Shadow chasing must stop-he is damaging my home!

Germanshepherdlova · 01-09-2012, 07:04 PM

It seems like every behavioral problem that there is my GSD has. Here is the newest. Every evening my dog will chase shadows. He waits by one of the lamps in the living room for someone to walk by and when he does he will pounce the shadow. Annoying as this is, it was tolerable until now. Because now he has taken to biting my carpet in pursue of these shadows-he is pulling strings from it and it is looking like crap in the spot he does it to repeatedly. In addition to this if he can't catch the shadow he will get upset and randomly (not every time) but will sometimes bite my couch! I have been shopping for a new couch and need him to stop this! Also I am really getting frustrated with him damaging the carpet. Does anyone have any idea how to get him to stop this?

onyx'girl · 01-09-2012, 07:06 PM

OCD behavior...this thread has the Tufts link, I'd contact them and look at the suggestions on the thread.
Relentless tail chasing, staring at the carpet, digging the carpet

N Smith · 01-09-2012, 07:08 PM

Has a laser pointer ever been used for play, exercise or otherwise?

How much exercise is this dog getting a day?

Germanshepherdlova · 01-09-2012, 07:18 PM

He is going to be 3 years old in a couple days. A couple years ago when he was a puppy we played with him a couple times with the laser light and then when we learned that we shouldn't we stopped. He did not chase shadows until a year and a half later-so I don't think it is associated.

As far as exercise, I walk him about 45 minutes a day-my husband walks him about the same so about 1 1/2 hour walk a day-and then about an hour of running-catching a frisbee.

onyx'girl · 01-09-2012, 07:34 PM

He may need some mental stimulation as well. Track him using his meals, and maybe he could carry a pack when you do walk him. Obedience, agility nosework class would help mentally.

Germanshepherdlova · 01-09-2012, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onyx'girl

He may need some mental stimulation as well. Track him using his meals, and maybe he could carry a pack when you do walk him. Obedience, agility nosework class would help mentally.

I will try and do some tracking with him then and see if it helps. Of course I will have to find out how to do tracking. Is is as simple as hiding things and having him find them through sniffing?

He also likes to chase cars while out on walks-so I am willing to try just about anything right now to help him overcome all this chasing.

chelle · 01-09-2012, 08:42 PM

Really interesting. I'd never heard of this and last week sometime I was watching a few Dog Whisperer episodes and what do you know, GSD's chasing shadows in the backyard.

Even Cesar had a time with that one. I wonder if you could go to his website and find that episode? A shot in the dark, but might give you some insight?

Oh, eta -- here is a reference to it, but can't find the full length vid : http://www.hulu.com/watch/190189/dog...w-chasing-dogs

N Smith · 01-09-2012, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Germanshepherdlova

I will try and do some tracking with him then and see if it helps. Of course I will have to find out how to do tracking. Is is as simple as hiding things and having him find them through sniffing?

He also likes to chase cars while out on walks-so I am willing to try just about anything right now to help him overcome all this chasing.

It can even be as easy as throwing his regular kibble all over the lawn (if you have grass right now), or even in a room/basement/kitchen and letting him search it out.

Also, google "101 things to do with a box". Amazing, funny, easy and up beat fun that can be done in the living room.

rainy1023 · 01-09-2012, 08:46 PM

If all else fails buy a cheap torch lamp. The light will reflect up no shadows. place a metal baking pan on the carpet where the dog is digging or furniture for a few days maybe the dog will lose interest. Is there a smell of some scent the dog don't like you can spray there. Distract the dog with a treat or toy. Take the lamp shade off for a bit. someone must of had the dog chase its shadow or someone's its a game. Our older dog love chasing a laser pointer no good to start. I was not happy with the kids.

Germanshepherdlova · 01-09-2012, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chelle

Really interesting. I'd never heard of this and last week sometime I was watching a few Dog Whisperer episodes and what do you know, GSD's chasing shadows in the backyard.

Even Cesar had a time with that one. I wonder if you could go to his website and find that episode? A shot in the dark, but might give you some insight?

Thank you! A GSD huh-I will have to look that one up. I have contacted Cesar Millan to see if he can help me with my dog-about his chasing issues. Never know-perhaps you will see us sometime on that show. lol

01-09-2012, 07:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
Germanshepherdlova Knighted Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: USA Posts: 2,935	Shadow chasing must stop-he is damaging my home! It seems like every behavioral problem that there is my GSD has. Here is the newest. Every evening my dog will chase shadows. He waits by one of the lamps in the living room for someone to walk by and when he does he will pounce the shadow. Annoying as this is, it was tolerable until now. Because now he has taken to biting my carpet in pursue of these shadows-he is pulling strings from it and it is looking like crap in the spot he does it to repeatedly. In addition to this if he can't catch the shadow he will get upset and randomly (not every time) but will sometimes bite my couch! I have been shopping for a new couch and need him to stop this! Also I am really getting frustrated with him damaging the carpet. Does anyone have any idea how to get him to stop this? __________________ You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Germa...96574693743892 Last edited by Germanshepherdlova; 01-09-2012 at 07:06 PM.

01-09-2012, 07:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
onyx'girl Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SW, MI Posts: 17,605	OCD behavior...this thread has the Tufts link, I'd contact them and look at the suggestions on the thread. Relentless tail chasing, staring at the carpet, digging the carpet __________________ Jane~ Kept by Onyx, Kacie and Gideon v Wildhaus aka Karlo

01-09-2012, 07:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
Germanshepherdlova Knighted Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: USA Posts: 2,935	He is going to be 3 years old in a couple days. A couple years ago when he was a puppy we played with him a couple times with the laser light and then when we learned that we shouldn't we stopped. He did not chase shadows until a year and a half later-so I don't think it is associated. As far as exercise, I walk him about 45 minutes a day-my husband walks him about the same so about 1 1/2 hour walk a day-and then about an hour of running-catching a frisbee. __________________ You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Germa...96574693743892

01-09-2012, 07:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
onyx'girl Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SW, MI Posts: 17,605	He may need some mental stimulation as well. Track him using his meals, and maybe he could carry a pack when you do walk him. Obedience, agility nosework class would help mentally. __________________ Jane~ Kept by Onyx, Kacie and Gideon v Wildhaus aka Karlo

01-09-2012, 08:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
chelle Knighted Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 2,841	Really interesting. I'd never heard of this and last week sometime I was watching a few Dog Whisperer episodes and what do you know, GSD's chasing shadows in the backyard. Even Cesar had a time with that one. I wonder if you could go to his website and find that episode? A shot in the dark, but might give you some insight? Oh, eta -- here is a reference to it, but can't find the full length vid : http://www.hulu.com/watch/190189/dog...w-chasing-dogs __________________ Dolly Eskie 6/03 Suri Shiba 10/07 Bailey WGSD/Husky x 5/11 Bailey's brother Tucker (rescue/foster dude) Tiger kitty '96 Information is power Last edited by chelle; 01-09-2012 at 08:47 PM.

01-09-2012, 07:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
N Smith Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Whitehorse, Yukon Posts: 310	Has a laser pointer ever been used for play, exercise or otherwise? How much exercise is this dog getting a day?

01-09-2012, 08:46 PM	#9 (permalink)
rainy1023 Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Pa. Posts: 57	If all else fails buy a cheap torch lamp. The light will reflect up no shadows. place a metal baking pan on the carpet where the dog is digging or furniture for a few days maybe the dog will lose interest. Is there a smell of some scent the dog don't like you can spray there. Distract the dog with a treat or toy. Take the lamp shade off for a bit. someone must of had the dog chase its shadow or someone's its a game. Our older dog love chasing a laser pointer no good to start. I was not happy with the kids.

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