Animal Welfare Professionals

Hi there,
We recently placed a sweet dog in a foster family and she came back a couple days later. The lady mentioned that the dog started to act strangely to light and shadows and was ''disconnected'' from her surroundings. She didn't feel secured at all and brought her back. She mentioned that the dog was always looking around her, on the walls, the windows, like she was scared that a light or shadow would appear. This behavior was never seen at the shelter, but we had her for a couple days only. 

Now that she's back, we are seeing the behavior; running after lights, always looking at walls/ceilings in case there's something, scared of going back in her enclosure because she sees her shadow. When she goes into ''chase the light'' mode, it seems there's nothing we can do to have her attention and we're not super comfortable putting her back up for adoption at the time. 

Video 1

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Did any of you ever experience this ? If so, what was the outcome ? How did you work with that issue ?
Thank you

Hi, Melanie!

What a sweet pup! This is a behavior that requires a veterinarian's or veterinary behaviorist's support -- though you may find a helpful overview on what you will cover together or how to get started in these resources:

https://positively.com/dog-training/article/behavior-problems-light-chasing

https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&catId=102897&id=11526425

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Heather Kalman (she/her), CPDT-KA, SBA, ABCDT
Research and Development Data Coordinator
American Pets Alive!, Human Animal Support Services
FL
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I have seen this before in a perfectly normal, happy, friendly, best dog ever.  He loves to watch doors open because the light flashes and he tries to catch the light.  He loves to watch the flashes of light thrown from crystals hanging in a window.  It's a game, no different to fetch, except he never catches the light.  It's like laser toys for cats. It's like watching and waiting for squirrels - you never know when the door will open and that pesky flash will run across the path.  Just like sitting under the tree waiting for that squirrel, or waiting for the rabbit to come out of its hole, the focus can be intense, and getting the dog's attention might take a little work, at first.  The dog I know also plays fetch, he loves to run, he's great at swimming and kayaking, he gives good kisses, loves cuddles, is fantastic around other animals and all people, and he is a perfectly well behaved and loving companion dog, without any issue whatsoever, and he is also super smart.

I think the impact of light is not sufficiently considered when trying to figure out behaviors.  The sun shines through our shelter windows and the kennel bars cast shadows, which move as the sun moves.  This can be confusing and disconcerting to dogs, which can be upsetting, which may lead to different and "unexplained" behavior.  The changing of light isn't something we people even think about, really, and if we do, we understand it, whereas a dog does not.  I think learning from Temple Grandin would be a good suggestion.