chasing shadows

[rlkev]

I have done a search, and there has been posts, but I haven't found any suggestions on how to break it. We adopted a very sweet female rottie in July and she recently became obsessed with shadows to the point of tripping and bumping the kids when they walk. My husband asked the trainer that he's taking class with and he said she would probably grow out of it. I was wondering if anyone had any luck breaking their dog of this habbit.

[OWQ]

Welcome! I know you will love the forums and find lots of useful information. Bo, my Golden Retreiver rescue is a "sparkle" chaser -- this includes shadows, reflections off of jewelry and flashlights. He is 7 and has not outgrown this yet! I found one of the most important things is to discourage anyone from using this in playing with him because he becomes more obsessed with it. Also, anticipate when it will happen and redirect. Possibly you could make her heel with the kids instead of tripping them.

[Carol Burke]

I have a two year old Rottweiler bitch who chases shadows. She started this at about 8 months and I have not had any luck in stopping her. She can be redirected to other things, but she ultimately finds a shadow to chase.

[StephanieandToby]

I used to walk a female Rotti who chased shadows to the point of bumping into things...we were not able to break her of the habit...once the flicker caught her eye she was obsessed! At the time I foud it annoying, but she has since passed away and I actually miss her funny little ways!! good Luck!

[rlkev]

Thanks for the replies, we also have an 8 month golden he chases leaves as they blow by him but those he can actually catch. When she first started this he tried to figure out what she was doing but now he just ignores it. My brother-in-law had a female who also did this, but not as intense she has since passed away and never out grew it.When I take her out in public people think it's hysterical.It is kind of annoying when the kids are at the table trying to do homework and she's next to them pouncing on the shadows they are making or when she's trying to grab the shadows on the walls and scratching them. Other then this one quirk she is a very sweet lovable dog and we feel so very lucky to have found her.

[fbkeays]

I have heard that medications that treat obsessive-complusive disorders help as this is O-C behavior.
Ignoring this behavior is not going to make it go away. This is a self rewarding behavior.

[HerculesMomma]

Originally Posted by fbkeays

I have heard that medications that treat obsessive-complusive disorders help as this is O-C behavior.
Ignoring this behavior is not going to make it go away. This is a self rewarding behavior.

Agreed. My cousins lab bitch has a real problem with this. To me there are two types of shadows - 1. The actual shadow that you see in the sun or light from a human body etc. and 2. A sparkle or light reflection, lets say from a flash light or mirror.

My cousin adopted her lab and the only thing that seemed to improve on her chasing shadows is when she got another dog. I believe it starts out with them as being a form of entertainment and something happens where it turns obsessive. From the reading I've done on the internet, often medication can be an alternative, or other things I've read is that the dog is high energy and could benefit from strenous exercise. Walking the dog frequently and for long periods of time - or if the dog is old enough, I would run them if possible.

But in the end, my cousin still can't get her dog to shake it completely. Sounds like others have had the same difficulty. It may be worthwhile to talk to your vet to see what they recommend.

[frontierrots]

Bea will chase shadows and flashlight beams

As a baby it was very obsessive but is less so now

I taught her a leave it and enough command and that helped

BUT what helped most of all was exercise. Once she started getting adequate (for her) exercise the shadow chasing cut way way way back

Rottweilers are very smart dogs and like ADD children, when they are bored and under exercised (mentally and physically) they find ways to entertain them selves and once they find a self rewarding behavior, it can become habit

[BostonRott]

Froli was very entranced by laser light dots. All you had to do was ask her "Where's the red dot?" and she'd intensely stare at the floor, frozen, waiting for it to appear. We stopped using the laser dot with her, worried that it would progress to and OCD of shadows and chasing.

I attended a seminar by two reknowned behaviourists (Dunbar and Dodman),and this topic was addressed. OCD can not be handled via behaviour modifcation alone (in dogs) because it is a self-rewarding behaviour. They have several meds that they use (many of the same ones given to people) and with good results. I'd have this investigated and treated sooner than later.........the longer it goes on, the more disruptive and all-consuming it will be in the dog's life.

[jas'smom]

I have to strongly second Bostonrott here. My cattle dog Anya chases shadows as well. Actually, any light source is fair game. She has been diognosed with OCD. The longer this behavior goes on the worse it will be.

[damp]

Originally Posted by frontierrots

Bea will chase shadows and flashlight beams

As a baby it was very obsessive but is less so now

I taught her a leave it and enough command and that helped

BUT what helped most of all was exercise. Once she started getting adequate (for her) exercise the shadow chasing cut way way way back

I agree (but please don’t ask for any studies or scientific proofs)

I have had two dogs (one Boxer and one Rottweiler) who both developed “shadow chasing” after surgeries and strict NO exercise and training at all and on short leash in the backyard just to pee. Both dogs were in Sch H training and on the field at least 1–2 hours a day (tracking, obedience, bite work, bicycling and some days just being a dog running in the wood)

I could stop both of them “chasing shadows” with a DOWN command or knock it of but none of them, never totally relaxed untill the sun was down or the light was turned of. After recovery and full speed on exercise and training, my Boxer never chased shadows again. The Rottweiler didn’t make it but as long as he recovered and was allowed more and more physical and mental training, the “shadow chasing” decreased. I am convinced that under stimulation in MENTAL SOUND and high driven dogs (also used to be in high activity) is the cause of many weird behaviours, including chasing shadows. And also, we can help (but not CURE) dogs with OCD, if we bombard them with physic and mental stimuli.

“Idleness is the root of all evil”

Originally Posted by frontierrots

Rottweilers are very smart dogs and like ADD children, when they are bored and under exercised (mentally and physically) they find ways to entertain them selves and once they find a self rewarding behavior, it can become habit

At work, we hike 4 Km. (2,4 mile) every Monday and 12 Km. (7,4 mile) every Thursday with a group with the diagnoses Hyper Active and/or DAMP… we don’t CURE them, but we give them a good experience and make them happy and feeling good and relaxed (behaviour modification.... did I really say that on the internet )

PS: The staff is RELAXED too after the hike, we don't fell good but sore!!!