She was initially rescued 8 mos. So if you want your dog to enjoy playing fetch you'll want to start by … She’s a very lucky girl to have found a wonderful home with you, Jackie. Preventive Vet says that some dogs might just never show an interest in the game. Socialization and training along with lots of play time is an investment in your dog that brings many rewards. I have seen people at competitions weather it is at a dog show or agility trial get a tug toy out and give it to the dogs to get them hyped up or as a reward for doing a good job. It’s really easy to make your own at home too with an old stuffed toy and maybe a treat tucked inside somewhere. You could also start incorporating some types of play while you’re out walking, since that’s when she’s active and interested in things or try playing with toys while she’s on a leash in the yard or even inside the house. Your dog doesn’t have to fetch a ball. What Should You Do When Your Dog Growls at Someone? Tags:Activities, Bonding, Dog Toys, Games, Play. If you seem excited about the toy it will help your dog be more excited about the toy. Brave Puppy Is So Determined To Run. I haven’t tried a Kong yet. We have tried many many toys and keep trying to use them in different ways (balls, tug toys, hide a treat toys, Kongs etc…). If he never learned how to play, you’ll be looking for subtle signs of interest that you can possibly build on. Dog won’t play fetch. ? I’ve had Chloë since she was 9 weeks old and Riley sine he was 10 months old; they are 7 months apart in age. Our previous dog, Pip, was not much into playing. I’ve always had very playful dogs. He doesn’t bark, whine or cry at all. They do like to retrieve though so balls and kongs are favorites. She looks like a fun-loving and playful dog with lots of personality! It’s all about enhancing what they’re motivated to do and enjoy, whatever that might be. Karli sure sounds like a sweetheart at 10 years young! She doesn’t care for chew bones, however full size carrots are the bomb in her eyes. She will do what she feels needs to be done, like fetch Mort and bring him to me if he’s doing something she thinks he shouldn’t (no training, all nature). You look amazing at nine, Hawk! Have the toy and your dog right in front of you. Every dog has their toy preferences, so it’s a good idea to experiment with a variety of toys to find out what appeals to your dog. While we all know someone with an amazing dog who has always loved to go grab the newspaper off the street, most dogs don’t arrive on this planet with an instinctual understanding of the whole “go fetch that item and bring it back to a human nice and unchewed” thing. Check out my post, Do Dogs Barter? Games like tug-of-war or wrestling can cause some dogs to get pretty riled up. In fact, some people have a dog so they can go outside, get some fresh air and play fetch. I know dogs learn a lot from observing each other, but she sounds amazingly smart! Humans are for cuddling and belly rubs. He will occasionally join in when tossing a toy but that’s a rare occasion. I never had a shepherd who would play fetch. Your new pup sounds like a sweetheart and I’m sure she still needs some time to relax and adjust to her new home. Others dogs like to chase toys and play keep away. He is quiet, gets along with everyone and occasionally will wag his tale when it’s time for a walk, and that’s about it. I think in most cases, a dog that doesn’t like to play is a dog that can learn how to play. Then, try to see if he will at least move toward the toy, and click/reward that. When we first got her I bought a little stuffed bird and worked with her to get her to go pick it up. I really don’t know what to do for the guy. I rescue older shelter dogs and sadly, many do not take any interest in playing. 6. I feel like I’m changing topics because in the four months we have had her there are multiple things that we are working on at any one time, she has leash aggression (I will be getting her a harness soon, separation anxiety (we just started trying calming chews as well as a thunder shirt) and anxiety riding in the car which she did not have until we had to recently travel by car from the West Coast to the East Coast) and although she was doing pretty well in her crate, we left her the other night for four hours after giving her a walk and when we returned she had Peed in the crate and was pretty upset. After a few months we discovered, during Christmas, that she will chase paper if you throw it. She is a mix but has been identified as having a good deal of Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever in her. When that happens, it’s time to make it harder by putting your hand next to the toy, but not underneath it so your dog has to move to place the toy in your hand. But now they act like they are intimidated by playing fetch. She LOVES the hooves, but hasn’t touched any of the other toys. I don’t believe for a second all dogs are created equal, and all dogs can do “x” well (be it play, trained, etc) despite all having some genes for these things, but the question is drive. Published on 6/19/2018 at 11:23 AM. Oh my gosh, you really are working on a lot of different things with your girl. You could also put one inside a cardboard box to make a puzzle out of getting the hoof out. Fetch is a game that most people want to play with their dog and it can be frustrating if you throw a toy and your dog just sits watching you or goes and gets the toy but doesn’t bring it back. Right, some dogs just don't do fetch regardless if the breed is known to be a retriever. In the meantime, try using those hooves or other treats to discover clues to what she likes. To work on this, you are going to do something called “backchaining” – start with the end behavior that you want and work backwards until you have a full behavior. He loves to hike and ride in the car. Puppies learn from playing with their mother and littermates and as adults they continue to learn by playing with you. If your dog is of the “sit and stare” variety, your first goal is to teach him to chase after the object you want him to fetch. Any thoughts on the possibility of trauma that I believe she experienced her first 4 years of life causing her reacting to treats and her lack of knowing how to play? Since she’s also super playful, I’m going to try Jen’s advice and see what I can accomplish with a tug toy and playing as a reward sometimes. A month ago we found a beautiful 4 year old female from a rescue organization. She likes that best. I’m fascinated that Tig trains herself just by watching you work with Mort. She is extremely well behaved and a complete dear, so I am focusing on loving her and including her in as many things as I can. So we know at least during this phase of a dog’s life that they like to play. His breeder has had many dogs disinterested in play and Riley’s grandmother is one of them, where as his dad loves to play and is the only male dog that loves when the new puppies are born so he can play with them. Maybe check to see if anyone offers nose-work training in your area. In fact, many dogs, of all breeds, are not “into the fetch.” Or maybe your dog likes to chase the ball, but never brings it back. That’s not a complaint. You want them to be successful so they find it fun! It can be overwhelming sometimes when you adopt a rescue dog with several issues, especially when you don’t know about their history. I will keep trying, but this article and comments were very helpful to me as I thought I was the only one who had a dog who didn’t love to play all the time. Any ideas? ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky! I can finally stop worrying about “what happened to him before he came to live with me?”! Although most dogs will go after the ball, only a few will bring it back to you. Haha, it’s funny that he brings all of his toys out when you have guests, that’s cute. Other than that, he is content to lay around all day and sleep or observe. He has finally come out of going around and around in circles in the house. I’ve always thought that maybe Dax could have been miss treated or even had a birth defect. There are various ways to play with a dog and certainly different dog breeds prefer different play styles. Retrievers typically like to fetch, scent hounds love playing Find It or Hide and Seek games using their noses, terriers were mostly bred for chasing and rooting out vermin and like shake and kill games and squeaky toys. She doesn’t chase balls or sticks and she doesn’t really take things in her mouth to tug. He likes to play after dinner and sometimes after a walk and if we have guests over, he’ll drag out all the contents of his toy box and parade around with them. Typically we don’t do tug because we do not need to tug on a duck at a test and they are supposed to have soft mouths. This is how you will know if your dog is getting what you want or not. Thanks again for sharing about your dogs! . I’m certain that if you looked at these dogs as part of a litter, you’d see different amounts of play tendency within the litter (just as you would prey drive, confidence, etc). She positions herself in between me and the door when we sleep. She loves being outdoors and exploring the city and the country (we split our time between city and upstate NY) and going on little adventures in parks and hikes with us. I really appreciate finding people with very similar situations as well as your responses and suggestions! http://chasingdogtales.com/6-simple-ways-to-build-trust-with-your-dog/, Some dogs enjoy having a job to do or activities like nose work and you could start with games like “Find It” to see if that might be interesting for her. At first, it was just kibble in a soda bottle we turned upside down for her to knock over. Jade is eager to play but is stubborn and will not return the toy after a certain amount of time. If you’re lucky, your dog plays fetch naturally, but few dogs intrinsically understand the concept of retrieving. One will always copy the other and completely stop what they are doing. My husband and I adopted a 2 yr. old Boston Terrier/Whippet mix this past Thursday; she’s been staying with us since Tuesday since the rescue we got her from wanted her to have a couple of days to get used to us and make sure she would be a good fit with the family. It’s interesting how different drives and motivations come into play. Since this topic alone could be an entire article, we will just touch on this briefly. She seems irritated by the sound squeaky toys. (heartworm, puppies too young, dental disease). If your dog won’t give the ball back, won’t drop the ball, won’t let go of his toys. We have 4 yr old rescue heeler. Riot of the day is that she’s discovered Home Depot and thinks it’s the most fun place on the planet – many people smile and scratch her ears, smells great. You don’t want him to get bored, so at first, only play a few minutes and then do something he really does enjoy, like a walk or a run, to get out the rest of his energy. I remember you saying that Jack and Maggie like to play “Find It” with treats in the yard, so even though they might not play much with toys, I’m sure they have a great time doing their own thing and going on those fun walks, of course. I’m not sure if she was just too shy & frightened at first or if she didn’t know how to play, but I’m so happy she loves to play now. That’s one thing I haven’t really tried because Haley’s always been very food motivated. Dog Doesn't Get Why This Statue Won't Play Fetch With Him. And many dogs, including many retrievers I have owned, and including some of the most well-bred retrievers in the world, were not like this as puppies. are all out. If she sees rabbits, squirrels and even birds she very happily wants to chase them. I’d love to hear back from you later to find out how things are going. Is it in their dog’s nature to not enjoy playing or did the dog owner not play very much (or at all) with their dog? Hi Marti, You are so wonderful for adopting your new best friend and saving him from such a horrible existence. The ONLY time my border collie won't play fetch with me is when he is somehow discomforted. Some dogs, depending on age, are bred to be “lap dogs” and may not be as interested in playing. Genteel might need some time to adjust to his new home but after a few days, try some of the tips in the post to see what might peak his interest. We play fetch sometimes, but since fetch is their job so I really try not to make it anything like their work (training). She won’t hold anything in her mouth, so fetch, tug, etc. What the perfect toy for Mika? she will not play. I’m curious to hear how the dogs respond and if Jade will enjoy playing in different ways. I’ll try a few of your tips, but I think her background really impacts her behavior. The squeaky toys we got her are just going to waste. She KNOWS the toy merits no reward, but left to her own devices, she can root out a snake, or bark at a bird or something. I so want to see her taking advantage of our big fenced yard but, she sticks to me like glue. It is expensive to buy a ton of different types of toys, so you could try using some things around the house, like putting some treats in cardboard boxes to see if she likes ripping into them or playing Find It with treats you hide in different places around a room. I think that will be good as it is also a challenge. Keep it FUN! She has next to no motivation there, looks at me like I’m crazy or something, and when she does play (tug a little etc) it lasts for maybe 30 seconds before she does something else she prefers to do. Control the game. She could not fetch to save anyone’s life. Just experiment with different types of toys and play styles and have lots of patience but definitely don’t worry about her if she just wants to chill around the house. Some dogs will chase after the toy but then won’t bring it back, while others simply look at you with a confused expression, wondering why you repeatedly throw the toy away! I know Haley’s that way most of the time and on days when we’re really active, she likes to take it easy for the rest of the day. Ready, Set, Fetch. All he does is eat, sleep and poop (and pee). I read a few other articles along with this one and you all seem to agree on having a variety of toys to stimulate the dog’s senses and mind. I did teach him to catch small treats yesterday, which he seemed to enjoy. Hi Kasandra! Don’t worry if you made some mistakes, but if you think you’ve lost some ground in the trust department, this post might be helpful. Fetch turns into a nuisance when Fido confuses the activity for a game of tug-of-war. I’m so glad you found the article and comments helpful. So, if for first few times he was just looking at, you are now going to stop rewarding the look and see if he will then touch it. And he definitely does that terrier shake and kill with his stuffed toys. You have to lock up tennis balls to keep your dog from constantly bugging you to play fetch. I can imagine her carrying around and chewing on a full sized carrot just like a bone, lol! When someone tells me their adult dog doesn’t like to play, I often wonder about the old nurture vs. nature debate. But we are sure the humans would be more than willing to play a game of fetch with him. Their past experience may have left them confused about basic things like housebreaking. If he does, click/reward that. Whether it’s introducing the parts of the game in segments or trying a new version of the game, there’s a way to go from “My dog won’t fetch” to “My dog loves fetch.” Breaking Down Fetch Refusal. Why Bone Broth is The Ultimate Superfood For Senior Dogs, An Easy Trick for Your Dog’s Water Bowl to Greatly Improve Their Dental Health, RECALL: Pet Food Has 36 Cases Of Aflatoxin Poisoning And Counting, Monitor Your Pet’s Health From The Comfort Of Your Home, Finding Free Peace of Mind Can Help You Save Your Dog’s Life, A Tale of Two “Pitties” – Georgie’s Total Transformation, ‘Beast & Buckle’ Was Co-Founded By A Man And The Dog Who Saved Him, Toys that squeak or don’t squeak (sound sensitive dogs), Crinkly ones (like the kind that sound like they have paper or a bottle in them). Have … As though it may have seemed. Dogs who resource guard will likely move away with the ball if you show any interest in the ball such as looking at it or moving towards the dog. I even put peanut butter on one, and she didn’t even lick it off. I bet they’re both wonderful dogs. Once your dog is playing with toys (or if they already were) the next problem is the retrieve. Kai will play fetch until he drops, Tre could care less about a ball or anything else you might throw. We look at the solutions … If you get a chance, I’d love to hear back later about how things are going. Once your dog begins to paw or grab the toy, let him have it. I will have to try these tips with the dogs at my parents’ house. . I wonder if play might look so strange for some dogs that we humans don’t recognize it. She does seem to be housebroken but has had a few accidents, but we are figuring out ways to help her avoid that. Our new dog, Ruby, is just the opposite she is ready to play at any time – loves fetch, tug, etc. He likes to mouth stuffies and will occasionally play tug but by no means is he a playful boy with toys. Hi, Elizabeth! I don’t get it?? Be a Hero – Sign up to receive our emails today and we'll donate a meal to a shelter dog on your behalf. I wouldn’t worry at all about her not wanting to play, but maybe look for what types of things peak her interest or get her attention when she’s at home and see if you can build on that. End the play session if your dog gets over-excited. You are so kind-hearted for rescuing your sweet girl and giving her a loving home, especially since she’s had a rough start in life. She’s not big on fetch, but she loves tug, chase, wrestling and shake & kill! Fetch is an interactive game that encourages the bond between human and dog, cementing your position as the ‘alpha’ as you command your dog to retrieve objects for you. 10 Tips for Helping Your Dog Learn How to Play, “Do You Have a Dog That Doesn’t Like to Play?”. Tig is a serious dog. Let’s say you want your dog to pick up the ball and put it in your hand. My son adopted an 8 year old shepherd mix, Rudy. These reasons include… Your dog wants to play a different game. hi I have a problem, my dog is 7 year old lab, we got him when he was five from a friend who could no longer keep him, he LOVED toys before we got him, but he REFUSES toys (other then raw hide) I just can’t get him to play, I play bow go “grff!” As a play bark, and other play signals but he looks up at me gives me a look like “WHAT are you doing?” HELP. I know some breeds just aren’t that interested in play or they like a certain kind of play. It sounds like Chloe and Riley get along very well together and respect each other’s personalities. help. Don’t punish him. ? I have two dogs. My Karli is a 10 yr old Chihuahua. Looking forward to the journey! It may seem like you’re just providing some casual entertainment for your pup while playing, but he’s learning manners, self-control and problem-solving skills. When your dog is moving to put the toy in your hand from several inches, you can add your fetch word – fetch, bring it, toy, etc., Say the word as your dog is placing the toy in your hand. Maia won't fetch, she will take the ball from Kai just so he will chase her. That’s just who she is. This is a game, be excited when your dog is successful, quiet when he is not. There’s such a huge variety of dog toys: Balls of all shapes and sizes, squeaky toys, hard and soft rubber toys, stuffed toys, tug toys, treat-dispensing toys, throwing toys, etc. As mentioned above, some dogs like to chase, but never pick up the toy to bring it back. Thanks so much for adding to the conversation and sharing your thoughts on the nurture vs. nature debate. Or if your dog won’t fetch at all, then this is the article for you. This is a great way to build a stronger relationship with your dog, so get goofy and start playing. I made the mistake of rewarding Haley once for killing a spider when it scared me (I screamed, of course) and she now looks for bugs and spiders to kill. Thank you, Signed, Distressed Wendy. This is so interesting. Do You Have a Dog That Doesn’t Like to Play? . The breed or mix of breeds of your dog will give you a clue as to what type of play style they might enjoy the most. He just does not have very good manners yet but he is relearning. I would focus on creating a bond of trust right now and helping him overcome his shyness and fear of the door (and any other issues he might have). It very well could be that she adapts to what you’re doing when you’re at home relaxing. After the 9 year old passed away, few years later, the younger dog lost all interest in playing with toys. Once you have gotten to the point where your dog is picking up the toy, you are going to add in your end behavior. This is something I’ve wondered myself. All the dog has to do is choose a moving statue instead. Motivation. We would throw a ball & they would get all excited run and chase the ball bring it back, no problem. Playing fetch is something that most dogs enjoy, and for very active and lively breeds like the Springer spaniel, a game of fetch can help them to get the additional exercise that they need and allow them to run around freely, without having to match them pace for pace!. She is incredibly smart (she will train herself by just watching me train Mort to do something). I have a new puppy german shephard and we were playing ok for the first week and then she slowed down gradually. Two of the most common problems are the dog … Congrats on your new member of the family and you’re wonderful for giving her a loving home! You’re right, a dog that can play or have a job that’s aligned with his breed is one happy dog. Congrats on adopting your new girl and I know you’ll find many fun activities to enjoy together.? She has near perfect behavior, comes when … If so, maybe they both have some competitive anxiety when going after the ball at the same time. . They would play the "you throw the ball and I'll go get it and chew it up" game. Haley likes almost any kind of toy, except tennis balls because of the fuzzy texture on the outside of the ball. I grew up with a German Shepherd who made pretty much everything a toy, so having a dog now that doesn’t play [yet] is a little strange. That’s an interesting point, Pamela. You want your dog to place the toy in your hand and grabbing it can lead to them wanting to play tug instead. That was a about 3 years ago. She also will not eat anything bought from a pet store. Your email address will not be published. She loves to rough house with us, just has no interest in toys. Some dogs love the movement, drag the toy in front of your dog’s nose to see if they will chase it. I suppose I could buy a herd of sheep and keep them out back for her, but since we live in an apartment, that’s not viable. It sounds like some dogs have maybe never learned how to play and others just aren’t that interested in playing and that’s perfectly fine too. Have fun with your sweet girl and take your time while discovering her interests. Thanks for commenting, Jen. Did they used to both chase the ball at the same time and hesitate over which one would grab and retrieve it? Great tips, I’m lucky and my gang loves to play in some form or another. My Favorite Global Pet Expo Products 2017. It could be because they were never taught the game. This is the first dog for us together, though we’ve each had dogs as kids, so we’re kind of relearning the process. Jackson is a six year old rescue lab/pit/german shorthair retriever whose only interest seems to be stalking squirrels or chipmunks in the backyard. He never was touched with love, no freedom but a small box kennel. He goes crazy as most dogs do. Charlie now over two years and Daisy a little over year 1/2 old. , It sounds like she’s having a good time playing by herself and sometimes with your JRT. some dogs wont play fetch but may prefer a game of tug instead, your pup may be slightly insecure that may be why he wont go very far from you. I can’t wait to implement these ideas. As a teacher, I find myself studying the effects of trauma and it seems to me that the dogs could be experiencing something similar. Thanks for visiting today. she is super active on the leash. Well, now the other dog is gone and I worry that she’s bored. Frequently though, if you adopt from a sanctuary in which the dogs get to interact with each other, they do learn to play with other dogs, even if they do not learn to play with humans. Chloë loves to play…she’ll chase her ball for hours, will play tug of war, she’s always up for a fun time. We named her Dixie, she is loving, intelligent, learns fast, but there are some strange things. Chloë is from a “back-yard” breeder and is a mixed pup and Riley is from a reputable breeder and is a pure bred. Move the toy. I have heard it from a bunch of people know, with anywhere from 3 weeks to 6 months before they settle in.