ADHD in dogs and how you can help your four-legged friend

Your dog jumps up on you before you can say “Sit”. It pulls on the lead towards every bush. During training, it looks at you for three seconds, then its attention is elsewhere again. “It has ADHD”, you think. But does that even exist?

Is there such a thing as ADHD in dogs?

The answer is complicated. ADHD as an official diagnosis does not exist in veterinary medicine. Research into this is still in its infancy.

Dr Nicholas Dodman from Tufts University was one of the few researchers to investigate whether dogs can show ADHD-like symptoms. His studies with methylphenidate (the active ingredient in Ritalin) showed improvements in some hyperactive dogs. However, the body of evidence is thin.

What we know: some dogs show behavioural patterns that resemble ADHD in humans. Whether this has the same neurological causes is unclear.

Source: Methylphenidate use in dogs with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

How do I tell if my dog is affected?

A dog with genuine ADHD-like problems shows three core symptoms: extreme restlessness, zero impulse control and massive attention problems.

This differs from normal hyperactivity. A young retriever that gets tired after off-leash exercise does not have ADHD. A dog that still cannot settle after a three-hour hike might be affected.

These signs point to a problem

• Your dog cannot relax even after intense stimulation
• The simplest commands only work sporadically, even though he knows them
• He reacts impulsively to everything: doorbell, noises, movements
• His attention span is seconds, not minutes
• Other dogs avoid him because he is too pushy

These symptoms must occur in different situations. Not only during the walk or only at home.

What can I do concretely?

If your dog is actually affected, you need a different training approach than for “normal” hyperactivity.

Training in micro-portions: Forget 10-minute sessions. Work with 30 to 60 seconds of intensive training, then take a break. Five times a day is better than once for a long time.

Structure without monotony: Fixed times for food, walks and rest. But vary the routes and activities. Affected dogs need structure and variety.

Train impulse control: Place a treat in front of it. It may only take it when you say “Okay”. Increase the waiting time from one to ten seconds. This trains its brain to brake impulses.

Mental stimulation before physical: An overexcited dog becomes even more overexcited through jogging. Start with search games, puzzle toys or scent work. Only when it is mentally tired should physical activity be added.

When should I seek professional help?

Go to the vet if your dog’s behaviour endangers it or others. Or if you see no improvement after three months of consistent training.

The vet will first rule out physical causes: thyroid problems, neurological disorders or pain can trigger hyperactivity.

A behaviourist can then show you whether it is genuine ADHD symptoms or other problems. The distinction is crucial for the right therapy.

Can medication help?

In extreme cases, medication can be sensible. But never as a panacea.

Dr Dodman’s studies showed: methylphenidate helped about 75% of the treated dogs. Side effects were loss of appetite and occasional lethargy. The dosage must be exact: too much makes the dog apathetic, too little achieves nothing.

Medication only works in combination with training. It can help the dog to concentrate. It still has to learn.

Is my dog simply under-stimulated or does he have ADHD?

An under-stimulated dog becomes calm when you provide sufficient stimulation. A dog with ADHD symptoms becomes even more worked up through inappropriate enrichment.

Test: go jogging with your dog for an hour. Is it relaxed afterwards? Then it was under-stimulated. Does it get even more excited? Then there is a deeper problem.

Which breeds are more frequently affected?

Working dogs such as Australian Shepherds, Border Collies or Jack Russell Terriers show ADHD-like symptoms more often. However, this is usually due to inappropriate keeping, not genetics.

These breeds were bred for intensive work. In a city apartment without a job, they develop problems. This is normal frustration, not ADHD.

From what age can I suspect ADHD?

Earliest from the sixth month. Before that, hyperactivity in puppies is completely normal.

Genuine suspicion arises when a dog aged 12 to 18 months still shows no impulse control and cannot concentrate. Then the juvenile phase is over, but the problem remains.

Will my dog ever become “normal”?

With the right training, affected dogs can lead a normal life. They will never become relaxed couch potatoes, but they learn to control their impulses.

This takes 6 to 12 months of consistent work. Then owners and dog have developed strategies that work in everyday life.