Warning about Laser Pointers
January 3, 2012
Using Laser pointers or flashlights as a chase game for dogs, can literally drive them crazy! Please don’t use them.
Your dog may look like they’re having fun, but after just a few times exposed to this game, they can develop an obsessive-compulsive disorder with lifelong consequences. You don’t want your dog in every waking moment, staring constantly at the ground or wall, drooling and waiting for some flicker of light, reflection or shadow to appear.
Some dogs are more susceptible than others but I wouldn’t want to test my dog to find out. Most dogs need to periodically ”get paid” when they chase things, by physically touching something with their body or mouth. If they don’t, they can become hypersensitive or obsessed over it. There is no physical touch to light, this is why this game is so damaging.
If you have a dog with this problem, consult a Dog-Friendly dog trainer, who uses reward based methods.
Hello Robert,
I would like to start off saying I really enjoy reading your site, the Youtube videos are awsome and I am jealous…lol
I have a new pup that I recently got from a lady that had twins and could not keep him, He was kind of housebroken she says, but he had a few accidents at first and since learning to use the doggie door he has been great with going outside. No accidents in his crate at night. She called him Twilight but he did not respond to that name.
I started working with him immediately, using treats he love ,we broke them into small bits so they would go a long way. First we worked with him on a new name, Nitro now responds to his new name when called he looks at you, the following day we started calling his name and using the command “sit” Nitro caught on to the trick very quickly and well throughout the day. The following day Nitro learned a new command ” Down” which he also learned very quickly thoughout the day. After a week Nitro now knows his name, sit, down and off.
I am having trouble with a few things with nitro that maybe you can me with:
1. Nitro pulls when taken outside to walk or train…curious of everything and wont pay attention to me at all.
2. Nitro gets into things ( Chews ) we caught him with pens, plastic bags, paper eating them ( luckily we caught him and got it out of his mouth) But, He runs from us when we try to get it from him.
3. Nitro runs from us when he gets outside without permission.
4. Nitro humps his stuffed animals, towels, blankets….
5. He loves to play tug-o-war and fetches… but doesnt know how to release the ball, instead he plays tug-o-war with the ball when he returns.
Nitro is a Lab / jack russle mix, neutered, he was born 1/15/09, neutered on 5/27/09
I hope I added all the info that would help you problem solve these issues.
Thank you for any information on these issues,
Sincerely,
Mike Jr.
*note*
** Nitro had colored, sponge looking stools at first from eating tennis ball covers as well as whole tennis balls and whatever else we dont know of when we first got him from the original owner, he is normal now and on a regular diet since**
Hi Mike,
Thanks for the comments and questions.You have given me more twitter and blog topics.
Although I like to give free training tips through my blog, It would be extremely time consuming to answer every question people have. I can help you with one, and In time, I’m sure I will cover all of your problems and how to stop them. Nitro being part J.R. (read “10 breeds to avoid”) and at the height of the rambunctious and destructive stage (8-9 months) (read “10 reasons why dogs chew”). You will have more trouble getting his attention. Also read my blog “it’s whats under their paws” & “Trainings magic pill”. Practice short training sessions starting in the house and work your way outside. use regular leash at least 6 feet (no retractable and no harnesses) On walks always have the leash loose. become unpredictable in which way you walk, starting around the house and even at the front door, your dog should always sit at the door and wait for the release command before going out. Practice going in and out- changing direction, just become unpredictable, when you go the other way, Nitro will get to the end of the leash, he will receive a tug and realize he wasn’t watching you, when he runs to you or follows you , give reward. Keep repeating the turns, being unpredictable and rewarding. You also need to make following you more fun and more rewarding than the distractions around. also dont forget to teach him the release command, he needs to listen and wait for the release command before he can go play. One of these days I will upload a video I call “who’s walking who” and of course many others vids that will show in detail what I’m talking about. Starting soon, I will be giving 1 on 1 lessons on Skype, not for free but not the $150 and hour I used to charge. It will be $30.00 for 30 minutes then $20.00 every 30 minutes after that. Keep me updated with your progress and keep checking back for new training info and videos. If you subscribe you will be notified when I post something new. Good Luck
Do you know if the pointers have the same effect on cats?
Hi LaShonda,
To my knowledge, it doesn’t have the same effect. One way to find out, watch the cats behavior when the laser is off. Are they constantly looking for a light or chasing other flickers of light? if so, then it’s a problem.
Thanks for the question