By Debra F. Horwitz, DVM, Diplomate ACVB Veterinary Behavior Consultations, St.
Louis, Missouri
April 13, 2010
Occasionally owners of very active dogs come to my office convinced that their
dogs are hyperactive and have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders. Do
these conditions really exist in dogs?
Hyperactivity is “a rare clinical syndrome characterized by overactivity,
attention deficits, impulsivity, high resting basal physiologic parameters and a
paradoxical calming response to amphetamines.1 Labeling these dogs as
“hyperkinetic” may be clearer; they do not habituate to normal stimuli, are
reactive, and cannot seem to rest even in calm, quiet surroundings. Within
veterinary practice, the condition appears to be rather rare. The signs noted by
owners are usually attributable to breed dispositions, conditioned behavior, or
lack of appropriate outlets for activity and exercise.
Signalment of Hyperkinesis
True hyperkinesis is often presented in adult dogs (age 3 years and older) that
have not learned to settle upon reaching social maturity. Physiologic measures
consist of increased heart and respiratory rates, low body condition score, and
failure to habituate to external stimuli. The dogs appear agitated and reactive
and cannot settle. They remain emotionally aroused in the absence of significant
stimuli or for a prolonged period upon removal of the stimuli. They may not ever
habituate to common household stimuli, such as appliances turning on and off or
people going about their normal routines.
History
It is imperative to differentiate between behaviors that are abnormal and those
that are normal but unwanted. In taking the patient’s history, you should elicit
an accurate description of unwanted behaviors; the rate and intensity of their
occurrences; and whether the dog has adequate exercise, social interaction, and
exploration. You should examine the daily management of the pet over an average
24-hour period, noting when it eats, exercises, and obtains enrichment. You
should also assess the quality of those interactions and the time the pet spends
alone or confined. The way the family responds to unwanted behaviors is
informative and often reveals deficiencies in social contact and physical
exercise, a lack of appropriate training, the use of punishment, or an
environment in which the animal has learned to use physical activity to get
attention.
Discrete descriptions of the areas of concern are essential. Owners should
clearly elucidate the behavioral pattern of the unwanted behavior (such as
jumping on visitors, barking out the window, pulling on the leash, and not
following commands). Determine any circumstances in which the dog will settle
and be calm. Ask whether hiking, vigorous walks, or playtime result in a calmer,
well-mannered dog. Ask questions about aggression directed toward family or
visitors.
Diagnosis of Hyperkinesis
Differential Diagnosis
• Normal behavior in a dog that lacks appropriate exercise, social contact,
or mental activity
• Learned behavior through rewards for unwanted behavioral patterns
• Hyperthyroidism (rare) or other medical condition, such as allergies
• Fear and anxiety conditions
• Territorial behaviors
• Cognitive decline
If any of the above seem plausible on the basis of history or physical
examination, treatment should be instituted for those problems. Details on
treatment are provided elsewhere.1–3
Diagnostic Testing
The performance of an in-hospital challenge has been the traditional method of
diagnosis. Place the animal in a quiet location and record the physical activity
(pacing, jumping, and barking) for an hour. Monitor heart rate and respiratory
rate every 15 to 30 minutes. If activity and physiologic measures remain
elevated, suspect hyperkinesis. After administering a stimulant (d-amphetamine,
0.2 mg/kg PO), place the dog in a quiet area. After at least 1 hour, return the
dog to the testing area and monitor again. If the dog is calm and the
physiologic measures are reduced, a presumptive diagnosis of hyperkinesis can be
made.
An alternative method is to perform testing in the home environment. Over
several days, the owner keeps a baseline journal of daily activities and
activity levels rated according to a previously agreed-upon scale (such as 1–5
or low–high). The owner also records the number of disruptive behaviors that
occur within 24 hours. Once the journal is completed, the owner may begin
administering methylphenidate (0.5 mg/kg PO Q 8–12 H). The targeted behaviors
are monitored, recorded, and ranked. If no improvement occurs or no unwanted
side effects develop (increased activity, heart rate, respiratory rate) within 3
days, the dose can be increased by 0.25-mg/kg increments every 3 days to a
maximum of 2 mg/kg Q 8 to 12 H until a positive response is noted or agitation
increases.3 A positive response to this regimen has been used as a presumptive
diagnosis, although owner bias may influence results.
Limitations of Testing
Even testing is fraught with distortions and inaccurate diagnosis.
Hyperactivity, impulsivity, and attention problems are common in puppies and
adolescent dogs that have no evidence of concurrent neurologic or physiologic
abnormalities. In addition, owners are often completely unaware that excitable,
persistent, and alert behaviors may be part of breed disposition4 or reinforced
by owner behavior.
A recent study showed that there was a substantial effect of age and training on
attention skills in dogs; younger dogs showed lower attention scores, and small
dogs were generally more active and impulsive than larger dogs.5
Owners who do not understand the basic precepts of training may be unable to
teach their dogs appropriate “house manners”; as a result, they become
frustrated and assume that the problem lies within the dog, not with the
environment and interactions provided. In addition, attempts to change behavior
using punishment-based techniques often result in anxiety, stress, and an
increase in attention-seeking behaviors in an attempt to decrease the stress
associated with human interactions.
The use of medication is inappropriate without a diagnosis; is not without risk,
especially in dogs without true hyperkinesis; and may result in undesirable
signs: tachypnea, tachycardia, and increased motor activity. Moreover,
inappropriate diagnosis and treatment place dogs at risk for relinquishment or
relegation to the back yard or crate, which compromises their welfare.
Treatment
Few dogs are diagnosed with true hyperkinesis. Thus, in most cases in which an
owner reports hyperactivity, the initial treatment should address the need for
adequate daily exercise and stimulation.
Encourage owners to consider the following:
• Use control devices (head halters and no-pull harnesses) to allow walks to
take place.
• Provide mental engagement using puzzles and food-dispensing toys.
• Refrain from using punishment so that anxiety associated with owner
interactions decreases.
• Identify the desired behaviors rather than focusing on what the dog must
“stop” doing.
• Attend training classes that focus on reinforcement to teach the desired
responses.
• Assess behavioral changes at 2- to 4-week intervals and schedule rechecks
as necessary.
