Dog behavior

When compulsive licking hides thyroid failure

2026-08-21T08:00:40+00:00

Primary hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder in dogs that often manifests with classic metabolic and dermatological signs. However, behavioral manifestations can occur as primary or dominant clinical signs, leading to potential diagnostic challenges. This case report describes a 7-year-old castrated male Jack Russell Terrier referred for bilateral compulsive forelimb licking, social isolation, and behavioral rigidity following a change in the family system, which acted as an emotional stressor. Physical examination and routine laboratory tests revealed elevated triglycerides and hypercholesterolemia, mild normocytic normochromic anemia and hypoalbuminemia while thyroid function tests requested by the behaviorist as a diagnostic workup to frame compulsive behavior confirmed primary hypothyroidism (fT4 <3.86 pmol/L, tT4 <0.50 µg/dL, TSH 5.14 ng/mL). The signs presented have been hypothesized as an anxiety disorder secondary to endocrinopathy, with a dysregulation of multiple fundamental affective systems rather than as a set of psychiatric disorders. Treatment with sodium levothyroxine alongside a behavioral modification protocol led to biochemical normalization, complete resolution of compulsive licking, and full restoration of emotional balance within 32 weeks. This case suggests the importance of comprehensive endocrine screening in veterinary behavioral medicine when presenting signs, including sudden emotional dysregulation and compulsive behaviors.

Behavioural Rehabilitation of a White Swiss Shepherd Dog with Sensory Deprivation Syndrome: A Non-Pharmacological Case Report

2026-07-28T09:52:48+00:00

Fear-related behavioural disorders are among the leading causes of management difficulties in domestic dogs and may manifest as avoidance, hypervigilance, aggressive responses, and impaired emotional regulation. This paper describes the behavioural rehabilitation of a dog presenting with a complex clinical picture characterised by generalized fear, reactivity toward both conspecifics and unfamiliar people, and anxiety-related responses to environmental stimuli.

This article presents the case of Boo, an intact one-year-old male White Swiss Shepherd Dog raised in a household environment from two months of age, who exhibited intraspecific leash-directed aggression, fear-based aggression toward unfamiliar people, fear of children, noise-related fear, and behavioural signs consistent with Sensory Deprivation Syndrome.

In accordance with the owner's preference, the intervention did not include pharmacological treatment and relied exclusively on behavioural modification techniques. The rehabilitation programme incorporated structured daily routines, environmental management, systematic desensitization and counterconditioning, leash management, increased behavioural freedom and autonomy, problem-solving activities, and carefully controlled socialization. The intervention emphasized predictable routines, respect for the dog's individual tolerance thresholds, and gradual, controlled exposure to triggering stimuli. This approach resulted in clinically significant improvement through a structured behavioural modification programme without pharmacological support.

Behavioral changes in domestic dogs following the loss of a cohabiting conspecific or a human caregiver: an owner-reported observational study

2026-07-02T13:08:03+00:00

The loss of a socially significant individual may influence the behavior of domestic dogs, yet the determinants of these responses remain poorly understood. This study investigated owner-reported behavioral changes in dogs following the loss of either a cohabiting conspecific or a human caregiver. An anonymous online questionnaire was completed by 85 owners of surviving dogs, covering the dog, its relationship with the deceased individual, the circumstances of the loss, and post-bereavement behavioral changes. Associations were explored with contingency-table analyses (Pearson's chi-square or Fisher's exact test), and a multivariable logistic regression was fitted to identify independent predictors. Behavioral changes were reported in 71 of 85 dogs (83.5%), most frequently lethargy/apathy (46.5%), increased owner-directed contact (45.1%) and searching behavior (32.4%); when present, they generally appeared within three days. Changes were more frequent after the loss of a cohabiting dog than of a human caregiver (87.3% vs. 64.3%; p = 0.049). In the multivariable model, the type of loss (cohabiting dog vs. human caregiver: OR = 4.50, 95% CI 1.11–18.24, p = 0.036) and visual exposure to the deceased individual (not seen vs. seen: OR = 0.28, 95% CI 0.08–0.98, p = 0.046) were independently associated with behavioral changes. Shared illness and relationship duration, assessed in univariate analyses, were not significantly associated with behavioral changes and were not included in the multivariable model. Owner-reported behavioral changes after social loss were therefore common in dogs, and more likely following the loss of a conspecific and when the dog had seen the body. Given the exploratory design and reliance on owner reports, these findings warrant cautious interpretation, and prospective studies using objective measures are needed.