14/07/2022
Laser pointers and dogs donât mix!
âBut my dog plays with a laser pointer, and heâs fine!â
Iâm going to tell a story.
Years ago, I evaluated fairly young (under two) dog for their problems with light fixation. It was very severe- the glint of a ring off the floor, a camera flash, and so much more. Any flicker on a surface sent the dog into a frenzy.
Months prior, they played with their dog with a laser pointer. After one session, the dog paced and whined for over an hour after they put it away. After two sessions, the dog began light chasing, causing severe damage to their carpet, and they realized the huge mistake they made.
We set up some lessons. And days before their first lesson, they called to cancel. The dog had chased the reflection of car headlights across their living room and went straight through their large picture window. The dog did not survive its injuries.
The story is one that has haunted me for years, and while itâs the most extreme incident stemming from laser pointer play Iâve personally seen, itâs not remotely the only dog Iâve seen with severe issues from it.
In the wrong dog, playing with a laser pointer, flashlight, etc., can trigger behavioral problems shockingly fast in only a small handful of sessions.
âBut my dog loves it!â
Your dog may love it, but make no mistake, that is a matter of luck and nothing else. There is no lack of great toys out there to play with your dog that donât carry such extreme risk.
If I handed you a box of 100 dog treats, and said âyour dog will love 99 of these treats, but one of them could cost him his lifeâ, would you still give one to your dog?
Please do not expose your dog to laser lights or similar devices for play.