my puppy won't play!

buddy balls or kongs are the best I can suggest. Most of mine do not just go play on their own. They'll play with another sheltie, no problem, but as far as picking up a toy, and just enjoying it without someone else to interact with? not happening
 
The treasure hunt in the yard is a great idea - I've done this with mine when she was too timid to venture out.

With my pup, I try to start the play and end the play BEFORE she looses interest. This doesn't always work, since she often will get distracted very quickly. When this happens, I say "take a break" and walk away for a few minutes. Then when she seems interested again, I say "let's play" and start the games again.

Treats also work great at getting a reluctant dog to follow someone "new" around the yard, someone other than "mom".

Before you leave for vacation, you could have your kids stand next to you while you play with your pup, and let them handle/throw/tug the toy a bit, so she learns that other people are fun to play with, too. I have to do this with my own kids, too, since my dog only likes to play with me.

I did have a second dog for a while and they played together quite a bit. Now that the older dog is gone, she doesn't really enjoy being out in the yard without a human with her. She stands on the step staring at the door, waiting for me to let her back in.
 
lotsahair said:
I did have a second dog for a while and they played together quite a bit. Now that the older dog is gone, she doesn't really enjoy being out in the yard without a human with her. She stands on the step staring at the door, waiting for me to let her back in.
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That is so sad. It would break my heart to see her standing there all lonely missing a friend.
 
Yeah, it tugs at the heartstrings a bit, but I always let her in when I see her doing that. I or my kids are out in the yard with her @ 90% of the time. When it's time for her to "do her business" I cannot go out, or else she won't go. It's also a good motivator for her because when she is done, then we play.
 
The pup that will not play by herself

My pup has the Kong and tons of other toys but just will not play if I leave the room she sits on the other side of the gate and stares at me. She will n play. She will whine for 5 mins or so and then she stops and lies down and stares at me. I tried the 2 mins of play 3x's a day for 3 days and then slowly increasing. She would play with toy until I left the room. The treasure hunt same thing. She was not interested unless I was SITTING IN THE ROOM WITH HER.
 
I think a lot of dogs can be like this, they just want to play with you not on their own, especially when little. An activity ball works well with Cadbury. You fill it with treats and the dog rolls it about to get the food out.

I wouldn't worry too much though, if she was really bored she would find something to do. I think our dogs just want to be with us, whatever we are doing.
 
still not playing alone

Well we are back from vacation and the pup is still alive!!! (lol) thank God!!!
She I started with the 2 mins of a new toy 3 times a day and then increasing it. It was working until we were away and the kids thought it was a "new toy" and just gave it to her. She is still not palying alone. She sits in one room while I go into bathroom or to change and she starts WHINING. I ignore it and it stops in 3-4 mins. Then she sits at gate and stares at the doorway where I am and waits for me to return. As long as someone is in the room she will play, chew, or rest. I guess I will need to get a NEW toy and start all over!

AND NOT ENOUGH ROOM FOR A 2ND PUP (THANK YOU VERY MUCH {lol} )
 
Ok, I may be mis-reading this thread here a little. What do you mean by "play"?

In reality, dogs don't really play on their own. They will play with you or if you give them a bone to chew, they will play with that for a while.


My pups may pick up a toy and throw it once or twice, but will only keep at it if I engage with them. And they will play with each other.

But to expect your pup to play on his own for an extended period? Not going to happen. They'll just curl up and sleep instead.
 
BarbV said:
Ok, I may be mis-reading this thread here a little. What do you mean by "play"?

In reality, dogs don't really play on their own. They will play with you or if you give them a bone to chew, they will play with that for a while.


My pups may pick up a toy and throw it once or twice, but will only keep at it if I engage with them. And they will play with each other.

But to expect your pup to play on his own for an extended period? Not going to happen. They'll just curl up and sleep instead.
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I have to agree with Barb. My last sheltie would never play by himself. We always had to play with him. He would not even sit outside by himself. Now I have two, and they will play together, but they play much, much more if I engage them in some way and I am with them, otherwise, they will sleep if I am not around.
 
My first Sheltie wasn't into toys..she had one..a fleece bone with a squeaky in it..she would get it and squeak it if we played with it with her...she had that thing for ten years and it was only a little dirty where the squeaker was..LOL She wasn't into chewing bones or anything...she was just my shadow..she loved to go for walks..otherwise she was just a couch potato...

Now..these two I have now...are wild and crazy! Clancy is annoying with the toys...always shoving one in my lap wanting to play..and he is obsessive about squeakers...he gets them til he breaks them. LOves Kongs and treat balls...When he was a puppy, I had banged up walls...from him throwing the Kong all over trying to knock the goods out. He also would throw the treat ball down the stairs to get the food to come out faster. I've been awakened more then once with a Kong or ball thrown on the bed...
Abby loves balls and snouty soccers alot..she also will play tuggy. Plus she does disturbing things to woobies...she rips the face off any stuffed toy....

So becareful what you wish for!! LOL

Julie
Clancy & Abby
 
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