Jessa Posted April 10, 2016 Share Posted April 10, 2016 I discovered last night that BB is totally into the laser pointer. I was playing with the cats with it and next thing I know, she bumps her head into the babygate and REALLY wants in to get it. So I go into her space and let her chase it around for awhile. My question is, her play seemed more like prey drive with the laser pointer, compared to when she does zoomies and throws her stuffies around- will she want to go after the cats? She was interested in one of them last night after I put the pointer away, and perked her ears at the cat when he jumped the gate and moved like she was going to stand up off her bed. I immediately corrected her. So far she has been very low prey drive and still won't make eye contact with a cat, but I don't want to possibly teach her it's okay for her to 'hunt' things inside the house, if that's a possibility? Should I ditch the laser pointer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercsmom Posted April 10, 2016 Share Posted April 10, 2016 I won't pretend to have an intelligent opinion on this but I can direct you to an interesting discussion on GT Facebook site with just such a topic. The idea of whether you can inadvertently encourage rey drive through other types of play. Quote Momma to Jupiter. Mummy to my Bridge Angels, Mercury and Liberty, the world's best blackngreylabhound Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racindog Posted April 10, 2016 Share Posted April 10, 2016 Yes. If you 'fire them up' and stoke their prey drive it will carry over to other outlets as well. You are building frustration. They will find an outlet for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessa Posted April 10, 2016 Author Share Posted April 10, 2016 ^ That was what I was thinking after seeing her behavior, thank you! I had no idea she would even show interest in the pointer, I had never seen a dog go after one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krissy Posted April 10, 2016 Share Posted April 10, 2016 Laser pointers are a bad idea. They promote frustration because they are uncatchable. Some animals are okay with this, but in many it leads to frustration at best and OCD at worst. Giving a dog an outlet for some prey drive doesn't necessarily carry over to make the dog unsafe with small creatures, but I think frustration at not being able to finish the natural progression of that drive could lead the dog to see an alternative she wouldn't normally see (cats). I play tug, disc, and other games that rely on my dog's innate prey drive. She is perfectly safe with our rabbits. But that chase drive is always rewarded with the natural progression of catching her tug or the disc and getting to play with it. My opinion, throw the laser away. Quote Kristie and the Apex Agility Greyhounds: Kili (ATChC AgMCh Lakilanni Where Eagles Fly RN IP MSCDC MTRDC ExS Bronze ExJ Bronze ) and Kenna (Lakilanni Kiss The Sky RN MADC MJDC AGDC AGEx AGExJ). Waiting at the Bridge: Retired racer Summit (Bbf Dropout) May 5, 2005-Jan 30, 2019 Like us on Facebook! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest xengab Posted April 11, 2016 Share Posted April 11, 2016 Keep the laser pointer for the cats only, AND make sure they actually CATCH something at the end as it can cause them to become very neurotic. Put the red dot ON another toy, let cat catch that toy and thus they think they caught the red dot too.. I've heard a few stories of dogs needing behavorists after these laser pointers become an obsession with them. Sight hounds wont be fooled or placated like cats will. You're best at playing with real attainable toys. My grey has very little prey drive but loves playing with balls, frisbees and squeaker toys. He watches our cat play and race through the house without any interest at all. He has seen the laser moving around and makes no move to get it or even watch it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeylasMom Posted April 13, 2016 Share Posted April 13, 2016 (edited) Just no to the laser pointer! I am a dog trainer and do behavior consults. It can lead to OCD and OCD, once it develops is often not treatable, just manageable with medication. I wouldn't do it with your cat either. If your cat likes to chase, a flirt pole is a good option. Dogs love them to. The difference - aside from it not being light of course, but an actual object - is that you can and should let them catch it. Its a great way to then play tug with your dog too. For the dog: https://www.chewy.com/outward-hound-tail-teaser-refill-pet/dp/113717?dept=dog&utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=hg&utm_content=Outward%20Hound&utm_term=&gclid=Cj0KEQjw3Le4BRDxx5bk4aDn9t4BEiQAfmxQGShO5GGB7IFX2PeYGTjrIgdkljIuy9i8dGgBanhr598aAkE38P8HAQ For the cat: http://m.petsmart.com/h5/hub?id=cat%2Ftoys%2Fjackson-galaxy-trade-air-prey-wand-cat-toy-zid36-5246726%2Fcat-36-catid-200021 Edited April 13, 2016 by NeylasMom Quote Jen, CPDT-KA with Zuri, lab in a greyhound suit, Violet, formerly known as Faith, Skye, the permanent puppy, Cisco, resident cat, and my baby girl Neyla, forever in my heart "The great thing about science is that you're free to disagree with it, but you'll be wrong." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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