A Question Regarding Shadows, Flashlights, Laser Pointers

Wolfiesmom · 11-19-2010, 09:43 PM

From reading this forum, I am learning that laser pointers are not a good thing to use with your dog. My question is, what if the dog knows where the light comes from? I haven't played laser pointer with Wolfie. I have used a flashlight not for play but to take him outside in the dark. He chases the light around, but seems to know that the light is coming from the flashlight. When I take it out, he gets all excited and wants to play, but as soon as I turn it off, he goes on to do something else. Another thing that Wolfie has always done is chase shadows. He started this on his own as he noticed shadows as a young pup. Again, he knows what makes the shadows. He will come over to us and stomp his feet, and snap his teeth, like he is barking, but no noise comes out. We say " want to play shadows?" and he stomps and snaps some more until we make shadows. He watches our hands and then chases the shadow, but always comes back and grabs our hands to win the game andto try and make us do more shadows. Then we say all done, and he goes on to something else. Is it ok to play like this if he knows what is making the shadows, and seems to grasp the concept that it's just a game?

BlackGSD · 11-19-2010, 09:49 PM

My opinion is no. He is already showing obsessive type behaviours by continuing to do bother your hands after you stop. It is also disrespectfull.

KZoppa · 11-19-2010, 09:51 PM

i think as long as he understands its a game, which from the sounds of things, he does, then i dont see the harm in it. because if he KNOWS what starts the game, its something physical he can get. just watch out for him to find the flashlight and bring it to you himself! Riley is neurotic about lasers and shadows and flashlights. he spazzes and wont chill. we cant seem to get him to understand its a game.... last 5 1/2 years.

Wolfiesmom · 11-19-2010, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackGSD

My opinion is no. He is already showing obsessive type behaviours by continuing to do bother your hands after you stop. It is also disrespectfull.

I didn't think of it in this way. I thought of it as he knows that he can't catch the shadow, but he can catch our hand that is making the shadow. That's something to think about.

onyx'girl · 11-19-2010, 09:54 PM

I don't think it is a healthy way to exercise a dog. There are many other outlets to mentally and physically wear him out. It is a dangerous game, IMO.

Emoore · 11-19-2010, 10:35 PM

We played with Cash with the Lazer pointer too. The problem is it builds up drive and frustration for a thing they can't get, so there's no way to get that drive/frustration out. One day Cash got so frustrated from chasing the lazer that he nearly took off the hand that was holding it. My fault, BAD MOMMY! I bandaged up my hand and we never played lazer pointer again.

I also noticed that when he was supposed to be focusing on me, he would start becoming distracted by shadows.

I don't think it's a good idea. Wish I had known then what I know now.

**Cassidy's Mom** · 11-19-2010, 10:36 PM

I agree, I wouldn't do it.

BlackGSD · 11-19-2010, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onyx'girl

I don't think it is a healthy way to exercise a dog. There are many other outlets to mentally and physically wear him out. It is a dangerous game, IMO.

AgileGSD · 11-20-2010, 11:39 AM

IMO it is a bad idea. I know a dog who has some serious OCD shadow chasing issues that developed from someone "playing" with a flashlight with him. The problem isn't of the dog not knowing where the light/shadow comes from, it's that such play gets the dog to notice lights/shadows in a way they normally wouldn't have. OCDs aren't caused by the dog not knowing where the light/shadow comes from. It generally starts with something the dog recognizes such as a flashlight or laser light, Most dogs know the sight of these toys when owners use them. The problem comes when the dog then starts noticing light spots or shadows in every day life. Then you have a dog who "plays" with lights spots and shadows in every day life, the same way they "play" with the flashlight.

I'd say a flirt pole is a much better outlet for this sort of play. You can easily make one from a long horse lunge whip and any long, "whippy" toy. It will offer the same sort of chasing exercise without the risk of developing and OCD.

BlackGSD · 11-20-2010, 12:11 PM

Don't suppose anyone caught The Dog Whisperer last night?

There were 2 SAR dogs that had a fixation on shadows! And YES, they were both GSDs.

11-19-2010, 09:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
Wolfiesmom Crowned Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 4,143	A Question Regarding Shadows, Flashlights, Laser Pointers From reading this forum, I am learning that laser pointers are not a good thing to use with your dog. My question is, what if the dog knows where the light comes from? I haven't played laser pointer with Wolfie. I have used a flashlight not for play but to take him outside in the dark. He chases the light around, but seems to know that the light is coming from the flashlight. When I take it out, he gets all excited and wants to play, but as soon as I turn it off, he goes on to do something else. Another thing that Wolfie has always done is chase shadows. He started this on his own as he noticed shadows as a young pup. Again, he knows what makes the shadows. He will come over to us and stomp his feet, and snap his teeth, like he is barking, but no noise comes out. We say " want to play shadows?" and he stomps and snaps some more until we make shadows. He watches our hands and then chases the shadow, but always comes back and grabs our hands to win the game andto try and make us do more shadows. Then we say all done, and he goes on to something else. Is it ok to play like this if he knows what is making the shadows, and seems to grasp the concept that it's just a game? __________________ Mom to Chases Wolfgang Heinrich Von Ryan aka Wolfie born 12/20/09 Waiting for us at the bridge is Chases Chieftain aka Chiefy Left this earth and left a hole in our hearts July 2000

11-19-2010, 09:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
BlackGSD Crowned Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Eastern Washington Posts: 7,805	My opinion is no. He is already showing obsessive type behaviours by continuing to do bother your hands after you stop. It is also disrespectfull. __________________ Tracy Siren vom Banach { Sable female GSD 3-20-08} R.I.P. Wrangler male ACD/Aussie mix. 9-29-99 to8-29-11.

11-19-2010, 09:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
KZoppa Crowned Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 16,209	i think as long as he understands its a game, which from the sounds of things, he does, then i dont see the harm in it. because if he KNOWS what starts the game, its something physical he can get. just watch out for him to find the flashlight and bring it to you himself! Riley is neurotic about lasers and shadows and flashlights. he spazzes and wont chill. we cant seem to get him to understand its a game.... last 5 1/2 years. __________________ The more people I meet and talk to,the more I love my dogs and their intelligence. Zena GSD 6/1/03 Shasta GSD 5/5/10 "Dax" Thor z vom Weberhaus GSD 3/18/2013 Riley GSD/BC 1/10/05-2/1/2013

11-19-2010, 09:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
onyx'girl Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SW, MI Posts: 21,187	I don't think it is a healthy way to exercise a dog. There are many other outlets to mentally and physically wear him out. It is a dangerous game, IMO. __________________ Jane~ Kept by Onyx, Kacie and Gideon v Wildhaus aka Karlo

11-19-2010, 10:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
Emoore Crowned Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: North DFW, TX Posts: 9,554	We played with Cash with the Lazer pointer too. The problem is it builds up drive and frustration for a thing they can't get, so there's no way to get that drive/frustration out. One day Cash got so frustrated from chasing the lazer that he nearly took off the hand that was holding it. My fault, BAD MOMMY! I bandaged up my hand and we never played lazer pointer again. I also noticed that when he was supposed to be focusing on me, he would start becoming distracted by shadows. I don't think it's a good idea. Wish I had known then what I know now. __________________ Rocky vom Backyard- 11 years young Kopper vom Felssclucht Bach - 2 years At the Bridge: Cash van der Animal Shelter 2006-2010

11-19-2010, 10:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
Cassidy's Mom No Stinkin' Leashes Moderator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 27,395	I agree, I wouldn't do it. __________________ -Debbie- Dena 9/12/04-10/4/08 Forever would have been too short Keefer 8/25/05 Halo 11/9/08 FDCh-G TF-III Cassidy 6/8/00-10/4/04

11-20-2010, 11:39 AM	#9 (permalink)
AgileGSD Elite Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 1,724	IMO it is a bad idea. I know a dog who has some serious OCD shadow chasing issues that developed from someone "playing" with a flashlight with him. The problem isn't of the dog not knowing where the light/shadow comes from, it's that such play gets the dog to notice lights/shadows in a way they normally wouldn't have. OCDs aren't caused by the dog not knowing where the light/shadow comes from. It generally starts with something the dog recognizes such as a flashlight or laser light, Most dogs know the sight of these toys when owners use them. The problem comes when the dog then starts noticing light spots or shadows in every day life. Then you have a dog who "plays" with lights spots and shadows in every day life, the same way they "play" with the flashlight. I'd say a flirt pole is a much better outlet for this sort of play. You can easily make one from a long horse lunge whip and any long, "whippy" toy. It will offer the same sort of chasing exercise without the risk of developing and OCD.

11-20-2010, 12:11 PM	#10 (permalink)
BlackGSD Crowned Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Eastern Washington Posts: 7,805	Don't suppose anyone caught The Dog Whisperer last night? There were 2 SAR dogs that had a fixation on shadows! And YES, they were both GSDs. __________________ Tracy Siren vom Banach { Sable female GSD 3-20-08} R.I.P. Wrangler male ACD/Aussie mix. 9-29-99 to8-29-11.

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