Is it unhealthy to play the laser-pointer game with your dog?

It's amusing, sure. Extremely amusing, actually.

But I'd never seen a dog react the way our new one does. He's a standard poodle puppy, and ever since his first meeting with the Red Dot, he's been chasing shadows. It's hilarious, because he actually thinks he can catch the dot. But I worry that we're scarring him.

Or does he know that it's a game, is it just like any other play time?



Personal experience would help, or someone who knows how the dog mind works.Is it unhealthy to play the laser-pointer game with your dog?
All of our animals love the laser, the cats, the dog, even the fish (though their chasing is limited to the tank parameters...)! It's a great game to play with your indoor pets and gets them to run around and burn off some energy. I love having them chase up a wall - that is the best!Is it unhealthy to play the laser-pointer game with your dog?
Hi



It is amusing, but actually it can lead to problems. It can sometimes cause an obsessive behavior disorder, and for lack of a better term, actually cause a dog to go Crazy! It is more commonly seen in Collies %26amp; Terriers, and believed to possibly have a genetic link. It can, however appear in any breed.



Just do a web search on ';dog chasing lights';, and you should find some info.



Best of luck.
most dogs seem to be able to tell the difference. my brother has a pom, who LOVES the red dot game, would go till he drops. gets excited if you just pick up the pointer. our big dog, huskey/kuvac cross however is terrified of the dot or the pointer, but he is a rescue dog and had a rough start, so anything new might be dangerous. so to make a long story short, if you dog is having fun, and you don't shine it in his eyes, HAVE FUN!! o good book to read is ';how dogs think'; by stanley coren, or how to speak dog, by the same author.
It should be ok. I think he knows it's a game and is having fun with it. He probably realizes he can't touch it after a while.



Make sure you never let the dog look into the laser pointer though. And never point it in his eye. It is an infrared light so it can penetrate to the retina and damage it and thus cause blindness. In humans and animals.
It's great fun to play with a dog this way

BUT I taught our lab puppy to chase a flashlight spot and the rest of her life she would only chase shadows of balls and stick or reflections from the sun on a car door handle or back door knob. My step dad was really unhappy about her not being able to fetch properly!

So there could be unintended results.
my pup and cats love this!! just don't get in thier eyes.

This is great exercise for indoor pets !!!



My dog and cats hear the laser go on and they are primed and ready. My dog will look at the laser when u shut it off , he knows what it is. He will also go to the table it sits on and sit in front of it wtg for u to play with him with it..
I've read that it can lead to obsessive-compulsive behavior, like what you describe (chasing shadows). Dogs get frustrated because they cannot catch the laser, nor can they smell it. They become hyper-vigilant.

Just what I've read, I've never used it with my dog.
Well, I don't know if he knows it's a game or not, but what does it matter?



It's not going to hurt him. On the contrary, you lucked out. He'll chase that little red dot until he drops, and everyone knows, a sleepy puppy is a well behaved puppy.
I think it's fine. My dog runs after stuff all the time. Even when there's nothing there. I wouldn't worry about it, unless it slammed into stuff, or it started convulsing or something. Eh, if all else fails, just mention it to your vet.
Its Okay To Play With A Laser With Your Dog. It Just Brings Curiosity In Them. Then They'll ';attempt'; New things You Know? Just Have Fun And Becareful Not To Point It in His Eye It Could Hurt ALOT Like It Hurts Us With A Flash Light Or Laser. And If You Do It Too Much It could Blind Him/Her.I used to play that alot with my friends Cats %26amp; Dogs So Just Have Fun While You Can :) Hope I could help!
He'll be fine. He's having fun. My dog constantly tries to bite the water coming out of the sprinkler when it's on. He knows it's a game. Just don't point the laser near his face.
It can be a healthy exercise, but you should only do it in an open area, or you might hit your head on something. (LOL).
as long as you dont shine it in his eyes or anything he should be okay =]



ive done this before its great lol
as long as u don't point it in his eye...he'll be a healthy and happy dog! Have fun pointing with him! :D