Einige Hunde zeigen Anzeichen einer Sucht, wie eine Studie ergab. Nach Angaben von Wissenschaftlern zeigt einer von drei Hunden Anzeichen einer Spielzeugsucht. Sie fanden heraus, dass Terrier und Schäferhunde am stärksten betroffen sind, was auf eine starke genetische Komponente hinter zwanghaftem Spielverhalten hindeutet, die der menschlichen Verhaltenssucht ähnelt.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-18636-0
9 Kommentare
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As noted in the discussion section of the paper :
*This study represents the beginning of the exploration of addictive-like behaviour in domestic dogs. Convergent behavioural measures support the existence of an addictive-like behavioural phenotype in 33 of the 105 tested highly play-motivated dogs.* ***Note that we specifically sought dogs exhibiting extreme behaviour; thus, this proportion is not a reflection of the general population.*** *Perhaps not surprising, working breeds – many of which are known to have been artificially selected for high toy or predatory motivation – were overrepresented in the sample.*
It’s fun when studies prove what we have a good idea about based on anecdotal experience and evidence. That’s obviously not always the case, but I made a strong effort to vary my border collies‘ activities for the first year to avoid toy addiction as recommended by many training experts.
While it is an interesting paper, I’m just wondering. Isn’t a sample-size of 105 dogs very limited?
I hate this study. At the end of the abstract they’re suggesting using dogs as animal models for human addiction – which could lead to a lot of abuse in labs.
I do call my girl a “ball junkie”
Given the research on rats, enrichment, and addiction, I’d be really interested in more detailed „demographics“ among the included dogs eg. How much exercise, how much alone time, do they live with other dogs, etc.
So, my cattle hound mix that loves to play fetch with her ball and will intentionally „lose it“ under furniture and then engage in behavior designed to irritate me into getting the ball is actually just an addict trying to get her fix?
Checks out
My lab is very addicted to fetch. It’s definitely unhealthy… Although he is very physically healthy.
He’s almost 10 now and I think I just have to ride this out and deal with the monster I’ve created.
We walk 10k+ steps a day *and* go to the dog park 3x a day for fetch.
He does not interact with other dogs any more. Won’t even look at them at the park, as they do everything in their power to get his attention. Hes the least social dog (now) I’ve ever seen.