Shadow Chasing

[Emma]

Hello,
We were given an 8 month old rottie (Resor) last summer. He had 4 other owners before us and was raised in apartments. His last owner had to give him up after a fire in his apartment. Resor was lucky to escape with his owner. He was not house broken when we got him nor was he obedience trained. It took a while but he is now house broken and well trained. Resor gets along really well with our Lab/Shep. Dakota, he even gets along with our cat. He loves our big backyard and seems to be very happy with us. Now for the problem, he chases shadows constantly. Shadows on the floor, shadows on the wall, shadows on the carpet. He will even sit and bark at us to make some shadows for him. Is this a type of play or a nervous disorder from his traumatic beginings? We say "NO Shadows" when he starts but it does not work all the time. Whenever we have people over Resor chases shadows at their feet. I don't care about the destroyed carpet in the living room so much as I would like to find out if this is normal or should I be watching for other symptoms of a problem. If it is normal how do I help him stop this behaviour?
Please help.

[Orville Story]

I have seen other dogs with this problem. In their case it was just a matter of not being clear in the head. The dog has drive and sees the shadow as a moving object that he can't catch that builds more drive. The dogs seem uneffected in any other way. If you do find a a way to correct this, I would like to Know. Good Luck

[Suzanne]

I've had Toby since he was less than 4 months old. He chases shadows too. He has had NO trauma in his life. He is a completely adjusted, happy, content pet. He's never had "drive" for working, but he does love to play with us...usually catch. I don't remember when he started watching and chasing shadows, but he's been doing it at least most of his life. He knows it makes us laugh. People egg him on and keep the shadows going, so I think it's become a game for him. I also think he's a bit of an airhead...if you bounce a ball...and HE LOVES PLAYING FETCH WITH BALLS...and it makes a shadow, he follows the shadow and sometimes the ball even hits him on the head...then he remembers "oh yeah, we're playing with the ball" and he resumes normal play.

If this is some kind of psychological abnormality, I'm not sure. Toby is docile, affectionate, VERY even tempered and has never had anything wierd happen in his life, so it would take a lot to convince me that he's got some psychological problem.

About your dog, I'm not sure. I would see running in circles (if he were doing that) as more of a psychological problem than chasing shadows. Have you ever seen a Jack Russell terrier with a ball? HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU ALONE unless you're playing with him! Maybe your dog just really, really loves playing with his "toy?"

I hope this doesn't freak anyone out. Help me understand if I'm the one with the psychological problem.

Suzanne

[Maggie]

Hi there,I havent seen any Rotts now for a few years who chase shadows,but had the pleasure of knowing this old girl years ago who always chased shadows. She was the most noble girl and lived to the ripe old age of 14 and chased them to the day she died,I wouldnt worry too much.

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Maggie Murray
Rottweiler Specialist Judge
New Zealand

[Emma]

Thank you all for the information and encourgement. Suzanne, I can relate to the story you told of Toby's interesting way of playing Fetch. Resor does this as well. He is never sure wether he wants the ball or it's shadow. He does this when chasing Butterflies as well. Chasing the butterfly and then its shadow on the ground. I am glad to hear that this is a game and he is not stressed or worried about anything.
Thank you Maggie for your input. I can only hope that Resor is truly happy with us and lives a long and joyfilled, shadow chasing life.
Emma

[taos]

our 2year old male loves chasing shadows,refections of light and flashlights. when i got him at the breeders his mother did the same thing. he will sit there by the draw and cry for the flashlight to be brought out.needless to say it is difficult to do any repair work at night!

[judy v]

sorry this response is so late. i'm new at this, and it took me awhile to figure out my e-mail. i used to have a rotty that chased shadows. he started at six months w/ the shadow of a butterfly, and progressed to the shadows produced from the handle of the pooper scooper. if the sun were out. he'd stand in front of you, paw the ground, and whine. we loved it. i thought he was very smart. he never, ever tried the nagging unless the sun were out. no, pooper scooping wasn't easy. sometimes i think that in our quests to have wonderful dogs that make a good name for the breed, we just plain worry too much.

[Emma]

Hello Judy V. Thank you for your input. My worry over Resor's Shadow chasing came from the fact that he had 4 owners before he was 8 months old and barely escaped a serious apartment fire. I am very relieved to find out that this is just a game and not some side effect from his very traumatic begginings. Resor is a pleasure to have around and we encourage his shadow chasing now instead of trying to stop it. I am glad that there is a forum like this that helps novice dog owners get great answers to their questions.

[This message has been edited by Emma (edited March 31, 1999).]

[Suzanne]

FLASHLIGHTS!!!???

Hahaha...If he sees you go into the drawer where the flashlight is, Toby's ready!

We have a friend who used to attach one of those small flashlights to Toby's collar and then let him go...in the basement of my parents' house...it's a HUGE, open room. WHAT A RIOT!!!!!

I also used to help him get exercise at night by standing on the deck while Toby was in the yard down below me. The height it gave me let me span the whole back yard which is pretty big. LOL!!! He'd just run and run and run...

These dogs are TOO MUCH!!!
ps...Emma, I'm so glad you asked this question. Now you're not quelching Resor's desire to laugh and make you laugh.
suzanne

[Killfactor]

Jade's nickname is Shadow Chaser. I had a friend with a Rott, who chased the light from the fridge when the door opened. I got Jade, and was curious, so I broke out the flashlight, the chase was on. She will now "Hunt" shadows, god forbid we try to wrap something in aluminum foil after dinner, the reflection from the light gets her up out of her pillow like its the last light she'll see.