Please help me solve (or should that be fuel!) this debate between two people:

Harmless fun or evil torment!

(obviously this takes into account the fact that lasers shouldn't be shone in or around eye of human or animal, so excluding that fact - I mean the principles of dog chasing something it can never catch).

Thank yoooooooooooooooooooo!

We have a laser pen, my cat loves it and chases it around for ages.  We haven't tried it on our puppy dog yet (who's nearly 9 mths now), but OH said the other week he wants to get it out & see if she has fun.

If they're enjoying themselves, which Whisky the cat certainly seems to I don't see why it can't be harmless fun, as long as you don't get it in their eyes (obviously)!!

That's my point of view anyway...

Someone got my little CKCS to chase one when she was young.  For the rest of her life she was obsessed with moving light in shadows of any sort.  To the point where she was in total distress puffing and panting.
I would NEVER allow a dog of mine to see one again, it took over her life.

Bev

used to do it with a cat of mine - he got obsessed with it. if ever i do it with one of my cats now i start it in my hand and finish the game by showing them that it goes into my hand , i then close my hand and apparently take it away. by doing this none of mine have ever got worried by it but i do bring out a toy they can catch afterwards.
mind you never used it on a dog before

My dog is a shadow chaser as well, i blame my husband for playing the laser game with him. He does enjoy it but for hours after he will obsess over shadows.

We only play the laser game with our cat very occasionally,ie. once or twice a year if that.  She's never got obsessed with it or anything like that.  However after seeing what some of you've said about dogs chasing lasers, I will definitely warn my OH and not play the game with our dog.

Thanks for the replies!

My hubby plays it with my dog using a laser level, and she absolutely loves it - she knows where the light is coming from and that my OH is controlling it.  When the game is ending and the laser level put away she will sit in front of the shelf where the level has been put and bark at it, asking for another game.  Sometimes when they haven't played it for weeks/months, she will sit and whine at the laser level asking for a game of chase the light.

Actually I'm probably attributing too much intelligence to her, I suppose she just associates the big long yellow thing coming out with the red light game! :D But what I mean is, she knows there isn't a little red insect that escapes around the house every so often as she knows it stops when the laser level is put away.

But I don't like it, I can't help thinking its evil torment getting her to chase something she will never catch, however much she enjoys it.  His defence is that because she doesn't get a lot of off-lead exercise due to being an adventurous terrier living in a town, its good exercise for her as she will chase it up and down the hall relentlessly until he stops the game (never for too long admittedly).

But the shadow thing has given me more fuel for my cause!

My partner has played with my westie with a lazer pen, she absolutely loves it, as soon as she hears the lazer pen jingle she's off looking for the light.  She doesn't start chasing shadows though after the game has ended, only the lazer light.  My other dogs aren't interested in it was so over.

Susan

from what i remember about a tv prog once i think it is quite dangerous-some dogs- collie types mostly- get obsesed with that sort of thing and start chasing shadows etc non stop

Definitely not a good idea, it can lead to OCD in some susceptible breeds ie those with a high prey drive etc.

Yes I've seen a dog like this, it was awful -he was outdoors, surrounded by other dgs and people and STILL all he could do was watch the ground looking for any reflections to chase. :(

Oh dear - we do it with ours & they seem to enjoy it - maybe not a good idea then?

Someone did it to the landlords springer spaniel in my local, they only did it once now whenever he is in the bar he spends his time pouncing on imaginary things on the ground, its really sad :(

I think it depends on how your dog reacts, for my dog it's not good but as some others have said there dog knows where the light is coming from so it causes no problems for them.

My springer chases shadows and lights and believe me its no fun! He was a rescue that we got at 10 months and the first few days and nights all he did was chase shadows and bark at the ones he couldn't reach - like a tiny shadow on the wall. On sunny days he is a nightmare as he has developed this game where he pushes the open door, the light reflects off the door, he chases it and then starts all over again. Hes ruined our doors and we can't leave them open now. He will headbutt any moving shadow or light, how he hasn't hurt himself is beyond me. Torches are out of the question. Its taken months to get him to settle down around normal lights and things, but will always be mad around torches and is fixated on car lights at night. Its certainly not something i would encourage, for some it would be harmless fun, but it can become a complete nuisance too!!

Its certainly not something i would encourage, for some it would be harmless fun, but it can become a complete nuisance too!!
- totally agree lucyandmeg

I have have a 5 yr old who was encouraged as a puppy to chase torch light. She is a complete pain bless her, dark nights, sunny days, car lights, reflection off my glasses ............................ you name it, she's fixated.
Having her eyes tested is an experience you don't want more than once a year, believe me.
When her daughter was born & stayed here, I refused to allow ANY torch playing or anything like it & have no problem with her at all.

I can imagine Collies or springers to do that, a few of my friends had collies they were obessesed with balls anything bascially what moved.  My dog Luicy as soon as the lazer is off she stops, thank god but it;s not an everyday game my partner does it;s once in a while.

Regards Susan

My rottie pup is obsessed with shadows, and it can be a real nuisance when he is following you everywhere trying to pounce on your shadow and triping you up all the time. We try not to encourage it, but when he's got his 'shadow' head on there is no stopping him. :rolleyes:

It's not just springers or collies that get's fixated.
It can be ANY breed.
One of my Boxers is a complete pain in the bum with this too.
After my dad thought it was funny to get her to chase his laser
level (he's a builder) I was so cross with him and told him to stop it.
But the damage was done in such a short time.

I now have to be so careful with any reflection, torches etc.
It's not funny and I would never do this with any dog however
entertaining it seems at the time.
I've never been able to get her out of the fixation

I even have to move my watch round on my wrist in the summer
as she'll chase that reflection too.

No it's not just any breed mine is a golden retriever and he is obsessed with shadows as well. So husband has been told off.

That's interesting with the torches.  I have to shine a torch on Millie (from behind) every night.  (small jet black terrier, big pitch black garden - I want to actually see her do that last bedtime wee before I get comfy under my covers at night!) and she doesn't take a bit of notice, I grab the first torch to hand, normal one, led light.  She's not phased by torch light at all, no shadow chasing.

Still I won't tell OH that so as not to encourage him ;-)

She's cleverer than I give her credit for.  She has mirrors totally sussed too, she knows its her in the reflection and not 'another dog'.  In fact, she often sneaks off to one of the floor length ones to admire herself...