A confused fan writes Sniffer Help Me! for help:
Dear Sniffer, my dog has episodes of crazed behavior. It’s
like he goes crazy snarling, running in circles. You know. Does he have
D.M.D.D., and should I take him to a psychiatrist?
(Signed) Owner of a Crazed Dog
Sniffer responds:
Dear Pet Owner (sorry but I do not agree to the
implication of your signature).
Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (D.M.D.D) does not
affect dogs. Neither does the earlier diagnosis of what you describe (in
humans), T.D.D.D., temper dysregulation disorder and dysphoria.
As a dog, I am naturally critical of pathologizing normal dog behavior, and the industry that
capitalizes on the latest proposal to cure “imperfect” dog behavior, that is, behavior unsuited to
human expectations for dogs.
It’s like this: dogs deal with stuff (stress, bugs, human
craziness) in their own ways. What you’re likely seeing in your “crazed dog” is
a natural reaction to environmental factors (almost certainly contributed by
his/her owner) in a perfectly sane and natural way.
Remember, dogs are all natural all the time. So, when the
dog-whatever does not match the human-whatever --- whatever. Chill. Relax.
You’re dog, absent actual infirmity or swallowing a baby potato, is okay. Okay?
Okay.
Thanks for writing. I think I saved another life.
Yours in nature.
Sniffer The Maltese
P.S. This animal behavior video – although human made – may
help you.