When a dog finds a shaking spot, there is nothing more important in the world than catching this spot. Unfortunately, this sloshing light spot is a massless photon beam that cannot be captured. In fact, constantly chasing the light spot may eventually interfere with the dog’s brain.
The animal behavior professor at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University pointed out that dogs (or some cats) instinctively chase bright light spots, just because these light spots move. Moving light spots will stimulate their innate hunting instincts, which explains why animals such as rodents and rabbits at the lower end of the food chain will adopt a survival strategy when they are in danger.
Although the dog does not have the ability to distinguish colors, the dog’s eyes contain a type of photosensitive cells called rod cells that can detect movements. The constantly moving laser pointer beam is the key to this predatory nature. They can’t control themselves, they just keep chasing the laser.
However, should we use this method to stimulate their predatory instincts? Maybe this is not a good idea. Experts say that dogs will become very excited because of their instincts. Once they start chasing light spots, they can’t control themselves to stop. The professor regards the dog’s chasing behavior as a pathology.
Scientists explained that if the alert dogs were not rewarded, it would make them very frizzy. Similarly, if police dogs looking for bombs and drugs never find bombs or drugs, their psychology will be disturbed.
For pets who love chasing, real toys will be a solution. Scientists say that a flexible “treatment ball” is a good choice. When the dog is chasing, food is released in the crack of the ball, so they can get the corresponding reward, which is very close to the real hunting scene. This is better than releasing a box of mice in the living room and using this to simulate a hunting scene.
If you insist on shaking a bunch of green laser pointer on the floor, then hide the food in a corner or crack of the room, and then occasionally illuminate the food hiding place to surprise them.