It all started one rainy afternoon.
Fido needed to get out for some exercise but no one really wanted to don rain gear, rubber boots and trudge through the torrential downpour happening outside. Fido began to pace restlessly looking for something to release his growing cabin fever when he noticed a red dot creeping up behind him on the floor. Being a border collie mix, he immediately became mesmerized by the dot, not knowing where it was coming from, how it could move so quickly, follow him, disappear, then reappear someplace completely different. Within minutes, Fido was obsessed and his life would never be the same again.
Dogs, just like humans, can suffer from obsessive compulsive disorders and chasing lights and shadows are some of the most common. In some cases, the behaviour can develop when an under-exercised and over-stimulated dog watches light and shadows flicker through trees onto walls and floors.
In other more common circumstances it starts off innocently enough with a laser pointer game.
All breeds and mixes can develop these light and shadow obsessions, but dogs who are bred to hold a strong hyperfocused gaze are especially vulnerable. Herding dogs, such as the border collie, and pointing dogs, like German short/wire-haired pointers, English pointers, Weimaraners, and vizslas, are all bred to stare intently at their quarry. Their brains become hyperfocused, noticing even the slightest twitch of movement. This trait helps the border collie determine which direction a sheep is going to turn and thus herd it. For pointers, it helps them locate fowl hiding in tall grass. When these dogs are in working conditions, they are able to turn the hyperfocus on and off because there is always a successful end result. The sheep moves, the dog redirects the sheep and its attention, which results in a release of the hypertension. The duck in the tall grass is flushed by the dog, it redirects its focus to the fluttering game bird and this results in the release of the hypertension. There is always a tangible reward for the dog.
But unlike sheep or birds, lights from a laser pointer cannot be caught. This may seem innocuous to humans, but it is maddening for many dogs because they never "win" the game. As evidence of their frustration, dogs will continue to search for the light long after the laser has been put away. This is when a switch in their brain seems to click and the dog develops an obsession. When this happens, the obsessive behaviour sometimes turns destructive towards objects, such as the couch the laser disappeared behind or the wall where the laser was last seen. In severe cases, a dog will sometimes maim itself in an attempt to find the elusive light. To compound things, the dog may begin obsessing over shadows and lights in the home.
Light-obsessive behaviour is not the same as being fanatical about fetch because there is a tangible reward when the dog gets the ball.
Given the fact that it is impossible to know which dogs will develop this obsession until it happens, I discourage everyone from ever starting the laser light game. Often, the obsessed dog has to be placed on lifetime medication to ease its mental and physical discomfort. If you currently play this game, stop before your dog becomes obsessed.
If your dog is showing signs of light and shadow chasing obsession, the first thing to do is increase its physical exercise outside. Increase its mental exercise by taking a tracking or scenting class that results in a tangible reward at the end of the hunt.
Do not add additional anxiety by getting angry at your dog. Instead calmly redirect its attention with a treat. Give it a recreational chew toy or bone and ask it to lie quietly on its bed.
Light and shadow chasing behaviour is one of the most serious and destructive behaviours a dog can express. Because of the unpredictability as to which dogs will display it and which ones won't, I encourage every dog owner to never, ever start playing with a laser pointer with your dog. If your dog is bored and needs exercise, get off your duff and go outside for a walk.
Joan Klucha has been working with dogs for more than 15 years in obedience, tracking and behavioural rehabilitation. Contact her through her website k9kinship.com.
