Ever use a laser pointer to entertain your dogs?

Wow!

I've never played with a laser light but I have seen them at the store.  I never would have guessed that they could be dangerous in any way other than being shone directly into eyes.  Along with Jewlieee I have learned something today.

Amazing what kinds of things can trigger behaviours, isn't it?

 Never tried one, but always wanted to see if Kirby would play with one.  After reading what it can trigger though I'm not going to.  He has enough little neurotic nuances without adding light obsession to the list.  Thanks to everyone who mentioned the warnings against them.  Never knew lasers could start up those sorts of problems.

Does anyone know whether or not the red lasers/lights are as much of a problem as the white lasers/lights?

Do dogs see color well enough to see a red light as prey and not associate that with white/yellow/grey/etc lighting?

 I don't know, but I have heard they can send cats crazy too so we don't use it for the cat anymore either.... One theory I have heard is that it's because it starts something in the brain, a sequence (stalk, chase, catch) which is  never completed - the dog/cat never gets to "catch" and it leaves them "switched on".... and THAT is meant to be what is harmful.  I don't know if I worded that right.  Don't know how accurate it is, but it's a thought.  If its true then I think it would mean that it wouldn't matter what colour the light was.  Maybe it would also mean that it is only unsafe for a certain "type" of dog - a dog with the "right" kind of drives?  Altho I agree, not worth the risk.

The color didn't matter to our JRT.  His first home used a red laser light to play with him and in fact gave it to me when I bought him.  Not realizing the extent of his obsession we played with him with the laser light.  It quickly became apparent that this was a big mistake.  He would literally spend hours sitting next to the desk where we kept it in a drawer.  We quit playing with it and it took a very long time for him to forget about it.  I later found out that his Dad was also crazy concerning the laser and also headlights and it became impossible for them to take him in the car at night.  I think JRT's are predisposed to OCD and I'm thinking some dogs could play with a laser and not become crazy but after our experience we will never use one again.

AuroraLove

Yup, 100% true. DH's coworker had a beautiful Doberman that became obsessed with shadows and rays of light. He would literally chase shadows for hours, couldnt focus on typical things and was unresponsive to calls by his owners. He's had to be heavily medicated for the past 2 years but its slowly getting better.

Its not worth the risk to me.

Unfortunately, dobies are know for being obsessive.  Bevo & I played with a laser pointer once.  For 3 days, he obsessed over  the floor, & watched the walls for signs of the little red dot.  I tossed the laser pointer after that.

Gracie gets totally wound up and enthralled with the laser, but we manage how much time she gets and when it's over, it is OVER.  A signal to let her know it's done, and the laser is put away.  She used to keep looking for it, but now knows the end is THE END.  She never gets going over any light other than the laser pointer (ie, never obsessed over sun spots, etc) but I have seen dobes in rescue who would - regardless if they ever had a laser pointer or not.  It's pretty sad.  In the last year, Gracie has only seen the laser about 2-3 times because of the warnings here.  I know her limits, but I don't want to push them as she ages, especially.

Chuffy

 I don't know, but I have heard they can send cats crazy too so we don't use it for the cat anymore either....

Good news for your kitties, I read somewhere that cats don't seem to develop obsessive compulsive syndromes from chasing lights. So the kitties can play.