My 5 year old dog obsessively chases reflections and lights. His breeder used laser lights to exercise and tire out the puppies. Any help would be appreciated.

I have a 5 year old intact male sporting dog (Pointer). We got him when he was around 12 weeks old. Since day one he light chased. The breeder use a laser light for the puppies to chase to tire them out. Anytime there is a light reflection he will sit and stare at it, wagging his tail and whining. If the light reflection moves, he chases it and repeats the behavior.

We have tried increasing his mental and physical exercise, but this actually makes him really snappy towards us, so we have found the right balance for this.

He also has other behaviors, such as, when out walking off a lead he will pounce like a fox and pull out the grass/mud out the ground with his mouth. He used to do this in our garden but we fenced it off so he couldn't do it.

He is generally an anxious dog, doesn't like being left alone and will paw his water bowl and catch the dripping water.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Many Thanks

Cindy's Answer

I'm sorry you have to deal with this, I've seen other dogs with obsessive shadow and light chasing and it creates a very emotionally unhealthy state of mind (as you know)

Do you have an option to meet with a veterinary behaviorist? Whether he would be a candidate for some type of management/training paired with short-term use of medication is something I would look into. At 5 years old I don't know that anything I can suggest will help.

That breeder should be educated on how to properly offer healthy outlets for puppies, laser lights are a terrible idea.