Positive PetzineLaser Pointer
My dog Lola (boxer) has a laser pointer obsession. She is alwasys looking for the light to chase. We only used one day and haven't brought it put for 2 weeks. She is totally obessed!
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Comments
re: Laser Pointer
Unfortunately this can happen with some dogs, some breeds are more prone than others.
When you say that you haven't brought out the laser pointer in two weeks but she is "totally obsessed", what exactly are you seeing?
Regards,
Aidan
http://www.positivepetzine.com
laser pointer
Every shadow or glare makes her go up the walls trying to get it. If a car goes by and the glare from it casts a glare in our house she looks for it for an hour. The glare from someones watch on the wall or a mirror will set her off. We only played with the pointer for a couple of hours and never brought it out again. Her eyes dart all over the room looking for any sign of moving light. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Vicky
re: re: laser pointer
To be honest, she may have developed this obsession anyway.
Limit her exposure as much as you possibly can. Be aware of watches, I actually take mine off when I get in the door. Close curtains tightly at night.
Teach her something specific that she can do indoors that puts her attention on you, then condition it very strongly. I would use a recall, or teach her to target your hand. Don't try to use it straight away when she is chasing light and shadows, condition it very strongly indoors first.
Add some distractions - rolling tennis ball, squeaky toy, food on the floor etc and continue to condition a very vigorous response to your interruption behaviour (target hand or recall).
Then carefully add a small light or shadow distraction, pass your hand past a light or something. You need to set your dog up for success, we definitely don't want to go past the point of no return. Make it easy, stupid easy. Work your way up from there, conditioning her to touch your hand or come to you at each level of difficulty before progressing.
Eventually, you'll want to be able to "snap her out of it" by using the cue and having her perform the thing that you teach, then get her busy doing something else entirely so that she can't ever obsess about light and shadow for more than a few moments until you notice that she is doing it.
In the meantime, ramp up the mental and physical activity and give her a productive and controllable outlet for this obsession and drive. Agility, flyball, frisbee, tracking, retrieving - find something you both enjoy that is a bit of a challenge.
Also look at recreational bones, Kongs, hiding food, laying a track with food etc Keep her mind and body occupied with meaningful (to a dog) things to do.
If all this is proving too difficult, or the obession progresses to a point where you think that her quality of life will be affected, seek professional help. There are medications which are useful in moderating obsessive, stereotypical behaviours. When used in conjunction with a good behaviour modification plan they can be very helpful. Only a qualified veterinary behaviourist can really make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the correct medication for your dog.
Regards,
Aidan
http://www.positivepetzine.com
Laser Pointer
My golden retriever had the same obsession. I had to put insulation tape over the slikka brush when brushing her or the shiny back of the brush would have her hopping to catch the light. When staying with my dad, the light would reflect off his watch onto the wall and she would sit for an hour staring at the wall waiting for it to happen again. On competition day at the dog club, I had to hope the judge didn't have an old style clip board with a big shiny clip at the top of it ! Shadows, lights, flashy things ... sigh...
Victoria Stilwell
I have seen it on one of Victoria Stilwells dvds. She had a dog with that kind of behavior and cured it. If you watch it I'm sure it can help you get rid of that behavior and have a "normal" dog again. Or doesn't do your dog that anymore?