Border Collie Shadow Obsession is observed in many collies where the dog focuses on shadows, reflections, and lights. Fixing attention to the lights and shadows, they tend to bite or chase it.
This obsession is explained as a Compulsive Behaviour. Compulsive behavior is repetitively doing a task to deal with anxiety, the urgent drive that forces one to perform a task again and again like a ritual.
Often this behavior is seen in herding and hunting breeds like German Shepherd, Australian Cattle Dog, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, and Australian Shepherd.
These dogs have instincts for chasing moving objects and moving lights. Compulsive behaviors can be mental and physical depending upon the dog’s breeding and history.
If not addressed in time, this behavior develops into a habit, affecting the dog’s quality of life.
Contents
Border Collie Shadow Obsession-why do border collies chase shadows?
Shadow chasing can start in the early puppy phase itself. They’ll just stare at the wall, the floor, and follow shadows around the house. This can go on for some minutes. Eventually this obsession develops into longer period of time.
This shadow obsession can badly affect their mind, so that they no longer pay any attention to the owner’s command or voice, even ignoring sleep and food.
Border Collie becomes frustrated when he fails to grab the shadow, which then eventually turns into a habit, and habit in turn becomes an obsession. This obsession gradually takes over the mind and body.
As time passes, border collies use this shadow chasing obsession as a means to cope with anxiety, over arousal, and emotional reaction. This obsession becomes their Coping Strategy.
For dogs, shadow chasing is the easiest and fastest way to do when they are not doing anything substantial as per their breed nature.
Let us discuss the causes for the Border Collie Shadow Obsession.
No Mental stimulation and Boredom
Due to the nature and instincts of herding, this breed is more prone to shadow chasing obsession. For a lot of centuries, border collies were bred specifically for herding.
Earlier they were rigorously working on farms and pastures herding sheep, and at the end of the day they were confined to dog crates. So there was no family drama and disturbances to the dog.
Now the time has changed, so do their needs on farms. Now collies are home pets and companions. They are not using their gift of herding anymore, instead they are bombarded with family dramas, shouting, children screaming, and what not.
Border Collies are not built for this. And they are seriously getting bored and tired of sitting around.All those trainings and long walks are not enough, unfortunately.
Sitting idle at home, they are attracted by every movement, light, reflection, and laser, like they are entertaining themselves. So, they find this obsession a pastime, engaging in it over and over again.
Anxiety
Your border collie can be dealing with anxiety and trying to find a way to get out of it. If he is not trained or socialized in the puppy phase, then lack of socialization can be the cause of anxiety.
The other reasons of anxiety are separation from the owner for some time, sudden loud noises, change in the environment, or he had been traumatized in the past by someone physically.
Now there can also be other signs like trembling, excessive barking, pacing, and restlessness. So in the time of anxiety, he also chooses shadow chasing, and while doing so, he starts to enjoy this thing because it takes the mind away from anxiety.
Eventually this obsession becomes Displacement Behavior, like an on off switch button. The moment the dog becomes idle, displacement behavior takes place and he starts following shadows.
Attention and Encouragement
Border Collies have a habit of staring at their owner’s face, ready to pounce on command. The owner, of course, can not give commands all the time. The dog gets bored, feeling like he has to do something, because to be busy is in his nature.
If the collie is not a working collie, then he tries to find ways to get the owner’s attention. And in that period he may find the urge or drive to chase shadows which keeps him occupied. This mostly happens with herding and hunting breeds.
In the second scenario, when the dog is engaged in shadow, the owner might laugh or point in the direction of the shadow, thinking it’s funny and amusing, to which the border collie reacts and thinks that his owner likes this.
This response acts like an encouragement to the collie, and the dog to this shadow chasing thing more and more to get owner’s attention and gets frustrate when he fails to catch the shadow.
The frustration makes the border collie work more to get a hold of the shadow, and then the owner ends up with a Border Collie Shadow Obsession problem.
Overstimulation
Overstimulation in simple terms is becoming too excited and active. Dogs of all breeds show overstimulation at some point of time, like when they are greeting someone, getting their favourite snack, or getting ready to go to their favourite park.
During this overstimulation, there is a strong emotional reaction by the dog and this stimulation can be negative as well. Negative stimulation comes due to bad experiences.
Most dogs are afraid of vet visits, they panic, show fear, or start sniffing aggressively. They even panic and tremble when a naughty child or an angry person enters the house, who can abuse them.
To tackle this overwhelming burden of emotions, whether it is positive or negative, they go for shadow chasing. Their brain may find the safe refuge in shadow obsession if they feel protected when they chase shadows.
Neurological Issue
Some cases can be attributed to neurological disorders rather than behavioural. Dogs tend to show abnormal behaviours with obsessive shadow chasing.
It can be a canine compulsive disorder where there are compulsive behaviours like excessive licking, tail chasing, and other repetitive actions. Or maybe a tumour or a head injury affecting the brain’s cognitive processing.
Senior dogs are more prone to dementia and end up showing confusion, fixation on objects, and repetitive behaviours. Dog in this state can ignore food, snap at some sudden movement or sound, tilt its head, and be unaware of the surroundings.
Genetic
Breeds of herding and hunting are more prone to Obsessive Compulsive Disorders(OCD), where they engage in repetitive and uncontrollable behaviour, just like we discussed in the neurological issue paragraph.
The dog finds it difficult to stop when it is trapped in the compulsive behavior. Again, this can happen due to anxiety, past traumas, neuro and chemical imbalances, or stress and anxiety.
All the frustration and anxiety increase more and more when he can’t catch the shadow, ending up doing more shadow chasing.
Border collie shadow obsession solution
Solution to this Border Collie Shadow Obsession can start at home itself. The owner can try to reduce anxiety and stress of the collie.
To help with the stimulation, using interactive enrichment like puzzle toys, brain games can help them stay occupied.
Not encouraging the behavior by the owner, and when the chasing starts, redirecting the dog’s behavior by calling them, offering them toys, and giving the command to leave it.
Providing a calm, protective environment to help the dog to relax and relieve and channeling the attention towards something entertaining like his favorite toy or treat.
Incorporating calm activities like lying down after walks or giving quiet time for himself.Ignoring unwanted behaviors and rewarding positive habits by giving some mental stimulations.
Taking on more outdoor activities to burn off the nervous energy and letting the dog gallop on its own in gardens or parks.
Making sure the curtains and windows are in a position to not to create shadows for the dogs.
And exposing the dog in a controlled and calm way to triggers to help him cope up gradually.
How do I stop my dog from being obsessed with shadows?
You can research and read articles. Taking medical help if required.
How do I get rid of my Border Collie energy?
Engaging in physical exercise and giving stimulation by giving puzzles and brain games.
Is Shadow Chasing bad for dogs?
Yes. It can lead to compulsive behavior in the long run.
Is chasing lights bad for dogs?
Yes. It becomes a habit affecting dog’s mind and quality of life.
Why do border collies chase shadows?
Please read our article.
Conclusion
You can try all the possible fails and still the issue remains the same. In the end, it is better to get medical help and consult a Canine Behaviorist.
In some cases, the dog cannot be helped by the owner and getting help from a canine behaviorist is necessary.
We have published our other articles, like a bed for collies, food for them, and guiding collies in the puppy phase. We hope you have liked our article, please share if you can.
