Toys question, with a little bit of an unusual history.

[Fainlysmom]

Hi, everyone -- I'll try to keep this brief. Background: Fainly is now 2 1/2 years old. His history is unusual in that he had five surgeries before he was 1 year old for orthopedic problems, and he consequently has been a pretty quiet dog even now. He's healthy and we hope happy. He's the sweetest dog with the best eye contact I've ever seen. We love him. To add to his history, I began having to live life in a wheelchair shortly after we got him at 8-or-so weeks. My husband and I are both seniors, living a quiet life. No kids or other family near here except my son, who has two German shepherds who are marauders and don't get along with Fainly. We live in a rural area where mountain lions abound, as well as some bears -- the lion has been seen in our very yard more than once -- and so we can't spend a lot of time outdoors unless we all three are there, so I don't go out there alone with Fainly much. We've been concerned that he doesn't get stimulated much and that he's bored.

We thought we had found the ideal solution when we started playing with him with a laser, but I read last night that what folksthink is excitement and pleasure with regard to lasers and dogs is really frustration for the dog and that lasers are not suitable. So now what shall we do to keep him interested and happy? My husband walks him twice a day but I can't walk him in my wheelchair. And now not the laser either. I'd appreciate any suggestions as to toys that Shelties can't resist or any other creative ideas you might have. He has many toys, mostly ropes and things (he's a very strong chewer), but he hasn't so far cared very much about them. He works puzzles in a few minutes. There are no kids or neighbors near here who can walk him either. Since we can't move to a different area, I'm feeling like we must find something that will help him be entertained and exercised. We absolutely do not want to give him away. He's our kid.

Thanks very much for any ideas you may have.

Fainly's mom

 

[Sharon7]

Google Nosework. You can do the exercises at home with him and it will work his mind. Mine love it. You hide food (small pieces) in things like containers for him to find. If you want to go whole hog, you can soak some Qtips in one of the essential oil odors, birch, anise or clove. Put these in a small container (matchbox size) with holes in it. Pair it with food at first (for quite a while), then eventually he will be able to find the odor by itself.

Also, teach tricks. Shake hands, "touch" rollover, etc.

I am glad to hear he is happy and healthy now.

 

[Piper's mom]

What about a flirt pole? It’s much like the laser but there’s a reward where the dog is able to catch it. Hopefully you’d also be able to play with him as well as long as the pole itself is long enough. I think he’d love it…I have one for my dogs (and trust me it’s hard to play with 3 dogs at once) and they go crazy for it.

 

[Margi]

Similiar to what Sharon said, we play "Go find 'em!" every day. I hide small treats around the house while the boys are shut in the waiting room (spare bedroom LOL) It started out we played in just the living room but its expanded to the whole house now. When I took this vid they just searched in the living room, but you get the idea. They love it and it only takes about 20 minutes to play two rounds now. It tires them out and they are content after.

 

[Fainlysmom]

Friends, thank you all so much for your kind and helpful answers. He is so food-motivated I think the house (or room) search for food will work wonders for him. I've googled nosework and have read the Suburban K9 ideas. I'm sure we can make these work. I agree that he needs a "job", I just hadn't been able to come up with one or figure out quite how to train him. He learns new commands in only a few repeats, though he decides when he'll follow them and when not, so we need to work on that. I'll post again with his progress when have gotten going on these things.

 

[Ann]

You've gotten great suggestions here, and I'm so glad to hear that Fainly is doing well. I'll just add one that I use for my crew, especially on days when they can't get outside. I have various treat toys from an online site called BarkShop that my dogs absolutely love. I put small treats in them and some can occupy them for an afternoon. Use larger treats as he gets good at getting them out to extend the time and difficulty. If Fainly is food motivated, he'll love these. Here's a link to the site.