Shadow Chasing...

[manda99]

I'm wondering if anyone else has a freak for a dog like my roommate... (Oh, I love the dog but she is a freak! The dog, not the roommate)

This is what happens - Hurley (the dog, pitbull about 3 yrs old) will stare at the wall for HOURS chasing the shadows and just watching them. She also licks the walls while she is doing this. Or she will just watch the shadows on the couch and lick the couch. Or the shadows on the ground and lick the ground...

Anyone else have a freaky , yet so loveable, dog?

Thanks.

[kobieeli]

Whoaaaa! Freaky! My psycho dog Kobie does this too! Her "job" is to watch for glints of light and shadows, and to pounce on them when she sees them moving on the ground. She does this with birds, butterflies, and dragonflies that fly over the backyard (she never looks up to see the actual critter--only its shadow!), as well as with glints off of wristwatches, glass, mirrors, or anything shiny. She can occupy herself for hours doing this, if we'd let her. We don't, though, because we already think she's got a screw loose...why let her drive herself completely insane?

BTW, she's an ACD/Husky mix (we think) with a huge prey drive and a serious compulsion to guard the house. But she's a sweetie. You need to post a picture of your roommate's dog ASAP!

And finally, welcome to PetTalk! I grew up in beautiful San Diego (Poway, actually) and miss it sooooo much! Jackie with the Schnauzers (she'll probably be along soon) lives there too. :D

[Angels3]

Apparently, dogs chasing lights and shadows is not uncommon. I know the owner of a border collie who does that. Here's a good link that explains the behaviour & what to do about it.

http://www.dvmnewsmagazine.com/small/sab597.asp
Marie

[manda99]

Thanks for that link! It sounded just like Hurley... especially the part about the laser beam. Totally when she was a puppy! While she doesn't eat the places she chaces she does lick. And you should see her when I take out a CD to play. She's on it SO fast!

Anyway, glad to know she's not alone... I'll post a picture or her (and my 7 month old puppy - 7 months today, actually) as soon as I get some scanned.
Toodles!

[kobieeli]

Yes, Angel3, thanks for the link--although now I know that if Kobie's quirk gets worse she'll need some help from a doggie shrink. :( Thank goodness it's not a full blown obsession yet!

[Daisy's Mom]

Welcome to Pet Talk! My Basset Hound Daisy chases lights. My sisters and cousins think it's just hysterical to shine flashlights or laser pointers around, and she'd chase them forever! It's cute but so very pathetic! LOL

[Hbrika]

Odd when I click the link it says that the page no longer exists.

My pup Gully has just started chasing lights after a year with us. Weird that she never did it before?

I don't mind except that she barks too. Any ideas? The casino a few miles away has a big search light (which has been shining for years) and now she barks at it.

Its cute but not at 10pm before we go to bed ;D