problem

[rbrent]

First off I'm new to this Board found it while looking for a solotion to my problem. We have a 2 year old loving Rott that obeys pretty good. About four months ago my son brought over a laser light pen. he would shine it on the walls and carpet while the dog would go after it which we all thought was funny and playful. But now we havent done this since that first time and since then which has been about four months. Now our Rott just goes nuts at shadows and reflections from the sunlight that shines on the walls or ceiling. he trys to dig at the carpet and jump at the walls whenever he thinks he sees something. It seems to be driving him nuts. also us constanly telling him to leave it alone. we will put him in a down and stay command which he does but just lays there consantly looking around for this light. Has anyone had this problem and is there anything we can do to reduce his attention to this! Thanks for any info you can give us. We have considered getting another puppy or 1 to 2 year Rott to try to take his mind off of this. Hoping he forgets about it. Thanks again! Bob

[lblax]

Originally posted by rbrent
We have considered getting another puppy or 1 to 2 year Rott to try to take his mind off of this. Hoping he forgets about it. Thanks again! Bob

wrong reason to get a pup dogs really dont need interaction from other dogs you are his pack now he needs interaction from you. ours has great fun chasing the light too but he does not do like yours does unless the sunlight is reflecting off something and moving. does he do this looking for the light when there isnt any????if he does this could be a medical condition. i would keep correcting him especially when digging carpet and jumping on walls put a leash on him so you can get some good corrections on him, and play play play with him wear him out chasing a ball whatever you can a tired puppy is a good puppy

[waschull]

I made this mistake with my first dog. We thought it was cute when she chased the flashlight, etc. We "played" chase the light with her, etc. She too became obsessed with "light creatures" as we called them. When company arrived,she learned to lay at their feet b/c the crystal of their watch might catch the sun and create a light creature. When she saw one she attacked it and barked furiously. (obviously my husband and I could not wear watches...) When we went to FLA to visit my mom and dad she spent the entire time standing in the kitchen, tail wagging furiously b/c she learned that the light coming through the sliding glass dor would create a light creature when the fridge door was opened. She'd wait for hours for this to happen. I could go one and on, like the time she ran across a camp ground attacking the light from another camper's flashlight...

Anyway, we soon realized that light creatures were not "fun" for our dog and ceased playing with her. We also forbade friends and family members from making light creatures just "for fun". When she became excited over a light creature we did down-stay and I petted her until she relaxed again. None of this worked particularly well. Our most succesful approach (if she happened to see a light creature or was obsessed with looking for one) was to give her a bone stuffed with peanut butter. Sometimes she was so wild she would spit it out, but combined with removing the light creature and relaxation, she usualy warmed up to the PB and forgot about the light creature (temporarily). Anyway, she had this crazy obsession until she died. I think the best thing to remember is DO NOT START this game with your dog.

BTW- the vet did not feel that her behavior reflected OCD (as many people suggested to us) B/C she had no other symptoms of the disorder and becasue the behavior was clearly learned

stefanie

[ROTTNDAL]

My little girl (Rizzo), 16 mos. does the same thing. I just need to distract her. It's kind of frightening when she jumps at a flicker of light someplace suddenly before you have a chance to see the light yourself. It's just part of he silly ways.