Lately I've been exercising my dog by making him chase a laser pointer. Initially I thought this was brilliant and mutually beneficial. He gets exercise and I don't have to walk him and pick up his feces. But now he literally spends all his time looking around for that red dot. He stares at me like I'm his dealer...waiting to give him his fix. Our relationship is broken. I've turned my dog into an addict. He needs help. Anyone have experience with this predicament? Any recommendations on canin behaviour therapists or good psychological veterinarians that can help?

Thanks!

1/12/2014 1:41:41 PM

Shoot the owner.

Profit.

1/12/2014 1:47:28 PM

tape laser to ceiling fan, turn on low. profit.

1/12/2014 2:07:25 PM

Hey guys, you clicked this thread in the lounge. Lets be serious. This topic is critical.

[Edited on January 12, 2014 at 2:40 PM. Reason : bed serious]

1/12/2014 2:39:19 PM

i've heard about other people who have had this happen. off the top of my head my first guess is to try and replace it with actual toys or something else he will start to chase and have real contact with, if he will respond.

1/12/2014 2:40:55 PM

Thanks!

But I was really looking for specific clinical professionals. Any ideas?



[Edited on January 12, 2014 at 3:52 PM. Reason : yup]

1/12/2014 3:48:07 PM

troll thread is trolly.

1/12/2014 9:14:43 PM

I realize this thread is about your dog and a laser pointer, but hear me out-maybe I can offer some insight.

I am in outside sales, which is currently salary+commission, but will move into straight commission starting at the beginning of July 2010. I have been in this position since July 2009. I have competition from several direct manufacturing sales reps, large distributors, and local distributors. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of each:

Direct Advantages: Immediate knowledge of new technology, no middle man mark up, one shipping bill (paid by manufacturer or buyer of goods), access to larger range of non-commodity items, control inventory, have access to many distributors that can effectively sell their goods which increases market share, and set prices of commodity they manufacture.

Direct disadvantages: Typically have 1-3 sales reps per region (i.e. southeast, mid-atlantic, northeast, etc.) limiting the number of accounts they can successfully manage/cold-call, lack physical customer service or physical technical service available to or affordable for smaller users or altogether, are sometimes not trustworthy because they will go in behind their distributors that sell their commodity to one account in large quantities (i.e. they missed a big account, and have found out about it through a distributor selling their particular product) which leads to the distributor not selling their product anymore, have too many distributors selling the product ultimately driving the set price down through deviations, possibly rely on distributors to actually sell the product, and competition from other direct sources.

Large distributor advantages: have access to other commodities that go hand in hand with other manufacturers (poor example- grocery stores sell milk as well as cereal), get direct pricing, many locations regionally or nationally easing the shipping burden of buyers with multiple locations, personal service either customer or technical, many sales reps that are able to cover a broader territory, access to multiple manufacturers of the same commodity allowing to keep prices in check, service programs that smaller companies can't offer and direct providers can't match in price or value, and experts of many many commodities as opposed to one or a few.

Large distributor disadvantages: smaller local distributors creating price wars (think Michael Scott Paper Co vs Dunder-Mifflin), direct mfg's going in behind and stealing business, limited access to all of the mfg's (you won't find Harris Teeter name brands in Food Lion and visa versa), can't truly set prices because it's based on both supply and demand, territory management, and tough growth prospects in slower economies (this is true for direct as well really)

Local distributor advantages: Typically a good ol' boy setting where the seller and the buyer know each other for years (this does happen at all levels, but mostly at the local level), local folks are right down the street and can be used in emergencies, if the local guy buys at high enough volumes then there is no shipping charge to the end user, and access to both direct mfg's and large distributors.

Local distributor disadvantages: easily beaten in price, array of commodities, array of technology, lack of trained staff, low cash flow, etc etc etc.

This is what I have noticed in my six months, I am sure there are plenty more that need mentioning. The way I am setting myself apart as a sales person is this: I go after the big accounts right now while I am new. The big accounts, if I land them, will take care of me while I am new and building a customer base. The money made off of those allows me to focus free time on smaller accounts that get me higher margins. I build up big accounts, I would like to have 5-10 of these, then get 20-30 medium accounts. If I lose 1 or 2 big accounts, the 20-30 medium accounts keep me afloat while I go after new big accounts. I don't really waste time on small accounts simply because they basically pay for breakfast or something really small.

I will say this, if you can't get a big account in the first 6-8 months (assuming you have cash flow that you can ride this long) you could be in a world of trouble. If you can get one, it will really make going after the others a lot more enjoyable and less stressful. It's simply just very exhausting wasting any time on anything other than big accounts in the very beginning. You work just as hard on the medium sized accounts and see 1/3 to 1/36 of the money in my situation.

If you have any other questions, you can PM me. I hope this helps in the slightest!

[Edited on January 12, 2014 at 9:18 PM. Reason : your dog will get over it.]

1/12/2014 9:17:28 PM

The trolling in this thread is kind of ridiculous, this is the Lounge people.

As for your dog, if you want to talk to a clinical specialist, I would take him to one and not seek advice on TWW.

Laser pointers are really bad for dogs, especially if you've got a hunting breed. Cats are interested in the hunt, the kill is usually less important which is why laser pointers are so great for them.
Dogs on the other hand are less interested in the chase, and more the kill. That's why so many exercises with dogs involve them catching or retrieving the toy. If you introduce a dog to a game where the only activity is the chase, it will eventually drive them nuts since they never get their "kill"

I would throw the laser pointer away immediately and try to entice your dog into playing fetch, or tug of war (let him win some). If its really bad, talk to your vet or a trainer that has experience with canine neurosis.

1/12/2014 9:35:44 PM

http://www.wag.com/cat/p/frolicat-dart-duo-interactive-toy-842203?site=CA&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc_W&utm_term=RAD-370&utm_campaign=GooglePLA&CAWELAID=1932312203&utm_content=pla&ca_sku=RAD-370&ca_gpa=pla&ca_kw={keyword}

1/13/2014 10:58:11 AM

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/cae2/?srp=2

http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/dcd0/?srp=1


Although I don't see how chasing a laser pointer would get a dog more exercise than walking.

1/13/2014 11:14:42 AM

dogs have short memories, don't use it and he'll forget about it. bonus points if you use something else to distract it (as mentioned above).

1/13/2014 11:18:24 AM

Neurosis is not an issue of memory. If you play with these long enough with a dog, you can create irreversible psychotic behavior in a dog.

Google "Dog's and laser pointers" and you'll see plenty of articles, blogs and forums about why this is an awful idea.

1/13/2014 11:44:42 AM

it's so funny to watch them chase the dot.

1/13/2014 11:48:59 AM

Is it similar to what happens when you have a working dog without a job? Like border collie who go crazy without having to herd?

1/13/2014 11:50:18 AM

Quote :

"The trolling in this thread is kind of ridiculous, this is the Lounge people."

Apparently you're not familiar with this user. Hint: check his post history.

1/13/2014 12:18:57 PM

time to call Caesar Milan

1/14/2014 12:37:01 PM

Quote :

"Is it similar to what happens when you have a working dog without a job? Like border collie who go crazy without having to herd? "

that is my problem, I have a belgian malinois. She is a beautiful and smart dog, but she is batshit crazy half the time.

1/14/2014 2:29:31 PM

lol@ this mug dmidkiff trolling in the lounge. What a fucking felchpuddle.

1/15/2014 12:53:31 AM

Have your vet script your dog the Xanax or Prozac reset button.

1/15/2014 11:22:53 AM

You reckon that will help?

My only problem is, he's already an addict...feeding him more drugs can't be a real solution.

I don't want to see him show up on an episode of Intervention. Or even worse, with the dog whisperer.

1/15/2014 11:50:59 PM

I learned a lot from this thread

1/15/2014 11:59:47 PM

Quote :

"Have your vet script your dog the Xanax or Prozac reset button."

is that common? how do you bring that up?

"yeah so my dog is super crazy and should really have physical activity all day, but in reality I have a job and can never EVER provide her enough exercise, even on days off"

on the plus side my dog is 5 and finally packed on a few pounds, which I normally would not support making your dog fat, it has slowed her down to a slightly less psychotic pace. (she doesn't constantly run in circles in the house at least)

1/16/2014 4:44:29 PM

I used to let my dog chase a RC helicopter around the house, he seemed to enjoy it (and like you, I thought it might be an easy way to exercise). But it made him a little bit weird and obsessed. So I stopped.

1/18/2014 11:23:00 AM

^^

1/18/2014 12:34:42 PM

stay out of this greenjay, it doesn't concern you

1/19/2014 12:51:53 PM

An LED Disco Ball should do the trick!

http://www.windycitynovelties.com/326811p/magic-light-up-disco-ball.html?utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_source=googlebase&gclid=CK6VjOTMjbwCFYNi7Aod0SoAGQ

1/20/2014 3:33:35 PM

3/11/2014 10:33:49 AM

I know there are varying opinions about the Caesar Milan, but... he's going to tell you to exercise the dog with a decent (30min+) walk EVERY DAY and pretty much find another activity to stimulate your dog's mind. (throw away the laser pointer) Try something that's conducive to the breed, but pretty much anything will work if you're consistent.

Short version:
Throw away the Laser Pointer
Walk/Run your dog EVERY DAY for 30 min+
Play fetch Often
Good things will happen.

3/11/2014 1:35:45 PM

I love Ricky Martin

4/5/2024 10:31:18 PM