[ncotta01]

The Animal Behavior Clinic at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine is currently enrolling German Shepherds into a study that aims to determine factors associated with compulsive behavior and to identify any genetic underpinnings of this condition. Participants will be required to fill out a survey regarding their dog’s behavior and take their dog to a local veterinarian for blood sampling (at no expense to owner or vet). A visit to Tufts is not required. In return, we will provide written treatment information for compulsive behavior free-of-charge. Both affected and unaffected German Shepherds are needed. For more information, email me at [email protected]

Nicole Cottam, Behavior Service Coordinator
Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine

 

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

They still very much need GSD participants - both OCD and non-OCD - for this study.

No cost, all you have to do is fill out their forms, and have a blood draw done on your GSD - and Tufts will reimburse either you or your vet for that.

With all the GSDs on this site I am sure we can help! Just contact: [email protected] and she will set you up!

 

[jakeandrenee]

How do we get involved?

 

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

All you need to do is email Nicole [email protected] and she will email you a couple of surveys, the blood draw release and info for the vet, and an article on the study. She is also helpful if you have questions!

It's easy to help and can hopefully save some dogs down the line with what they learn. Thank you!

 

[Remo]

I just posted a note out to our volunteer database. Hopefully we can round up some participants for their study!

 

[MrsMiaW]

I emailed Nicole this morning to see if Thor would be eligible to participate. At 3 months old, I am not sure if he is too young for their study, but we'll see.

 

[PaddyD]

The Animal Behavior Clinic at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine is currently enrolling German Shepherds into a study that aims to determine factors associated with compulsive behavior and to identify any genetic underpinnings of this condition. Participants will be required to fill out a survey regarding their dog’s behavior and take their dog to a local veterinarian for blood sampling (at no expense to owner or vet). A visit to Tufts is not required. In return, we will provide written treatment information for compulsive behavior free-of-charge. Both affected and unaffected German Shepherds are needed. For more information, email me at [email protected]


Nicole Cottam, Behavior Service Coordinator
Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine

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Just sent email to sign up. I live nearby and my GSD had major surgery there to clean up an infected spay.

 

[Stosh]

I contacted her and Stosh has been accepted into the study. He has this thing about frisbees that may be classified as a compulsion so she wanted him to participate. He takes a frisbee, braces it against one particular tree and digs on top of the frisbee until he cuts right through it- lots of drooling, he doesn't pay attention to anything going on around him. I can distract him away from it, but he'll go back to it immediately. It's an interesting study

 

[PaddyD]

I contacted her and Stosh has been accepted into the study. He has this thing about frisbees that may be classified as a compulsion so she wanted him to participate. He takes a frisbee, braces it against one particular tree and digs on top of the frisbee until he cuts right through it- lots of drooling, he doesn't pay attention to anything going on around him. I can distract him away from it, but he'll go back to it immediately. It's an interesting study

+++++++++++++++++++++
I could make a long and boring list of my GSDs OC habits. One is taking any ball and shoving it under furniture then laying down and crying until you come and dig it out...... then starting all over...... we just love that one.

 

[Stosh]

Apparently terriers and gsds are most prone to OCD behaviors like tail chasing. All I had to do was fill out two surveys, they may have me take him for a blood test later.

 

[PaddyD]

Apparently terriers and gsds are most prone to OCD behaviors like tail chasing. All I had to do was fill out two surveys, they may have me take him for a blood test later.

My Abby doesn't qualify. She's just a little nutty, not OCD.

 

[Sigurd's Mom]

Sigurd qualified, even though I put I don't think he has any OCD behaviours. Still on the fence if I want to participate or not.

 

[MrsMiaW]

Thor hasn't exhibited any OCD behaviors according to their list, so he didn't qualify, not that I would expect him to at 3 months old.

Too bad out GSD, Rappex, wasn't still alive. He was crazy for tennis balls and frisbees. He would play with them non-stop. My husband and I would have to refuse to play with him as he would get to the pint of doing what we called "train panting", where they pant so hard it sounds like a train passing by. Gotta love the GSD

 

[onyx'girl]

+++++++++++++++++++++
I could make a long and boring list of my GSDs OC habits. One is taking any ball and shoving it under furniture then laying down and crying until you come and dig it out...... then starting all over...... we just love that one.

Karlo and Onyx do the same...I have a back scratcher to slide under the furniture to get out the toys.
It is obnoxious(or endearing) and they are obsessed with their toys, thats what makes them so much fun to live with!

 

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

For those whose dogs are not OCD, don't they still want them? My dog is not, is participating...

 

[MrsMiaW]

Nicole said that Thor, as a puppy , would only qualify if he exhibited OC behaviors. The criteria may be different for adult dogs. . .

 

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

Ah okay, for puppies.

I think they still need both OCD and non-OCD adults?

Thanks Lea for sending it around to your volunteer DL - yay!

Definitely something to send to other GSD people, post on Facebook etc.

There's really nothing to it!

 

[LisaT]

They are definitely looking for non-OCD adults - would be great if anyone is willing to help them out!

 

[vat]

I just sent an email.

 

[Montana Scout]

OCD dogs? i didn't know dogs could have that.... (eats 3 bites, barks 3 times, chases tail 3 times, poohs in 3 different places and repeat) xc:
sorry stupid joke, but kind of interesting, mines still a pup so he's a little screwy all around but thats cuz he's a pup!