Using a laser pointer to keep a dog active is common.
Dog owners use this as a simple way to ensure the dog stays fresh and moves around throughout the day. If it is snowing outdoors, using a laser pointer is often noted for exercising the dog.
While all of this is true, it’s important to realize why laser pointers are not good for dogs.
Laser points can cause dogs to develop OCD symptoms due to the neverending loop of chasing the red dot without closure. Since there’s nothing to trap or catch, the dog becomes obsessed with the laser pointer even when it’s turned off. This is why laser pointers are bad for dogs.
It’s highly recommended to implement a safer solution if the laser pointer ruined your dog.
This article will provide a step-by-step solution on how to help a dog that is bothered by a laser pointer at home.
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How To Help A Dog Bothered By Laser Pointer
1. Immediately Stop Using The Laser Pointer
Laser pointer syndrome in dogs is common.
The symptoms associated with this condition include dogs continually chasing after the non-existent red dot. This occurs even when you put the laser pointer away to the point a dog can’t function.
Due to this being a reality, it’s important to immediately stop using the laser pointer around your dog.
The symptoms will continue to get worse if you persist with this type of activity.
You don’t want laser pointer syndrome symptoms to start affective all aspects of your dog’s life. It’s essential to take the time to remove the laser pointer from the dog’s life and let it focus on other things.
The more you use a laser pointer on your dog, the worse its symptoms will get. This is a common concern and it’s something that will confuse the dog. Training a dog with a laser pointer is not a good idea.
It’s best to put the laser pointer away and look at other forms of play for your pet.
2. Use Treats On A String To Initiate Prey Drive
Since dogs like to hunt and chase after moving objects, why not use something they can grab a hold of?
The main concern for dogs chasing laser pointers has to do with never feeling like they achieved anything. They can’t grab onto the red dot, so it continues to move until it disappears.
This confuses dogs because it’s unnatural to them.
To reset their mind, you will want to attach a dog treat to the end of a piece of string. The goal is to wave the string around the dog and let it catch the treat. This will provide a sense of achievement to the dog and it will begin to relax.
You will have to do this for weeks until the dog’s symptoms settle down.
3. Take The Dog Outdoors
You should look to take the dog outdoors.
The goal is to let the dog run around and initiate its prey drive without having to worry about the object disappearing.
This can even be something as simple as taking the dog to a local park to play fetch. Just let the dog do something where it can see results when it’s time to play.
4. Stay Consistent
Using a laser pointer for dogs is unsafe because of the effect it can have.
The goal should be to stay consistent with your efforts. This means not using the laser pointer ever again and implementing the tips that have been made.
These tips go a long way in resetting the dog’s mind and ensuring it gets over the effects of a laser pointer.
Your goal should be to come up with a plan and ensure the dog’s OCD symptoms go away. This is a must if you want to keep the dog psychologically healthy.
Final Thoughts
These are the tips to consider if a laser pointer harmed your dog.
Dogs can be harmed by a laser pointer due to the feeling of not accomplishing anything. They run after the red laser, try catching it, and never get to it. This is frustrating for dogs and overstimulates them to the point of developing OCD symptoms. This includes looking for the red laser even when you turned it off.
This is why it’s important to avoid using laser pointers near a dog. It’s not an ideal way to play with your dog.
Look at playing fetch or other games that are easier for the dog to deal with physically and psychologically. Laser pointers do not offer the benefits that are needed to keep a dog in good shape.
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