The study referenced looked at thousands of dogs, asking their owners questions about impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention, the three main traits we usually associate with human ADHD.
Years ago there was a story, short movie, as I recall, named "The Parrots of San Francisco," little tired this am, so hope I'm remembering the right bird.
Anyway, there was a large group of these birds who lived in community in trees. And socially, they had similar rivalries, restrictions, interferences with each other, etc., etc., as do humans.
However, there was one who was referred to as the peacekeeper. This one was, much like those on the autism spectrum, who was much more reclusive, spending most of his time alone.
However, whenever there was a need that another bird had that he could assist with, he helped. This was like his raison d'etra to be there for others in every way he could, yet still going on with living mostly, and otherwise, in personal seclusion, sitting alone, and out of the group of the many interactive birds.
Teaching the many rising numbers of those on the autism spectrum in the late 90s, I came across this story, and it was so clearly evident to me that this orientation it was also within, at least parrots, if not many other species.
Autism spectrum individuals are here to flip the world from self-centeredness, to caring once again, for others.
I feel that dogs have the right to go out every day and run until they're tired. Go home, eat, and sleep. If a dog was impulsive, etc., after that then ADHD might be the answer. But so many dogs, especially after Covid when shut-in humans adopted/bought dogs in a frenzy, don't get to live a dog's day of activity including chasing squirrels playing with other dogs, and just doing a dog day, but spend most of their time indoors after a quick walk around the block, they might well be accused of being hyperactive. I've always had terriers, grew up with them, and as big thinkers they need to be kept occupied. Humans just need to make the time to let them live dog lives.
I endorse your context, re: ADHD humans : "most evidence leans hard toward inheritance, baseline temperament, and biology. But I also don’t think trauma plays zero role." Animals, including dogs, certainly exhibit strong inherited personality. But I think trying to diagnose ADHD characteristics in dogs almost debases humans. Was I just being like a dog when I....? Is my kid just acting like the dog? The more I consider this, the more I lean toward, give each species its due, and anthropomorphism is sweet seduction that has its limits.
Years ago there was a story, short movie, as I recall, named "The Parrots of San Francisco," little tired this am, so hope I'm remembering the right bird.
Anyway, there was a large group of these birds who lived in community in trees. And socially, they had similar rivalries, restrictions, interferences with each other, etc., etc., as do humans.
However, there was one who was referred to as the peacekeeper. This one was, much like those on the autism spectrum, who was much more reclusive, spending most of his time alone.
However, whenever there was a need that another bird had that he could assist with, he helped. This was like his raison d'etra to be there for others in every way he could, yet still going on with living mostly, and otherwise, in personal seclusion, sitting alone, and out of the group of the many interactive birds.
Teaching the many rising numbers of those on the autism spectrum in the late 90s, I came across this story, and it was so clearly evident to me that this orientation it was also within, at least parrots, if not many other species.
Autism spectrum individuals are here to flip the world from self-centeredness, to caring once again, for others.
I feel that dogs have the right to go out every day and run until they're tired. Go home, eat, and sleep. If a dog was impulsive, etc., after that then ADHD might be the answer. But so many dogs, especially after Covid when shut-in humans adopted/bought dogs in a frenzy, don't get to live a dog's day of activity including chasing squirrels playing with other dogs, and just doing a dog day, but spend most of their time indoors after a quick walk around the block, they might well be accused of being hyperactive. I've always had terriers, grew up with them, and as big thinkers they need to be kept occupied. Humans just need to make the time to let them live dog lives.
If I were a dog, I would like to be yours!
I endorse your context, re: ADHD humans : "most evidence leans hard toward inheritance, baseline temperament, and biology. But I also don’t think trauma plays zero role." Animals, including dogs, certainly exhibit strong inherited personality. But I think trying to diagnose ADHD characteristics in dogs almost debases humans. Was I just being like a dog when I....? Is my kid just acting like the dog? The more I consider this, the more I lean toward, give each species its due, and anthropomorphism is sweet seduction that has its limits.