Dog Owner Shares Reality of German Shepherd's Life With OCD: 'Sad'

An estimated 1.2 percent of U.S. adults suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), but did you know that it isn't just a human condition?

"Not many people know about OCD in dogs," Ashley, owner of a purebred German shepherd named Oakley, told Newsweek. But the owner knows all too well how difficult the canine form of OCD can be for both pets and their owners.

Oakley, who is now a year old, initially displayed signs of obsessive behavior when she was a young pup. The trigger? A seemingly harmless game with a laser pointer.

"My boyfriend thought it was cute [and] fun to make her chase it around, not realizing that this would cause long-term effects," Ashley explained.

But since the playtime with the laser pointer, Oakley has been obsessively walking around the house, staring at the floor and walls waiting for the laser to appear.

OCD in dogs is known as Canine Compulsive Disorder or CCD. It is identified by dogs exhibiting behaviors that are performed in an extreme, repetitive way that is difficult for the dog to stop and interferes with their everyday life.

Common obsessive behaviors in dogs according to the American Kenel Club include excessive sucking, licking, pacing, spinning, tail chasing and even eating dirt.

Of course, there is nothing abnormal about a dog who spins around when excited or occasionally chases their own tail, but when this behavior becomes consistent, difficult to stop, and causes a problem for the dog, it can be time to contact your veterinarian.

Researchers are still studying the common factors associated with OCD in both humans and canines, with hopes that this will lead to better treatment in both species.

While Oakley's OCD has not been officially diagnosed by a veterinarian, Ashley, who works as a veterinary technician, has consulted with fellow professionals in her field who have confirmed the condition based on videos and descriptions of Oakley's behavior.

German shepherds, known for their high intelligence and need for both mental and physical stimulation, are particularly susceptible to developing OCD-like behaviors when their needs go unmet.

"I try my best to keep her occupied and stimulated through puzzle toys, toys in general, and overall things that will just make her think rather than fixate on shadows, lights, or sometimes when things aren't even there," Ashley said.

Hoping to raise awareness of the condition, she shared a video of Oakley's behavior on her TikTok page @zeek.and.oakley, where it has been viewed 12,000 times.

"I felt inspired to share her story because not many people know about OCD in dogs and how something so small like a laser pointer can contribute to such a sad behavior," Ashley said.

"I say sad because it truly is, they're constantly trying to catch something that they'll never be able to, which in the end causes them to become frustrated," she said. "I just hope by making that video, it causes people to really think about how their actions can affect their pup's life forever."

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.