One of my two dogs is named Turbo, he's a great dog but a little goofy. He absolutely LOVES flashlights. I try not to tease him because he literally goes nuts when a flashlight is turned on, but when I need to use a light I use it (duh).
Here's the story. He can be asleep 20 feet away from me and if I click on a light he hears the "click" and jumps up, runs over near me to see what I am lighting up, and then proceeds to go on "high boost" and run all over the house with a few barks thrown in for good measure. It's really funny actually.
My dogs don't react to flashlights. tried to place it in the floor with lights on and no reaction but the puppy grabbed the light like a bone and off she goes.
walks involve flashlights, so flashlights = walks, therefore flashlights are a reason to get excited. Especially if the lights are held by people who are putting on sports shoes and jackets.