical contact and make the dog feel protected. It is best to choose a route that has fewer people and animals when you take your dog out for a walk so you reduce the stress for your dog.

Diagnosis of any canine problems should be performed by a licensed veterinarian. Veterinarians can take the steps to rule out other medical conditions before investigating potential autism. Sadly, there is no standardized treatment for dogs with autism and your veterinarian may prescribe medication that can provide relief for compulsive behaviors and suppress some symptoms.

Make a Safe Space for Your Dog

You might think your dog is afraid of everything when you care for a dog with autism. You can help your paw partner be calmer by providing a safe space for them to rest. This can be done by setting up a comfortable bed with sturdy but soft sides and placing it in a corner of your home that is usually quiet. Don’t pet your dog too much as some prefer to have minimal interaction with humans and other animals. Visiting a dog park is not recommended either. Regular exercise is a great way for you to keep your paw friend away from compulsive behavior, improve your bond and keep them busy. If you can, work with a trainer who has experience helping dogs with behavioral issues so you can learn more on how to best live with your dog and make them feel loved.

You’ve probably heard about autism spectrum disorder or ASD, and you might know that it involves people who have challenges with communication and repetitive behaviors. But have you ever wondered if it is unique to humans?

Perhaps you’ve noticed certain behavioral problems in your dog and wondered, is there autism in dogs? Is there a form of canine autism, and if so, what does that look like? As it turns out, there is a form of autism in dogs, but first, let’s get the definitions straight.

What Is Autism?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines autism spectrum disorder as a developmental disability that causes social, communication, and behavioral changes. Approximately 1 in 54 children in the United States is considered to be on the autism spectrum.

The symptoms of ASD begin in early childhood, with most diagnosed by age 2. It is possible for an adult to be diagnosed with autism as well. There are no medical tests for ASD. Instead, qualified medical professionals use behavioral screening to diagnose the problem.

The symptoms include avoiding eye contact, an inability to follow other people’s pointing cues, difficulty with social interactions, an inability to understand other people’s emotions, avoidance of physical contact, and obsessive and/or compulsive behaviors.

Autistic individuals also frequently get easily upset, particularly if something changes. They might also spin in circles or rock their body, and they can have problems with seizures, insomnia, and hyperactivity.

A diagnosis of autism is still somewhat controversial in humans, but what about dogs? Can they have a form of autism?

Is There Such a Thing as Canine Autism?

As it turns out, there is a form of canine autism called canine dysfunctional behavior, or CDB. As with humans, researchers are not certain what are the causes of autism in dogs, but it does appear to be congenital, meaning your dog is born with it.

Research into autism-like symptoms in dogs began in the 1960s. It appears that dogs with canine dysfunctional behavior lack what is referred to as mirror neurons in their brain. These mirror neurons help your dog learn social norms.

Without them, a dog is not able to develop important social skills in much the same way that humans with ASD are not able to learn vital human social skills. Much of the research into autism in dogs have focused on tail-chasing behaviors in bull terriers.

In one study, the researchers found that compulsive tail-chasing was also associated with trance-like behaviors and increased aggression. Moreover, they found that these behaviors were more prevalent in male dogs. 

This research and subsequent studies have led the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists to conclude that such behaviors are, in fact, a form of autism spectrum disorder.

How Does Canine Dysfunctional Behavior Differ from Autism in Humans?

While there are similarities between human autism and canine dysfunctional behavior, there are also some differences. For one, it doesn’t appear that CDB has a spectrum like ASD, though that can be difficult to ascertain.

Mainly, veterinarians have to rely on comparing what is considered normal behavior with what is seen as abnormal. They are able to diagnose canine dysfunctional behavior based on repetitive, compulsive behaviors and impaired social interaction. Of course, they like to rule out any other medical conditions before they arrive at this diagnosis.

Dogs with canine dysfunctional behavior exhibit several autism-like behaviors such as antisocial behavior. They might not, for example, be able to pay attention to you when you’re on walks, during playtime, or when they’re being fed. They also might not want to interact with other dogs.

Communication, Stimuli Response, and OCD

Similarly, they often exhibit signs of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). These can include obsessive tail-chasing, circling, chewing, or teeth grinding. Some dogs will even line up toys or other objects in a way that is very similar to the way some autistic children will do. 

In both cases, this is often due to elevated levels of serum neurotensin and corticotropin-releasing hormone. These are secreted when the individual feels stressed.

One of the typical signs of autism in humans is problems with communication. Dogs with canine dysfunctional behavior might also have problems expressing their feelings. They might not, for example, wag their tail when they’re happy or put their ears back if you’re reprimanding them.

As with human autism, they may not make eye contact with you or other dogs. They also will sometimes enter what observers describe as a trance-like state. 

Both humans and dogs will also exhibit inappropriate reactions to stimuli. For dog behavior, this means yelping when they are gently touched or expressing fear or aggression when you pat their heard.

Finally, your dog might avoid new environments and situations. If something new is introduced into their environment, they might immediately retreat to what they consider a safe space, such as under the bed. 

Additionally, while it’s critical for your dog to get regular exercise, if he has dog autism, he may not be interested, even if he is a high-energy dog breed.

How Is Dog Autism Treated?

Autism in dogs is complicated as it is with humans, and there isn’t a single treatment. Your veterinarian will want to rule out any medical conditions that could be causing the behavioral symptoms. Once they have determined if your dog has canine dysfunctional behavior, there are a number of therapies they might recommend.

There are medications, such as Prozac, that can provide some relief for compulsive behaviors. These medications can also help with aggressive behaviors. It’s also important to make sure your dog has a safe space where he feels comfortable and calm.

As a good dog owner, you’ll also want to avoid situations that will induce anxiety, such as dog parks or busy streets. You don’t want to force your dog into situations that will trigger his stress.

It’s also important for your dog to get regular exercise to help reduce stress. It can be helpful to work with a dog trainer or veterinary behaviorist to use positive reinforcement to reduce and manage your dog’s canine dysfunctional behavior.

Do Vaccinations Cause Autism in Dogs?

While there has been much in the news about vaccinations causing human autism, there is no evidence this is true. There is no evidence in either dogs or humans that vaccinations have anything to do with the development of autism or canine dysfunctional behavior.

Moreover, vaccinations are well-documented to prevent many common, otherwise deadly diseases. Diseases that pose far more of a threat to your dog than getting a vaccination does.

The research in the field of veterinary medicine all points to underlying genetic predispositions that may result in a congenital condition in the presence of certain high-stress environments.

In short, although researchers cannot identify a single cause of autism in humans or dogs, there is no evidence to suggest vaccinations cause the problem. The research that claimed to show a connection has been discredited on numerous occasions. The doctor who made those false claims has been struck from the medical register and found to have had a profit motive for claiming there was a link.

Related reading: How Often Should My Dog Get Core Vaccines?

Final Thoughts

If you suspect your dog has canine dysfunctional behavior or dog autism, you should contact your veterinarian to get a physical examination. Your vet may refer you to a board-certified veterinary behaviorist who can help determine your dog’s triggers.

They will also help you find ways to reduce your dog’s stress and, therefore, his dysfunctional behavior. These can include pressure wraps, such as ThunderShirts, that help calm your dog by applying pressure to his chest, calming treats and pheromones, and backpacks you can use to carry your dog to avoid triggering stimuli when you’re walking outside.

They might also recommend you ask people not to ring your doorbell if that’s something that triggers your dog, and you’ll definitely want your dog to have a safe space. It sounds like a lot, but when you’re helping out your best friend, it’s not so much to ask.