DOES MY DOG HAVE ADHD?

Officially, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a human condition. People are diagnosed with it. Dogs are not. Yet many of its core features, including hyperactivity, impulsivity and distractibility, can be found in dogs.

- RHYS BROOKS, VIA EMAIL

Up to 20 per cent of dogs display ADHD-like behaviour. These are the sorts of pooches who flunk their puppy training classes because they're too busy inspecting the instructor's shoelaces or parkouring off the walls. They're loveable rogues that can be hard to train and difficult to settle. Other signs can include relentless barking, chewing and chasing, not to mention stealing things. When symptoms like these have a negative impact on the dog's daily life - for example, making it hard to learn