• Tend to occur in seizure - prone breeds (e.g. beagle, Bernese mountain dog, etc.) • Often develop around puberty (8 - 10 months
old); usually before 2 years of age • Discernible pre-ictal mood change (e.g. depressed, irritable or flat mood) • Behavioral event is often sudden in onset and bout - like — though bouts may cluster into a lengthy sequence •
Behavior is often extreme, irrational, apparently unprovoked • Behavioral event may be
triggered by stress or an environmental event (noise, flashing light) • May be associated with autonomic signs (salivation, urination, anal gland discharge) • Post-ictal depression / unresponsive or even aggression
However, when a partner is asked for a
behavior change request, the request itself can
trigger old memories and feelings from childhood about being «forced» to conform to someone else's idea of how to be and thus losing one's identity.