My puppy won't play with anything

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kristynron

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We just got a 6 month old puppy a little over a week ago. Her name is Lexi and she is the cutest thing ever! Extremely sweet, a little shy, unfortunately, and has no clue what to do with a ball or a frisbee, or a tug toy. She came from a pretty good sized kennel. There were 10 other shelties. She LOVES to play with other dogs but not toys. I know there were a ton of toys because I saw them. She was going to be going into the show ring but the breeder decided she was too reserved and wouldn't make it so she placed her with us. Does anyone have any ideas about how we would go about getting her to play with her toys, ie a ball, a mini frisbee. Right now she just runs and hides. :rolleyes2:
 
Lexi has only been with you for such a short time...and she probably never had humans play with her if she came from a pretty big kennel situation. Her previous play was probably all with the other dogs.

I would give her more time to get comfortable with you and start to feel at home before trying to get her to play with you and toys. Her running and hiding is an indication that she still doesn't feel totally safe. At 6 months old she has suddenly had to face a loss of everything she knew as "home" and the loss of her fellow dog pals...and she may take longer than a very young pup to make the transition to her new life situation. Also her breeder did mention that she was reserved...so that adds to trauma of change from a home she knew.

Leave a few toys around, but I wouldn't try to force any play. If she picks up a toy, gently praise her so she knows it is OK. Playing with toys with humans is often a taught behavior, it is not something that all dogs do naturally...and some dogs never do like to play with toys period.

Trini
 
Thank you for your insight Trini. Just to clarify Lexi plays with humans and dogs, just not toys. I'm pretty sure her former owner plays with all of her dogs as they all live in the house! Lexi only hides when you try to toss a frisbee to her. It scares her. We'll back off on the toys for now. It has been a huge change for her as she left her sisters and her mom among others. She is, overall, a great puppy and we're so happy she came to live with us. We lost our 8 1/2 year old to TCC bladder cancer about a month ago. We are hoping that Lexi will be company for our other sheltie, Shanti. Shanti is very depressed and grieving over the loss of her constant companion, Mattie.
 
Clarabelle doesn't really do toys. Neither did Bonnie. Bonnie's play was to swing on the tail of the other dogs while they played fetch. Read my post about Clara not ever playing catcher. I broke her heart when I tossed a ball at her. The biggest thing is to keep trying different things, leave things out, but also know that sometimes, they just don't do toys.

As for Clara, don't feel bad for her for not playing fetch. Clara plays pouncy puppy (jump onto the bed and pounce wherever you tap the bed, or jump while you wave your arms back and forth.) She loves to jump on us when we yell Suuupppper Puppy. She will play finger monster- like a cat- she pounces on your finger if you wiggle it under a blanket. She plays peekaboo. So, what point am I rambling to? Remember that Lexi is an individual with her own likes and dislikes. And just go with it and enjoy who she is. With time, she might play with toys. Or not. Trust me, even though I never once played fetch or tug or anything like that with my BonnieBelle, I could not have loved that silly tail swinger more.
 
Missy, it sounds like Clara and Lexi are quite similar. Lexi plays with us the same exact way, pouncing and chasing fingers under the covers. I will just step back and wait and see as far as the toys go. She is such a sweet girl and we are so lucky to have found her. Thanks for replying. :smile2:
 
If she'll play with you, maybe knot an old sock and put it on your hand and try to get her to chase it? That can be transitioned into tug of war and once she's excited about that she might be more inclined to chase a toy that you've been tugging with and which you throw.

When we got Honey she had no idea what fetch was...it was a long process to teach her.

You could also try a cat fishing toy instead of a traditional dog toy, Honey always went crazy over the feathered things swinging around. And if she likes to chase you around, you can drag it behind you...which might catch her interest.
 
Our Skully (Schipperke) is afraid of Frisbees, too. He barks and runs away if I throw one for Franklin and Jackson. He also used to be okay with tennis balls, but lately if i toss one softly, he just turns his head and lets it bounce off his back. He's fine fetching sticks, though.

I wouldn't worry about it. If it's important to get Lexi to play with toys, get a hollow toy and hide a treat or two in it. Once she get's the idea there's treats in there, I'll bet she'll chase it if you throw it.
 
kristynron said:
Thank you for your insight Trini. Just to clarify Lexi plays with humans and dogs, just not toys. I'm pretty sure her former owner plays with all of her dogs as they all live in the house! Lexi only hides when you try to toss a frisbee to her. It scares her. We'll back off on the toys for now. It has been a huge change for her as she left her sisters and her mom among others. She is, overall, a great puppy and we're so happy she came to live with us. We lost our 8 1/2 year old to TCC bladder cancer about a month ago. We are hoping that Lexi will be company for our other sheltie, Shanti. Shanti is very depressed and grieving over the loss of her constant companion, Mattie.
Click to expand...

I am so very sorry for the loss of your 8 year old to TCC. Six years ago we lost a wonderful little sable boy at the same age to TCC...it is a devastating cancer. And I know how sad it can be for a remaining dog when they have lost their doggie "sibling"...they grieve deeply. I do hope that adding Lexi will help Shanti find something to focus on and lift her spirits even though we can never "replace" a lost soul.

I am glad to read that Lexi plays well with humans and was a house doggie...she obviously had a much better start than had she been a kennel dog only.

You mention tossing the Frisbee at her...having something coming at her may be what is triggering the fear. Try having her right beside you, showing her the Frisbee and the tossing it away from you a few feet and see if she will go for it. A very tiny dab of PB on the Frisbee may spark her interest and get her going after it.

Trini
 
Some pups tend to come out of their shell a bit slower. I wouldn't write her off just yet as not being toy motivated :) That being said, I do have one dog that just doesn't care for toys. It's just how he is! He's a very serious dog in general, so I guess it makes sense.

The other two love toys--I found this article when I wanted to teach my girl to play frisbee and used some of the suggestions and it worked like a charm!

https://www.clickerdogs.com/createamotivatingtoy.htm
 
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