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Laser Pointers: More Frustration Than Fun
American Kennel Club
https://www.akc.org/expert-adv...rustration-than-fun/

Ever seen someone use a laser pointer to play with their dog? Many owners think it’s funny to watch their dog chase that little red dot of light, and they think it’s a bonus to burn off some of their dog’s energy.

Unfortunately, a game of laser pointer chase can be very frustrating for a dog and can lead to behavioral problems.

The movement of a laser pointer triggers a dog’s prey drive, which means they want to chase it. It’s an unending game with no closure for the dog since they can’t ever catch that beam of light, like they can when chasing a toy or food.

Many dogs continue looking for the light beam after the laser pointer has been put away; this is confusing for your dog because the prey has simply disappeared. This can create obsessive compulsive behaviors like frantically looking around for the light, staring at the last location they saw the light, and becoming reactive to flashes of light (such as your watch face catching the sunlight and reflecting on the wall, or the glare of your tablet screen on the floor). Dogs that exhibit behavioral issues are frustrated, confused, and anxious.

If your dog loves to chase but you don’t always have the energy to run around with a toy, try a flirt pole. A flirt pole is like a fishing rod; it is comprised of a rigid stick section with a string or rope attached to the end. Commercially made flirt poles are sold by pet supply stores, but horse lunge whips also work well.

You can tie a toy to the end of the rope and drag it around for your dog to chase and tug with once he’s caught it. The advantage of the rigid section is that you can fling the toy around without having to move much yourself. You can even sit in your recliner!

If your dog loves to chase a toy on a flirt pole, then give your dog the ultimate chance to exercise their prey drive at an AKC Coursing Ability Test (CAT)!

This sport involves dogs chasing a “lure” – usually a white trash bag – attached to line set up around a field and controlled by a pulley system that moves the bag around the field. Dogs give chase and have a great time.

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Laser Pointer Syndrome in Dogs
by Dog Psychology 101
https://dogpsychology101.com/l...inter-syndrome-dogs/

Laser pointers may initially seem like a great way to exercise your dog. Unfortunately, they can cause serious problems for their future. We’ve all seen the videos of dogs (and cats) chasing that elusive red dot. You may have even done it with your pup. While we’re providing a few minutes of entertainment, they meet with an enormous amount of frustration. They can never be successful.

Why are laser pointers unhealthy?

After playing like this, dogs can easily become obsessed over lights, reflections, and even shadows. This type of OCD behavior is based on their frustration. It also seems to change the neurology of the brain. Dogs become obsessed over reflections. They may chase everything from your watch on the wall or light shining through glass doors. They are constantly on the lookout for anything that is similarly reflective.

The constant watchfulness becomes a neurotic and obsessive behavior, and a very unhappy way of being. I have also found that it is difficult, if not impossible, to reverse. Something gets switched on in the brain and becomes perpetual.

High-energy dogs and dogs with high prey drive are more susceptible to this condition. However, it can happen in all dogs. I once performed a home consultation with five dogs in the household. The family had been using a laser pointer as an outlet for perceived exercise for the entire pack. Four of the five dogs were suffering from the syndrome.

Laser Pointer Alternatives

Instead of relying on artificial stimulation by using a toy made for humans as an outlet for exercise, try walking, running, and hiking to both mentally and physically exercise your dog. You might enjoy it too. High-energy dogs will especially benefit from the great outdoors and the natural stimulation and relaxation that comes with it.

While there has not been an official or medical study done on this type of syndrome in dogs, I have years of experience telling me that there is almost always an adverse effect after prolonged use of the laser pointer. If you’re curious to hear other perspectives, Google “laser pointer syndrome in dogs” and read through many of the other observations and opinions of other professionals.

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While there has not been an official or medical study done on this type of syndrome in dogs, I have years of experience telling me that there is almost always an adverse effect after prolonged use of the laser pointer. If you’re curious to hear other perspectives, Google “laser pointer syndrome in dogs” and read through many of the other observations and opinions of other professionals.

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Originally posted by egregore:
I'd rather an animal play with something it can catch.

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Laser Pointers Bad for Dogs

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Originally posted by eyrich:
When I used the laser with the dogs I had them find a treat as the last thing we did.

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Originally posted by Largefarva:
I belong to a few different dog groups on Facebook and have taken a lot of shit whenever someone posts a video of their dog freaking out chasing laser pointers and I try to give them a heads-up about the obsessive behavior that can happen. So I simply stopped letting people know about it.

It’s a very real thing. I didn’t know about it with my two boxers, Gracie & Roscoe, whom I have lost both over the last two years. When they were younger I thought it was funny how they would chase after the laser pointer, until someone pointed it out to me how it can be harmful and create unwanted behavior. So I stopped using the laser pointer, but the damage was already done. Both dogs would flip out at any sort of reflection on the wall or ceiling, for the rest of their lives. I had to be really careful about my watch reflection, especially in the car because they would instantly try to get at it no matter where it was at.

With our current dogs I won’t ever introduce them to it. I learned my lesson.