LAUSR

Abstract In the literature on companion animal behaviour, a diverse range of repetitive behaviours in dogs have been referred to as symptoms of an underlying canine compulsive disorder analogous to obsessive-compulsive disorder in humans. It is claimed that the two disorders are behaviourally equivalent and have the same neurophysiology and response to pharmacological treatment. These claims are largely derived from the bio-medical perspective and have neglected the cognitive-behavioural model of obsessive-compulsive disorder in humans which accounts for the development and maintenance of the disorder in terms of learning theory and cognitive processing. In order to develop a fuller understanding of canine repetitive behaviours it is important to consider all perspectives and avoid limiting therapeutic approaches. This paper reviews the claims of equivalence from the cognitive-behavioural perspective and also reviews the evidence for any pathophysiological similarities between the two disorders. The review finds that claims of behavioural equivalence are based on the superficial characteristic of repetitiveness whilst neglecting the function of the behaviour; there are no reliable or consistent indications of the same neuroanatomy or physiology being specifically associated with the two disorders and whilst both appear to show a partial response to the same pharmacotherapy, it is not clear that this response is specific to both disorders. The review concludes that although there is little research data with which to make a comprehensive comparison, the available studies suggest that abnormal repetitive behaviours in dogs are unlikely to be the equivalent of human obsessive-compulsive disorder. There is considerable scope for further investigation of the cognitive, behavioural and emotional components of canine repetitive behaviours using current and emerging methodologies.