The Dogs nose, knows best - Understanding Compulsive Behaviours in Dogs

Intro

If you’re reading this because your dog is spinning, pacing, licking themselves raw, chasing shadows, or stuck in the same behaviour day after day, you’re not alone. Compulsive behaviours in dogs can be confusing and worrying to live with, especially when they seem to appear out of nowhere or take over your dog’s daily life.

These behaviours can be common, but that doesn’t mean we want to accept them or hope they fade on their own. Compulsive behaviours in dogs especially herding breeds like Border Collies, Kelpies and other working types, often run much deeper than a simple quirk or a bit of excess energy.

A good example is a Kelpie working livestock. Their crouching, stalking and herding behaviours are instinctive and useful in the right environment. But take that same dog into a pet home and the behaviour can spill into unwanted outlets, such as chasing cars. Each time a car goes past, the dog crouches, stalks, then lunges — and the cycle gets reinforced.

This blog breaks down:

• What compulsive behaviours look like

• Why they happen (the physical and emotional triggers)

• Why dogs don’t grow out of them

• How dopamine reinforces the cycle

• What you can do to help your dog feel calmer and more in control

If at any point you feel your dog needs tailored support, you can book a consultation with me at DM Dog Training here:👉 Behavioural Support

Examples of compulsive behaviours

Compulsive behaviour refers to repetitive, exaggerated actions your dog feels compelled to perform. These can interrupt normal life sleeping, eating, resting, playing and can gradually take over the day.

Common examples include:

• Excessive licking or chewing (paws, flanks, tail base)

• Tail chasing or spinning

• Pacing up and down routes in the house or garden

• Fly snapping or “air biting”

• Fixation on shadows, lights, reflections or moving patterns

• Repetitive barking

• Blanket, toy or flank sucking

• Staring into one spot or “zoning out”

These behaviours vary from dog to dog, but one thing stays the same: your dog isn’t choosing them. They feel driven to repeat the behaviour.

If you're unsure whether what you're seeing is compulsive, feel free to reach out for support:👉 Contact DM Dog Training

Why do dogs develop compulsive behaviours?

Compulsive behaviours usually stem from something deeper. Understanding the cause is essential when building a behaviour plan.

1. Stress and anxiety

When dogs feel overwhelmed and don’t know how to cope, they often turn to repetitive behaviours for temporary relief.

Common stress triggers include:

• Changes to routine or environment

• New pets or people in the home

• Loud noises

• Conflicts between dogs

• Inconsistent training

• Lack of physical or mental stimulation

Over time, a stress response becomes a coping mechanism, then a habit, and eventually a compulsion.

2. Frustration or unmet needs

When a dog can't express natural behaviours, frustration builds. Working and herding breeds are particularly sensitive to this. If they don’t get the outlets they need, they may create their own.

This is especially common in:

• High-energy breeds

• Herding and working dogs

• Young dogs with limited exercise or structure

• 
  

Without intervention, frustration behaviours can shift into compulsions.

A great way to provide appropriate outlets is through structured play. My favourite redirection tools are Tug-E-Nuff toys, you can browse them here:👉 DM Dog Training Toys

3. Genetic predisposition

Some breeds are more prone to compulsive tendencies, such as:

• Bull Terriers and German Shepherds (spinning)

• Border Collies and Kelpies (Car/bike chasing)

• Spaniels (shadow/light chasing)

  
  

This doesn’t mean the behaviours are healthy or should be ignored. It simply means early guidance can prevent them escalating.

4. Pain or medical conditions

Dogs often show pain through behaviour long before we notice physical symptoms.

Possible medical triggers include:

• Allergies or skin irritation

• Gastrointestinal discomfort

• Joint pain or arthritis

• Neurological conditions

• Hormonal changes

• Focal seizures

A vet check is always an essential first step.

5. Learned behaviour

Sometimes compulsive behaviour is unintentionally reinforced. For example, if a dog spins and their owner regularly talks to them or soothes them, the dog may start spinning whenever they feel unsure.

This isn’t your fault, it just shows how quickly dogs learn patterns.

What does compulsive behaviour look like?

Dogs with compulsive tendencies often show:

• Behaviour continuing even when they’re tired

• Difficulty being interrupted or redirected

• Repetition in certain situations, or throughout the day

• Escalation over time

• Disruption to sleep, appetite, or interaction

If you're noticing these signs, early action can prevent the behaviour becoming more embedded.👉 Book support with DM Dog Training.

Will my dog grow out of it?

Short answer: no. Dogs don’t grow out of compulsive behaviours; the behaviours tend to grow with them.

Here’s why.

1. Self-reinforcing patterns

The more the dog repeats the behaviour, the more automatic it becomes. It strengthens like a well-worn footpath:

• Walk it once: it fades

• Walk it daily: it becomes clear

• Walk it for months: it’s permanent

Compulsions follow this system. Repetition makes them:

• faster

• more automatic

• harder to interrupt

• more frequent

2. Emotional release

These behaviours often begin because something is hard to cope with:

• Stress

• Anxiety

• Frustration

• Pain

• Overstimulation

Repeating the behaviour provides a moment of relief. The brain takes note of that relief, and the dog returns to it again and again.

3. The dopamine effect

Dopamine plays a large role in compulsive behaviour. When the dog performs the repeated action, dopamine is released. This makes the dog feel:

• calmer

• soothed

• rewarded

The brain then marks the behaviour as “helpful”, which reinforces the cycle. Over time, the behaviour becomes the dog’s go-to coping strategy, even when it’s harmful.

4. Long-term brain changes

Persistent compulsive behaviour can reshape the brain’s pathways:

• Compulsion pathways strengthen

• Calm-state pathways weaken

• The dog becomes neurologically primed to repeat the behaviour

This is why stopping a compulsive behaviour cold doesn’t work. The dog needs guidance to build new pathways instead.

5. Triggers rarely fade

Dogs mature, but stressors often increase. Without support, the behaviour intensifies alongside them.

6. Compulsions can spread

Without support, one compulsive behaviour can multiply into others, or develop into generalised anxiety.

To summarise

Compulsive behaviours in dogs do not disappear on their own because:

• Dopamine rewards the behaviour

• Repetition hard-wires it

• Stressors remain or increase

• Pain can worsen

• The behaviour provides emotional relief

• The brain adapts to it

• 
  

Dogs don’t grow out of compulsive behaviours. They grow deeper into them unless they get help.

What can you do?

With the right plan, most dogs improve. Support usually involves:

• A veterinary check to rule out pain

• A behaviour modification plan

• Predictable daily routines

• Calm, structured enrichment

• Positive reinforcement

• Stress reduction strategies

If you're struggling with compulsive behaviours, you don’t need to navigate this alone. DM Dog Training offers 1-2-1 consultations tailored to your dog’s needs.👉 Behavioural Support

If you want to redirect certain behaviours, especially in puppies or working breeds, have a look at my favourite Tug-E-Nuff toys here:👉 DM Dog Training Toys.

DM Dog Training - The dogs nose, knows best.