Does your dog seem to have a brain that never switches off? Perhaps they are constantly on the go, struggle to concentrate, become distracted by the smallest things, act without thinking and find it almost impossible to settle down. You might have tried longer walks, more exercise, obedience training and every enrichment toy you can find, yet your dog still seems to be permanently operating at 100 miles per hour.
If this sounds familiar, you might be interested to learn that researchers are increasingly investigating ADHD-like behaviours in dogs.
ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a recognised neurodevelopmental condition in humans. Dogs cannot currently be diagnosed with ADHD in exactly the same way as people, and there is no universally accepted veterinary diagnostic standard. However, research suggests that some dogs display behavioural characteristics remarkably similar to those associated with ADHD in humans. These include hyperactivity, impulsivity and difficulties with attention.
What does ADHD-like behaviour look like in dogs?
There are three main areas researchers are interested in.
Hyperactivity: Some dogs appear to be permanently on the go. They struggle to relax, constantly seek activity, find it difficult to settle even when their needs have been met and seem to have very little ability to switch off. They might follow their owners everywhere, pace around the house, demand attention or become increasingly excitable throughout the day.
Impulsivity: These dogs often act before they think. They might launch themselves towards other dogs, grab things without hesitation, jump up at people, struggle to wait, snatch food or react almost instantaneously to something happening around them. Their ability to pause and make a different choice can be particularly challenging.
Inattention: Does your dog seem to forget everything you have taught them the moment something more interesting appears? They might struggle to maintain focus, constantly switch between activities, become distracted during training or find it difficult to concentrate even when you are offering something they usually enjoy.
Of course, these behaviours can also occur in perfectly healthy dogs without any underlying neurodevelopmental condition. The important thing is to look at the overall pattern, how frequently these behaviours occur and how much they affect the dog’s ability to cope with everyday life.
What does the research tell us?
This isn’t simply a case of owners giving their dogs human labels. There is an expanding body of scientific research investigating these behaviours.
A particularly interesting study published in Translational Psychiatry in 2021 examined behavioural questionnaire data from more than 11,000 Finnish pet dogs. Researchers investigated hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention and identified several factors associated with these traits.
The researchers found that higher levels of hyperactivity and impulsivity, together with inattention, were more common in younger dogs, male dogs and dogs spending more time alone at home. They also identified differences between breeds, suggesting that genetics may play a role. Interestingly, these behaviours were associated with other behavioural characteristics, including fearfulness, aggression and compulsive behaviours.
In 2024, researchers took this work further by developing the Dog ADHD and Functionality Rating Scale (DAFRS). This questionnaire was designed to assess three areas: inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. It also considered how these behaviours affected a dog’s everyday functioning.
Another 2024 study investigated whether behavioural tests could provide a more objective assessment of ADHD-like characteristics. The researchers examined tests relating to attention, impulsivity and hyperactivity and found associations between the test results and questionnaire scores.
This is important because it suggests that canine ADHD-like behaviours are becoming a serious area of scientific investigation, rather than simply an amusing comparison between busy dogs and busy people.
It is worth remembering that research is still developing. These tools are useful research and assessment measures, not a definitive veterinary diagnosis.
Why might some dogs behave this way?
There probably isn’t one simple explanation. Current research suggests that both genetics and environmental influences may be involved.
Some dogs may have an inherited predisposition towards higher activity levels, impulsivity or difficulties regulating their behaviour. Certain breeds and individual genetic backgrounds may make these characteristics more likely.
However, the environment also matters. A dog who struggles with impulse control may find a busy household, unpredictable routines, insufficient opportunities to rest or constant exposure to exciting situations particularly difficult.
It is also important to consider whether other issues are contributing. Anxiety, fear, frustration, compulsive behaviours and unmet behavioural needs can all produce behaviours that look like hyperactivity or inattention.
Physical health should never be overlooked either. Pain, gastrointestinal discomfort, itching, sleep disturbance and other medical problems can affect a dog’s ability to relax and concentrate. If behaviour changes suddenly, or you have concerns about your dog’s health, start with your vet.
What can you do to help a dog who never seems to switch off?
One of the biggest mistakes owners make is assuming that a dog who is constantly active simply needs more exercise.
Exercise is important, of course, but continually trying to tire out an already highly stimulated dog can sometimes make matters worse. Some dogs become fitter, more excitable and increasingly dependent on activity without ever learning how to relax.
Here are some practical things worth introducing.
1. Establish a predictable routine
Dogs generally benefit from knowing what to expect. Try to establish reasonably consistent times for meals, walks, enrichment, training and rest. Predictability can help reduce uncertainty and make everyday life easier to manage.
2. Introduce appropriate food enrichment
Food enrichment can be a fantastic way of encouraging dogs to use their noses and engage in natural foraging behaviours. Try scattering food in the garden, using snuffle mats, offering food-filled toys or hiding small amounts of food around a room.
These activities provide mental engagement without necessarily increasing physical arousal. Adjust the difficulty to suit your individual dog and supervise activities where necessary.
3. Teach your dog how to relax
This is something that is often overlooked. We spend lots of time teaching dogs to sit, stay, come back and walk nicely on a lead, but how much time do we spend teaching them that doing absolutely nothing can be rewarding?
Start by recognising and rewarding calm behaviour. If your dog lies down quietly, settles on a bed or chooses to relax without demanding attention, calmly reinforce that behaviour. You can also introduce a structured relaxation programme, building up gradually and avoiding unrealistic expectations.
4. Keep training sessions short and rewarding
If your dog struggles to concentrate, asking them to work for 20 minutes is unlikely to be productive. Try very short sessions, perhaps two or three minutes initially, using rewards your dog genuinely enjoys. Work in a quiet environment before gradually introducing distractions.
Reward engagement and successful choices rather than repeatedly correcting mistakes. Give your dog plenty of opportunities to get things right.
5. Give your dog opportunities to sniff and explore
A walk doesn’t have to be about covering distance. Allowing your dog to investigate their surroundings, sniff interesting scents and explore at their own pace can provide valuable mental stimulation.
Choose environments where your dog can cope rather than constantly exposing them to situations that push them beyond their limits.
6. Protect their sleep and downtime
Rest is just as important as activity. Make sure your dog has a comfortable, quiet place where they can sleep without being disturbed. Puppies and young dogs in particular need substantial amounts of sleep, and even adult dogs need plenty of opportunities to rest.
7. Stop constantly entertaining your dog
This might sound counterintuitive, but dogs don’t need to be occupied every waking minute. If we continually provide stimulation, games and activities whenever they appear bored, we can inadvertently create a dog who struggles to entertain themselves or settle without our involvement.
Learning to relax and cope with periods of inactivity is an important life skill.
How can a canine behaviourist help?
Living with a dog who never seems to switch off can be exhausting. Owners often feel that they are constantly managing their dog’s behaviour, anticipating the next problem and trying to prevent them from getting into trouble.
It can also be frustrating when conventional training approaches don’t seem to make much difference.
This is where a more individual approach can help. Rather than simply trying to teach a dog more commands, I look at the bigger picture. What is triggering the behaviour? When does it happen? What does the dog find difficult? Are there signs of anxiety, frustration, poor impulse control or an inability to settle? Are their daily routines and activities helping or hindering them?
As a canine behaviourist, I can help you identify patterns, understand what might be driving the behaviour and develop a practical programme to improve your dog’s ability to cope with everyday life. This might involve changes to their environment, appropriate enrichment, relaxation exercises, positive reinforcement training and helping owners recognise when their dogs are becoming overstimulated.
Where there are concerns about an underlying medical or neurological issue, veterinary input is important. Behavioural support and veterinary care can work alongside one another.
The aim isn’t to turn every dog into a perfectly behaved, permanently calm companion. It’s to help them become more comfortable in their own world and make everyday life easier for both dog and owner.
Does your dog have an off switch?
If you recognise your dog in any of the behaviours described here, don’t immediately assume they have ADHD. But don’t dismiss the difficulties either.
Some dogs genuinely find regulating their excitement, attention and impulses much harder than others. Understanding why is the first step towards helping them.
And remember, a dog who struggles to settle isn’t necessarily being naughty or deliberately difficult. They may simply need a different approach.
Research references:
González-Martínez et al. (2024). New Advances in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder-like Dogs. Animals, 14(14), 2067. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14142067With Bonfire Night approaching, it’s time to talk about the damage fireworks cause to animals, what dog owners can do to help, and why we should all be pushing for changes to the law.
Sulkama et al. (2021). Canine hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention share similar demographic risk factors and behavioural comorbidities with human ADHD. Translational Psychiatry, 11, 501. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-021-01626-x
Csibra, Bunford & Gácsi (2024). Development of a human-analogue, 3-symptom domain Dog ADHD and Functionality Rating Scale (DAFRS). Scientific Reports, 14, 1808. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-51924-9