laser pen concerns

[lucasmum]

After reading posts here about the fun to be had with laser pens I got one for Luca. He went absolutely crazy chasing the light, it was hilarious to watch. However, he is totally obsessed with it. I had no trouble getting him back to me, he just chases the light back to my side but when I stopped it he was going mad running everywhere trying to find it, ha was deaf to everything and wouldn't even take chicken from me (totally unheard of!) Whilst it wore him out I'm concernred that it might be stressful for him and not such a good idea. What does anyone think, harmless fun or damaging? Thanks.

 

[BXRBESTFRIND]

I have the same problem with Finlay and we no longer play with the laser pointer. He gets obsessed and like your pup searches frantically when the game is done. I decided it was to much for his little brain. Maybe when he gets older he wont be so obsessive (he does it with food too) but for now he has about a hundred other toys to choose from!

 

[shastadaisy]

Shasta loves the laser light. We keep it in a drawer in a side table in the family room. When she wants to play with it she will go and sit in front of the table and whine. Even is she is totally sleeping in the bedroom she will come running when she hears that drawer open even if I'm not getting the laser pen. What I do when we are done is tell her we are done and have her watch me put it away. She has never searched frantically for it when we are done playing because I think it's because she watches me put it away. She knows it's coming from a pen and not just some light beaming down from the ceiling.

Another toy that she absoultly loves is a punch balloon. You know those things that you blow up and have a string attached and you punch it. She goes nuts for that jumping and nose butting it. It usually lasts a little while but we never let her play with it without one of us in the room. So when it pops we can grab it up in case she tries to eat it. She's not even startled when it pops. It's sooo funny to watch her nose butt it and hit it in the air.

 

[SonnyRoutt]

laser lite

Monte couldn't be bothered with it but my cat, Bageerah, was obsessed. He'd sit at the base of the wall and shoot straight up to get it. It became a game that was a ritual before bedtime. I wondered if Monte was color blind or something. But he loves to hunt for tennis balls and things, so I think he's just not impressed.

 

[Aasha]

Hey did you know that all dogs are color blind. So you know what I wonder what they actually see when their chasing that red light anyways!

 

[dafzichu]

I have the same problem with Mindy. She would literally look for it all day if we did it in the morning. I have to say, I don't use it very often b/c of how obssessed she becomes, which is too bad b/c it is a great workout for her and fun to watch for me. :(

 

[lululove]

I don't know if you watch the dog whisperer, but there was a episode on the laser pointer..They had played with one with their dog and dog become obsessed looking for the light all the time, jumping at the walls, etc..So I guess this is something that can happen..Too bad the dog whisperer is not around to help out..If that episode comes on again I will post it...good luck

 

[TwoDogs]

If he loves it that much, consider using it as a reward for training. He gets to chase it only if he performs some behavior first. Use it like you would use treats during training--a tiny bit as a quick reward, then back to work. It will help to teach him to turn off his obsession and that he really has to pay attention to what you want in order to get his laser prize. The mental exercise will tire him out almost as well as running after the laser light will.

 

[dafzichu]

TwoDogs, I would have never thought of that, but it sounds like a brilliant idea! I think I will actually try that in our training session today. Thanks!

 

[lucasmum]

Sounds like a good idea, I'll try it. Thanks to everyone for their advice.