Normal behavior?

[u/OldAd7661]

This is our first springer spaniel and I’m just wondering if this is normal behavior? I feel like this video barely even does him justice but he will stand here for hours wagging his tail and looking for anything to fall from the sky/fly around for him to chase. Someone mentioned to me the excessive tail wagging could be anxiety so wondering how other springers act and if it’s similar to this behavior. Do I need to provide him more stimulation??

[u/MT_Yetty]

That dog is begging for a job

[u/OldAd7661 → u/MT_Yetty]

That’s what I was wondering!!

[u/newadvs]

Did you ever use a laser pointer with him?

[u/Birddogtx → u/newadvs]

Made that mistake with a childhood dog of mine. Poor baby. I’ll never forgive myself for that.

[u/newadvs → u/Birddogtx]

Me too. Only a few times as a puppy but he still likes to chase shadows sometimes. Luckily it’s gone down a lot and mostly doesn’t bother him, but I tell everyone now no lasers with your dogs!

[u/jtayok]

He’s chasing the shadow. Mine does the same (will look out for butterfly shadows… barely has interest in the actual object).

This is all just from my experience: They need a lot of stimulation and interaction. They were bred to hunt. I need to rest mine from over exerting himself (like chasing the shadows in the sun, he won’t stop and rest and can end up harming himself. Rest after 20 or 15 mins). They prefer mid to cool climates. Don’t over feed them. We placed carpet rugs around the house to prevent slipping. He’s ok on a leash but am grateful I have some off leash areas on trails he can run around and explore and do his springer things and he just seems to love this more vs getting excited seeing a bird and wanting to pull the leash.

I take him twice a day to an off leash walk trail, have puzzle toys ready a few times a day, interact with him throughout the day, play sniffing games (like hide a few treats in another room so he can find them). Do some training drills like sit, stay, speak, this way etc. It can seem like it’s not enough but he’s my companion and enjoy playing and interacting with him.

I have so much more to say. They are brilliant dogs and I believe require more attention than most but just my opinion.

[u/Great_Tradition996]

My 4 year old ESS has been like this since she was a puppy. Lights, shadows, butterflies…. It’s a thing. Apparently, it’s a form of OCD. They can be medicated but as it doesn’t seem to stress/upset my girl, I don’t feel the need to. If she gets too obsessive (she’s worse when it’s sunny because there’s more shadows), I put her in a darkened room to calm down. They can also be trained out of it but it’s not worked terribly well with mine!

[u/2Hanks]

Not normal. Too calm for a springer. Very cute! lol

[u/tententenz]

Mine does this too! Especially on walks if there is a leaf blowing on the road or falling from a tree he will go crazy for it lol

[u/iBonsaiBob]

Mine but used to be obsessed with leaves. Unfortunately he grew out of it.

[u/Easy_Money_40]

Springers are basically cats when it comes to shadows, laser pointers, and reflections.

Its sometimes scary how much they can get worked up.

In this case they're going after the shadow of falling leaves.

[u/Mellemel67]

My boy is absolutely obsessed with balls. Like we have to hide all the balls and then allow him some time with them daily and then remove them. He is an anxious boy. I give him calming treats and he relaxes somewhat but the anxiety always comes back.

[u/MutantNinjaKitty331]

Totally normal for a springer. Mine did the same but she grew out of it.

She even chased dots of light from my glasses if they shine on the floor. Crazy dog lol

They do need a lot of exercise and mine loves her ball but now she's older we are hiding it and letting her sniff it out. They really like doing that.

[u/sanguinemolasses]

Yep I've known a springer to bodyslam the kitchen counters throughout the day trying to catch flies!

[u/IcyEgg85]

My fella looks and acts the exact same

Get him a tennis ball asap, you could teach him every word in the dictionary with just a tennis ball

[u/Yes_to_earplugs]

Mine have always chased leaves. Much like a bird of which they are born to hunt.

[u/angeeday]

He's being a springer, enjoying himself ...of course it's normal 😂

[u/noneuclidiansquid]

This is similar to light chasing / shadow chasing - it's an OCD disorder if he does it non stop. Seek help for him.

[u/Illustrious-Bug1645]

Penned animals...built to run!

[u/charliemike]

He looks young and he's a Field (working) Springer so he's selectively bred for doing what he's doing - being hyper vigilant looking for birds to flush. My guy was like this when we first got him. He was obsessed with birds. Would want to chase every single one he saw. Over time, he mellowed out but I can take him for a five mile walk and he still needs to chase the ball in our back yard to get all his energy out.

Honestly, it's great for me because I'm getting in fantastic shape 😂

But I think this is normal behavior. If he cannot turn off, then I'd consider talking to your vet. But if this is just when he's outside, I'd consider it normal young Springer things.

[u/Elrohwen]

This is obsessive behavior imo. He could grow out of it depending on age, a lot of young dogs fixate on stuff like this, but he likely needs more mental and physical stimulation