Dogs Chasing Shadows

[dinga]

Hi All, I have just got a dog from a rescue centre. The previous owners apparently never took the dog out and left him in on his own all the time. He is doing great, considering I have only had him 24 hours. However, little problem...he is shadow chasing, to a point where he freaks out, barks and smashes into the wall. He watches the walls and ceiling, all the time to find one. it's really not funny and apart from doing himself an injury, he is not doing too much for my paint work! The rescue centre told me that was HIS way of entertaining himself, due to being kept in on his own. I do understand this but am not sure how to try and get him out of it. Any suggestions?? Thanks for any help.

[kita1]

How old is he (approx.)?

What breed, cross breed is he?

Sounds a typical collie type behaviour. He will come out of it in time, in the meantime try distracting him everytime you see him start to look for a shadow, try a treat or a toy (a squeeky toy might do it).

Try positive reinforcement first (praise him for paying attention to you instead of freaking out) rather than saying no or telling him off when he is actually in the act. I say this because you do not want him to get the idea that you are paying him attention every time he does this otherwise he may start doing it even more! It will take time, but hopefully once you start taking him out for walks etc. he will start to be more tired and feel more secure in your company.

Try and find a good dog training class in your area, even one course will help you bond and sort out any potential problems.

Good luck.

[lankeela]

Sound like obsessive compulsive disorder. As kita1 says, try distracting and giving him something to occupy him, chews, bones, toys.

If necessary keep his lead on, and get him to lay by your feet (or on your lap!). You can then reassure him and not allow him to keep chasing them.

It could also be a reaction to being rehomed, which might go away in a few days/weeks.

[Ladyshepherd]

Hi,

I, own a border collie that is a shadow chaser, acquired in 2006 at 3 years old, from a rescue centre. He is obsessed with shadows which mesmorize him in much the same way as a sheepdog with too much eye. The main difficulty is getting him to focus on me and not on the shadows. My dog was left all day in his previous home for 10 hours a day during the working week and I agree that the habit might have been a way of occupying himself when home alone. At some point, he has been well trained, so he probably did not always have this problem of lack of focus. I think that the shadow chasing could well be a coping mechanism when he is overwhelmed or in an unfamiliar environment.

Some beleive that the dog has been teased with torchlights or children's toy flaming swords and encouraged to chase the light and that it is a learnt behaviour. However, I have met other people with border collie shadow chasers that they have owned from puppies who can confirm that their dog has not been encouraged with torchlights, etc.

Car travel is problematic. When the car is stationery, he is quiet but as soon as the vehicle moves he barks continuously and tries to shadow chase as the light moves around the car. The noise is deafening and it difficult to do much about it because I have to concentrate on driving.

Originally, I had a plan to distract him by long walks and agility but the latter has not proved possible because of a leg injury that means he must not engage in high impact exercise. He has had two sheepdog assessments by experienced shepherds who both describe him as 'quirky' and exceptionally nice natured. He is naturally submissive and lacks confidence with other dogs apart from puppies and dogs he knows really well. Unfortunately, he is too nice and not assertive enough to make the grade as a sheepdog, an activity that I had hoped might distract him from shadow chasing.

I would be interested

[kcmoore]

Hey all,
I have a border collie that is 3 years old. She didn't start chasing Shadows until she was about a year and a half. What I have learned about this obsessive behavior is it is hard to get rid of but with basic commands you can pull your dogs attention away quickly. My dog is very close to me and as a border collie a smart dog. For instance when she starts liking me it usually means she wants to go out, needs food, or about ten other things. Often times I wouldn't know what she wanted and she would continue to lick and stare even after I got up. My solution was teaching her to "show me". Everytime I say show me she will run to a certain door in the house and sit and wait. For the shadow chasing I would say her name once nicely, second time I would say her name and to come, and if she still didn't listen I would lower my voice as if she were in trouble. She would come straight over and I make her lay next to me for about 2-3 minutes. If she continues to chase shadows I would put her outside or go throw a ball with her. Now if I notice shes chasing shadows by just saying her name she will walk over to me and lay down. My friends will try this method and she ignores them and continues to stare at the ground. The one suggestion I can give you about this breed is they are very responsive if you speak to them and they respect you. Form a bond with the dog so it respects you and it will come at your every command. Hope this helped a little.

[Stueyc]

NO!!! Don't offer treats or toys as this is simply rewarding the behaviour. He will get to a point where he will do it just to get a treat or a ball, so he has trained you. My rescue collie does this and I have reduced it masssively but will struggle to knock it on the head. Plenty of distraction when he does it, ideally as soon as he starts, quck sharp "ah ah!" will normally do, but don't ever rerward the behaviour with treats etc.