Many dogs spend most of their time chasing shadows or lights, they don't pay attention to anything else, they seem obsessed and that's really what is it so. Seeing a dog chase or bark in the shadows may seem funny or humorous, but it is not. It could be the start of a serious problem, if it isn't already.
In this article on our site we tell you why a dog chases shadows, how serious this problem is and what solutions you can find to improve your well-being and stop this behavior.
Compulsive behaviors in dogs
Compulsive behavior describes the repetitive and unvarying urge to perform a behavior. A dog exhibiting obsessive behavior engages in one or more behaviors continuously, interfering with her daily routine. All the behaviors he performs don't seem to have any senseor purpose, but he seems to need to do it anyway. Some dogs spend almost all of their waking hours doing these activities, repetitively. In some extreme cases, they can lose weight, experience exhaustion, and even be physically injured.
Dogs display different types of obsessive behaviors, such as circling, tail chasing, biting, barking, chasing lights and shadows, licking his body excessively and having a fixation on toys. It's important to note that he althy dogs also engage in these behaviors, such as barking and licking, but they usually do so in response to specific triggers, meaning they do it for an obvious reason.
Why do some dogs chase shadows?
Shadow chasing can be the result of anxiety or frustration Dogs that live in small spaces, don't walk enough, or don't have mental stimuli are prone to compulsive behavior problems. In most cases, a dog that chases shadows does not receive enough physical or mental stimuliThe dog may see the shadow as an element of play, to which he it can catch, but since it is only a shadow, this will never happen. As a result, levels of frustration and anxiety increase.
As we already know, dogs are sensitive beings that, faced with any change that occurs in the home, can lose emotional stability. Moving to a new house, the appearance of a new member in the family or feeling emotionally abandoned can cause the dog to start showing strange behaviors. What starts as a simple game can become obsessive if not corrected in time.
If you think your dog is starting to show the first signs of this behavior problem you should try to modify the environment For example, no letting curtains blow in the wind or avoiding objects that might reflect light, as this can contribute to your anxiety state. A dog obsessed with shadows and reflections, who spends the day chasing them, can become exhausted and even stop sleeping. At a certain point, it's best to go to a professional
On the other hand, there are breeds predisposed to this behaviour, such as sheepdogs. Their instinct can force them to try to gather all the shadows in order to control them. Many other active dogs need agility drills to stimulate their active personalities. Walking and exercising with them can improve their level of anxiety, also increasing the level of relationship we have with our pet. It is very important never to scold or punish a dog with this problem, because we will achieve the opposite of what we want.
Fear of Shadows
Fear reactions are governed by the flight or fight responses of the brain and are self-preservation reactions, that is, keeping us alive And they are instinctive. An animal can be afraid due to past experiences (trauma), fears based on lack of experience (lack of socialization) or be inherited (based on genetics).
In dogs, fear of shadows is generally due to incorrect socialization or lack of it. Puppies experience "periods of fears". These periods only last a month or two, but you can go through more than one at a time. It is very important not to force them in certain situations, we must always show ourselves calm and confident and let them solve the situation themselves.
For a dog to successfully overcome these periods, it is essential to expose them during the sensitive period (age of the animal in which it is more receptive to all the stimuli that surround it and are more capable of learning) to people of different ages, dogs of different sizes, animals other than dogs, different sounds and smells, etc. In adult dogs, you should work with a professional specialized in behavior modification.
How to stop a dog from chasing shadows?
In this section we give you some tips to help your dog stop chasing shadows:
- Reinforce your dog in controlled environments:Avoiding the stimulus can help solve the problem, as the dog will be more rested. Therefore, one of the things you can do is to spend more time with him in dimly lit rooms and at the same time reward his tranquility with treats, caresses, etc.
- Blackout curtains: Using blackout curtains in rooms where the dog spends more time can also help reduce the number of shadows in the environment.
- Save Reflective Objects – Until you get the problem under control, storing reflective objects will reduce the amount of shadows, which will reduce the stress and chasing behavior.
- Distract: When you see shadows appear, try distracting him with a new toy or something that catches his attention.
- Daily Routine & Exercise: Increases the amount of exercise the dog gets each day. It is really important that the dog follows a daily exercise routine. A minimum of three hours spread over two or three times a day. Long walks with your dog will make your ties closer, you will be more united and you will be happier. You can also play games of search, which develop their sense of smell and keep their brain active.
If you cannot distract your dog under any circumstances and none of the advice seems to improve the situation, we advise you to see an ethologist, that is, a specialized veterinarian in ethology to assess the seriousness of the case, carry out behavior modification sessions and start, if necessary, pharmacological treatment.
