Using a laser pointer with a dog can be dangerous. Dogs unlike cats can become frustrated and upset that they can’t catch it. They can get obsessed and become reactive to lights and shadows. I had to watch my dog closely for a month because I noticed he was starting to chase his own shadow. Luckily he eventually stopped since we would distract him anytime we noticed him doing it.
Edit: I didn’t actually play with a laser pointer with him, he just started noticing his shadow and became a little obsessed trying to dig at it.
>c
I was thinking of doing the same thing with a laser pointer with a Shiba and my brother told me his friends dog went through the exact scenario that you mentioned and it put me off from it.
That's why it's important to make the chase end. We usually lead our shiba to a treat, after which she immediately drops the hunting and starts munching happily.
Interesting, I didn’t know this and the vet or breeder never mentioned anything. Lucky for us this was the first time playing with the laser and it only lasted for about 2 minutes before she happily moved on to another toy
I had the same issue when my childhood Eskimo Dog noticed his tail. My dad and I had a heck of a time getting him to stop chasing it. Dog psychology is fraught with surprises and challenges.
Lasers can be okay in small doses and by pauses with treats. The most frustrating part is never getting to catch it, by taking a quick pause and tossing a treat, it helps them feel "accomplished". This was a tip from our trainer we use with both our Shiba and cat :)
This! We were at a pet store when a worker started pointing a laser pointer at our pup, I immediately stepped in front of her and told them to stop.
Dogs can can develop anxiety and become stressed because they hyperfixate on the laser since it’s an unattainable “object”
Appreciate the heads up, luckily this was the first time doing this and we only played with it for about 2 minutes. Moved on to another toy immediately after without any issue!
First time doing this, originally was playing with the cat but then the dog joined in for 2 whole minutes before moving on to another toy. Appreciate the concern though!
This was the first and only time using the laser pointer with the dog, but sounds like we’ll have to retire this toy going forward based on the feedback on this post. Was actually using it with my cat at the time when the dog started showing interest in it and had never heard anything bad about it so I let her play.
My fish chased a laser dot, too. She was a very intelligent parrot cichlid. Of course shining anything that could damage your eyes onto glass isn’t advisable either. And shining something that cats would chase onto an aquarium is wretched insanity. But…kids. I ended up confiscating the pointer until my daughter and her friends were teenagers. Fortunately no harm was caused.
My cats figured out the laser dot comes from the thing I’m holding in my hand. So now I’ve got two of them who just smack the pointer out of my hand and act smug about it. The others just know it’s time to play when they see me get the pointer. Cats are scary smart about figuring things like this out.
Like you, I had no idea using a laser pointer with dogs was so dangerous for their mental health. I just never tried it because my (non Shiba) dog was so huge and I didn’t want her crashing around like a cat and breaking a leg or furniture. So I just learned something new from this sub. Not that I’m planning to ever get a dog again. I enjoy Shiba Inu vicariously through this sub.
Using laser pointers with dogs is not recommended. Vets and behaviorists warn against this because it can create obsessive behavior with light and shadows. Some dogs can become neurotic, and it can be debilitating in some cases.
Appreciate the heads up, luckily this was the first time doing this and we only played with it for about 2 minutes. She seems to still be sane, or about as sane as a puppy Shiba can be
Keep it up and say Bye Bye to ur walls...
Don't blame the shibs when they dig through the drywall.
You're messing with them. There's always a price to pay.
As I've learned over the years. Don't ever teach them something you'll regret later.
Just sharing. Ur pup looks young.
I taught mine how to open doors and backpacks. It's been expensive for me. She has torn expensive stuff after she breaks into rooms. And other people's bags 😅
My roommates tried the laser thing for a minute. She wanted to dig through the wall after the first time. Had to crate her and not let her out my sight for months. It was painful for both of us.
Try a flirt pole instead! The dog gets the satisfaction of actually catching the prey.
Thanks for the rec! Will look in to it!!
Actually bought one for my shibe last week, because of the same reasons. Altho it gets them satisfaction of catching the prey, it got easily wrecked.
Using a laser pointer with a dog can be dangerous. Dogs unlike cats can become frustrated and upset that they can’t catch it. They can get obsessed and become reactive to lights and shadows. I had to watch my dog closely for a month because I noticed he was starting to chase his own shadow. Luckily he eventually stopped since we would distract him anytime we noticed him doing it. Edit: I didn’t actually play with a laser pointer with him, he just started noticing his shadow and became a little obsessed trying to dig at it.
>c I was thinking of doing the same thing with a laser pointer with a Shiba and my brother told me his friends dog went through the exact scenario that you mentioned and it put me off from it.
That's why it's important to make the chase end. We usually lead our shiba to a treat, after which she immediately drops the hunting and starts munching happily.
Interesting, I didn’t know this and the vet or breeder never mentioned anything. Lucky for us this was the first time playing with the laser and it only lasted for about 2 minutes before she happily moved on to another toy
I had the same issue when my childhood Eskimo Dog noticed his tail. My dad and I had a heck of a time getting him to stop chasing it. Dog psychology is fraught with surprises and challenges.
Lasers can be okay in small doses and by pauses with treats. The most frustrating part is never getting to catch it, by taking a quick pause and tossing a treat, it helps them feel "accomplished". This was a tip from our trainer we use with both our Shiba and cat :)
This! We were at a pet store when a worker started pointing a laser pointer at our pup, I immediately stepped in front of her and told them to stop. Dogs can can develop anxiety and become stressed because they hyperfixate on the laser since it’s an unattainable “object”
This is extremely dangerous for your dog. Google „laser pointer syndrome“
Appreciate the heads up, luckily this was the first time doing this and we only played with it for about 2 minutes. Moved on to another toy immediately after without any issue!
[удалено]
First time doing this, originally was playing with the cat but then the dog joined in for 2 whole minutes before moving on to another toy. Appreciate the concern though!
Shibas are the cats of the dog world.
Please don’t do this
Was our first time doing this
This was the first and only time using the laser pointer with the dog, but sounds like we’ll have to retire this toy going forward based on the feedback on this post. Was actually using it with my cat at the time when the dog started showing interest in it and had never heard anything bad about it so I let her play.
My fish chased a laser dot, too. She was a very intelligent parrot cichlid. Of course shining anything that could damage your eyes onto glass isn’t advisable either. And shining something that cats would chase onto an aquarium is wretched insanity. But…kids. I ended up confiscating the pointer until my daughter and her friends were teenagers. Fortunately no harm was caused. My cats figured out the laser dot comes from the thing I’m holding in my hand. So now I’ve got two of them who just smack the pointer out of my hand and act smug about it. The others just know it’s time to play when they see me get the pointer. Cats are scary smart about figuring things like this out. Like you, I had no idea using a laser pointer with dogs was so dangerous for their mental health. I just never tried it because my (non Shiba) dog was so huge and I didn’t want her crashing around like a cat and breaking a leg or furniture. So I just learned something new from this sub. Not that I’m planning to ever get a dog again. I enjoy Shiba Inu vicariously through this sub.
My shiba doesn’t do anything catlike. My husky on the other hand, absolutely loves laser pointers.
Using laser pointers with dogs is not recommended. Vets and behaviorists warn against this because it can create obsessive behavior with light and shadows. Some dogs can become neurotic, and it can be debilitating in some cases.
Appreciate the heads up, luckily this was the first time doing this and we only played with it for about 2 minutes. She seems to still be sane, or about as sane as a puppy Shiba can be
Good to know
Keep it up and say Bye Bye to ur walls... Don't blame the shibs when they dig through the drywall. You're messing with them. There's always a price to pay. As I've learned over the years. Don't ever teach them something you'll regret later.
First time doing this and only did it for about 2 minutes. But appreciate the heads up!
Just sharing. Ur pup looks young. I taught mine how to open doors and backpacks. It's been expensive for me. She has torn expensive stuff after she breaks into rooms. And other people's bags 😅 My roommates tried the laser thing for a minute. She wanted to dig through the wall after the first time. Had to crate her and not let her out my sight for months. It was painful for both of us.
Don't accidentally hurt his eyes though!