How can I teach my dog to play?

My dog is a rescue from a hoarder situation and she doesn't understand how to play. Most toys scare her or, as in the case of balls, just baffle her. I have never seen a dog so uninterested in fetching or playing. The problem is, she gets bored and then barks at us, usually when we are sleeping, to get up and entertain her. Do you have any suggestions of resources to teach her to play?

  Topic Pets Subtopic Dog Ownership
3 Years 2 Answers 1.8k views

Jennifer Franklin

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Answers ( 2 )

 
  1. J Starr 4425 Accepted Answer

    Try treat puzzle toys-  these are balls, or boxes or some other shape that you place treats into, and then the dog has a frustratingly fun time getting the treats out.

    Here's one from Chewy:  https://www.chewy.com/busy-buddy-kibble-nibble-treat/dp/48817?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=hg&utm_content=Busy%20Buddy&utm_term=&gclid=CjwKCAjw_Y_8BRBiEiwA5MCBJja51s4Z7dPU4pb2AhJ-OpbKglSZKfSuhujltge98r9QmJ8tvMuMahoCfVwQAvD_BwE


    Kong has nice ones, too: https://www.petsmart.com/dog/toys/interactive-toys/kong-classic-dog-toy---treat-dispensing-9814.html?cgid=100477


    Once your dog learns to get the treat, take an old sock, and put a treat or two in it, and start playing keep away and tug of war.  Don't start with the sock-  you want her to be able to entertain herself with a toy if you are not available. The sock is to teach her to play. The treat inside is her reward for playing

    Once she gets it, find one of the rope toys in her size, and play tug of war-  just like with the sock.  But, with the rope, the reward is playing, itself.  And, of course, your praise and delight.  She will love those even more than any treats.


    She may never fetch.  I have five dogs, and only two will fetch-  only one of those will bring it back.  The three who do not are a shih tzu who is disinterested in wasting calories, and a catahoula who doesn't think it is anything fun.  Far better to chase us or the other dogs, for her. The third is an English Mastiff who would love to fetch, but if he gets to the ball, ends up chewing it like a giant wad of bubble gum, at which point, no one wants to play with it anymore, at all. 

    But the way you teach her anything, is through reward.  Coming from a hording situation, she is probably food oriented, and affection oriented.  Use those two interactions as reward whenever she does anything you have asked her to do... 

    UTC 2020-10-12 10:35 PM 0 Comments
  2. Thank you J, for this great answer.


    When we first got her she was so timid, she didn't even want food or treats, but luckily she has become very food and treat motivated! I appreciate your step-by-step instructions. My last dog was super smart (Lab/Golden mix) and very trainable through exercise, consistency, and a lot of practice, but this one is so different and skittish, I have gotten rusty with my dog training skills. I will try one of those treat puzzles for sure.

    UTC 2020-10-12 11:18 PM 0 Comments

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