Could my dog have canine autism? Learn to help your reactive dog

Most veterinarians choose not to diagnose dogs with canine autism, even though dogs exhibit the same signs and symptoms as humans on the autism spectrum.

Instead, veterinarians prefer to refer to the condition as dysfunctional canine behavior.

This behavior is rare in puppies and dogs. It is believed to be idiopathic, meaning the cause is unknown.

Some vets theorize the condition is congenital and inherited from a parent or relative.

Veterinarians believe a lack of mirroring neurons in the dog’s brain causes dog autism. Mirroring neurons mirror the behavior of others, thereby teaching an animal how to behave and relate to other dogs.

A dog that lacks properly working neurons rarely interacts with other people or dogs, which causes a lack of empathy.

Lately, some dog owners have been reluctant to vaccinate their dogs over concerns the shots could cause autism.

Dog owners don’t need to worry. Canine autism isn’t caused by vaccines, just as vaccines don’t cause autism in humans.

Poor socialization skills are a trait of dogs with canine autism

The most common traits of dogs with autism include anxiety and poor socialization skills.

Most dogs diagnosed with canine autism are reactive and often lack socialization skills. Reactive animals often inherit an anxiety disorder.

Puppies lacking socialization skills generally were removed from their mother and siblings during a vital developmental period.

They become reactive because they don’t know how to cope.

For example, reactive puppies or dogs who experience sensory avoidance find it emotionally painful to have their owners touch them.

Dog autism symptoms 

Puppies with canine autism show little interest in interacting with their mother or siblings. They also show little interest in playing or eating.

Other canine dysfunctional behaviors to watch for include:

• Avoidance or withdrawal: Avoiding any new experience or situation, retreating to a distance where they feel safe.
• Dysfunctional interactions: Minimal interaction with other dogs and people, including their owners. That means the dog has little or no interest in daily activities such as feeding, playing, walking, or socializing.
• Trance state: Appears to be in a daze, blankly staring at the floor, wall, or object. While dogs with canine autism tend to be still, dogs with canine ADHD tend to be hyper. ADHD in dogs causes dogs to be fearful, clingy, and needy.
• Restrictive behavior: Avoiding anything new, including social interaction, people, places, and things.
• Unable to communicate: Flat personality. Cannot communicate normal feelings such as happiness, curiosity, silliness, fear, playfulness, or anger.
  

  
  More canine autism traits

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder or dog-compulsive disorder: Compulsive, repetitive actions. For example, he walks around the borders of a room.
• Lethargic: Appears sluggish but lacks interest in participating in any activities, even in high-energy breeds.
• Compulsive organization: The dog organizes toys or treats by size, color, or shape.
• Lack of eye contact: The dog does not make eye contact with people, including the owner or other dogs. Lack of eye contact can keep the dog from bonding with its owners because dogs tend to bond with their owners through eye contact.
• Inability to cope with unexpected stimuli: Over-reaction or inappropriate reaction to loud or unexpected noises.

How to tell if your dog has autism

Pet owners often wonder if their dog’s behavior indicates something more serious, such as canine autism.

While some behaviors may seem unusual or concerning, you must understand the difference between typical dog behavior and signs of canine autism.

Typical dog behavior

Dogs, like humans, have distinct personalities and ways of expressing themselves.

They may display actions that can be misinterpreted as signs of canine autism, but they are just normal dog behaviors.

Some common examples include:

Barking: Dogs bark for various reasons—to alert their owners, express excitement or fear, or simply communicate with other dogs. Barking is a natural way for them to vocalize and can vary in intensity and frequency depending on the situation.

Chewing: Puppies chew to explore their surroundings and alleviate teething discomfort. However, even adult dogs may continue this behavior as chewing helps keep their teeth clean and strengthens jaw muscles.

Tail wagging: Contrary to popular belief, tail wagging does not always mean a dog is happy or friendly. A tail may wag out of excitement or anxiety, easily mistaken for joyfulness.

Jumping: Some breeds are known for being more exuberant than others and tend to jump on people when greeting them. This behavior can also be attributed to a lack of training rather than any underlying condition.

Symptoms of autism

Canine autism is still a relatively new concept in the veterinary world and remains largely understudied. However, some recognized symptoms could indicate your dog has this condition:

Inability to bond with humans: Dogs with autism may have difficulty forming bonds with humans and show little interest in interacting with them.

Unusual repetitive behaviors: Repetitive movements such as spinning in circles, pacing back and forth, obsessive chewing, or chronic tail-chasing can signal canine autism.

Sensory sensitivities: Dogs with autism may be hypersensitive to certain sounds, smells, or textures, which can cause them to react extremely.

Aggression: While aggression is a common issue among dogs, those with canine autism may display unprovoked and unpredictable aggressive behavior.

Difficulty adjusting to change: A dog with autism may struggle with changes in their environment or routine and become anxious or distressed.

When trying to determine if your dog’s behavior is typical or indicative of canine autism, observe their overall behavior and consult with a veterinarian.

Help your autistic dog

While there’s no treatment for dogs with autism, there are things owners can do to help their dogs.

Fear is a huge part of survival. For dogs suffering from canine autism, survival is paramount.

Dogs have learned to survive by association, both good and bad. The dog stores visual, audio, and scent associations in memory and learns to respond accordingly.

When working with dogs with autism, just like children with autism, you must be patient and train your dog to help him succeed. Autism Parenting Magazine has supplementary articles that support the positive benefits of children with autism working alongside dogs.

To help relieve your dog’s anxieties, you can:

• Help them adapt to new situations slowly, gently, and with as few demands as possible. Do not baby them! That only reinforces their primary sense that there is something to fear.
• Be consistent.
• Establish and stick to routines and schedules. Typically puppies and dogs feel secure and thrive in established routines and schedules. Puppies and dogs with dysfunctional behaviors especially need that security.
• Keep things as simple and familiar as much as possible. Reactive dogs struggle with sudden changes in residences, owners, food, furniture, or playmates. Food choice may not be as simple as for those with other types of diseases, like how switching between recommended food for dogs with anal gland problems may go smoothly. Introducing a new or different kind or brand of food to reactive dogs may be more challenging.
• Keep communication simple. Use one word whenever possible. Don’t overwhelm the dog. Dogs with canine autism don’t care what you think.
• Consider dog boarding as a safe place for dogs to stay when owners need to be away or need an occasional break.

Care for your dog

If you suspect that your dog may have canine autism or any other form of canine dysfunctional behavior, seek professional help from a veterinarian or animal behaviorist. They can assess your dog’s behavior and provide proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Here are some ways you can care for your dog with autism:

Create a safe environment

Dogs with autism may feel overwhelmed. Create a safe space for them that is free from potential triggers such as loud noises or unfamiliar people. This could be a designated room in your house or a comfortable crate where they can retreat to when feeling anxious.

Stick to a routine

Routine and structure are important for dogs with autism as it helps them feel more secure and less anxious. Set up a daily schedule for feeding, exercise, playtime and rest so that your dog knows what to expect each day.

Use positive reinforcement training

Positive reinforcement training involves rewarding desired behaviors with treats or praise instead of punishing unwanted behaviors. This method works well for dogs with autism as it promotes positive associations and builds trust between you and your pet.

Avoid overstimulation

Dogs with autism may become easily overwhelmed by too much sensory stimulation, such as loud noises or bright lights. Limiting exposure to these stimuli can help keep them calm and prevent meltdowns.

Be patient and understanding

Just like humans with autism, dogs need patience, understanding, and acceptance from their owners. Be patient when working on training exercises or introducing new experiences to your dog — take things slowly at their pace.

Learn to cope

Discovering that your beloved dog may have canine autism can be overwhelming and difficult for any dog owner to process.

You may feel a range of emotions, such as confusion, guilt, and sadness. These feelings are completely normal and valid.

Dog owners often feel confused when they first learn about canine autism. This condition is not widely known or understood, so it can be difficult to comprehend at first.

There may also be a lack of clear information available about the condition, which can leave pet owners feeling lost and uncertain about what to do next.

Dog owners also may feel guilt when they suspect their dog has canine autism.

You may start questioning yourself and wondering if you did something wrong that caused your furry friend’s condition.

Remember that canine autism is not caused by anything you did or didn’t do as a pet parent. It is a complex condition with various factors involved.

Learning about your dog’s potential diagnosis can also evoke sadness and grief. You may mourn the idea of having a “normal” dog or feel overwhelmed with the thought of managing your reactive pup’s behavior challenges.

These emotions are entirely natural, but it is crucial not to let them consume you.

Seeking support from friends, family, or even online communities dedicated to canine autism can help.

Talking to other pet parents who have been through similar experiences can provide valuable insight and reassurance.

It is also essential to practice self-care. Taking breaks from researching and worrying about your dog’s condition can help prevent burnout and allow you to recharge emotionally.

Although finding out your dog has canine autism may bring up challenging emotions, it does not change the love you have for them or their unique personality quirks that make them who they are.

Bottom line on canine autism

Can dogs have autism? The simple answer is yes; dogs can exhibit canine autism symptoms.

But that doesn’t mean those dogs can’t become pets. Puppies and dogs that exhibit signs and symptoms of canine autism tend to be aloof. So don’t expect licking, serious tail wags, or cuddles. Your dog won’t gaze into your eyes or try to catch your attention.

They may recoil from your touch, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t necessary to them. The dog most likely is content and appreciates the home you provide.

It is also good to note that autism might not be the only dysfunctional condition that dogs can have. Some symptoms could be a sign of Down syndrome. But don’t worry; this does not mean your dog is any lesser than other dogs. You can learn more about dogs with Down syndrome here, and you’ll be able to understand and diagnose their behaviors better.

A dog with canine autism cannot control this odd behavior.

With proper support, resources, and education, you can learn to help your reactive dog and create a strong bond that is based on understanding and acceptance.

Accept the dog’s quirks. Enjoy and love them in whatever way works for you and your pet.

Karen A. Soukiasian owns Good Dog! — Dog Training in St. Augustine, Florida. You can follow Karen on Facebook.

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