Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in humans, characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Dogs, as family companions living in human households, can display behaviors that resemble ADHD symptoms in children. To assess these traits, the Dog ADHD Rating Scale (Dog ARS) was originally developed in 2007.
In this replication study, Csibra and colleagues (2022) tested the psychometric properties of the Dog ARS using a large sample of 319 dogs, with additional comparisons of owner and expert (trainer) ratings. Results confirmed the factor structure of the tool, showing strong internal consistency and test–retest reliability over a 40-day period. Subscale scores for inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity remained stable, reinforcing the questionnaire’s reliability as a behavioral measure.
However, agreement between owners and trainers was only fair for inattention and moderate for hyperactivity, suggesting that owner perception alone may not be sufficient for accurate assessment. When ambiguous items were re-tested with an “I don’t know” option, three items were identified as problematic, highlighting the need for refinement.
The study concluded that while the Dog ARS is a valuable research tool for capturing ADHD-like behaviors in dogs, it cannot yet be used for diagnostic purposes. Unlike human ADHD questionnaires, the Dog ARS does not include measures of functional impairment—how these behaviors affect daily life. The authors recommend incorporating expert ratings and additional items to improve clinical utility.
This research contributes to a growing recognition that dogs can model human psychiatric disorders, offering opportunities to advance both veterinary behavioral medicine and comparative psychology.
Source: Csibra, B., Bunford, N., & Gácsi, M. (2022). Evaluating ADHD Assessment for Dogs: A Replication Study. Animals, 12. Published March 22, 2022.
