Areas of expertise
Canine Compulsive Disorder
Canine Compulsive Disorder (CCD) is often misunderstood as just a "quirky" habit or a high-energy dog blowing off steam. In reality, these repetitive behaviours — tail chasing, light and shadow chasing, fly snapping — are often deeply rooted in your dog's genetics. For a dog with CCD, these actions aren't a choice; they are a coping mechanism.
Much like anxiety, CCD is a clinical condition that can only be diagnosed by a veterinarian. Because compulsive behaviours are often rooted in normal canine actions, determining exactly where a behaviour becomes a clinical issue can be complicated. Emily will help to determine what might be going on for your dog, and work with you and your vet to get a proper diagnosis and treatment.
When we address compulsive behaviours, the focus isn't on "stopping" the dog through corrections. Because these behaviours are often fuelled by stress, conflict, and underlying medical issues, adding more pressure to the dog only reinforces the cycle. Instead, our goal is to lower the dog's overall arousal and work on a multi-pronged approach:
Identifying Stressors
Pinpointing what triggers the compulsive cycle and managing the environment to provide the dog with much-needed relief.
Welfare Check
Evaluating the dog's daily routine to ensure their physical and mental needs are met in a way that doesn't inadvertently increase frustration.
Veterinary Support
Since CCD has a strong genetic and neurological component, working with your veterinarian is essential. Medication is often a necessary tool to help the dog's brain reach a state where they are actually capable of learning new, healthier ways to cope.
Individual Plan
Emily will use her formula to improve quality of life, easing the behaviour to provide relief to both the dog and the owner.