Puppy lacking interest...

P

Pennylane

Forums Regular
Hi all

So i finally brought home Miles - a 12 weeks old male puppy. He's the most sweet little guy but i've found that he lacks interest in toys. He might find a sqeeky toy or bouncing ball interesting for a second then he stops caring. I thought Shelties were suppose to love chasing things?

He also seems uninterested in treats - which makes trying to train him rather difficult beuase he focus cannot be engaged with food.

Has anyone had similar experience? Would puppy school help?
 
Welcome home Miles!!! Can't wait for the photos!!

When did you bring him home? He might just be feeling 'home-sick' and missing his mom and litter mates. He is probably just adjusting to his new surroundings. And not all puppies and dogs are treat motivated. Give him some time if you just brought him home.:yes:
 
How long has he been home for? Did you talk to the breeder? Was he the quiet one in the group? Puppies have a very short attention span and lose intrest in things rather quickly and move onto other things! Maybe you were lucky and got the quiet sheltie :lol: but im sure that will change!!LOL
 
Give the breeder a call !!

When you are uncertain of things call the breeder they should be able to help. When is he due to go to the vet?? Pups do lose interest quickly. You might have the quiet one aka couch potato.:winkgrin:
 
Caliber was the same way. He'd be interested in something for a minute or two, then drop it like it never even existed. He was the quiet one out of his 7 brothers and sisters, but - that has ALL changed! He doesn't leave my side, whether I'm going to the bathroom, cooking dinner, getting dressed, he's always there - usually with the idea I'm going to play with him. He's probably just a bit home sick like the others said. Try just loving him to bits and pieces rather then trying to train him(other then potty training - #1 priority!) for now. Let him know you're there for him first, create a bond, and a trust barrier, THEN try and train him a little bit at a time. I didn't try and teach Caliber anything until about a month after he was home...and it did A LOT of good! He's 6 months now, and will drop without hesitation at a hand signal if I give it to him(even if he's in mid-sprint - no lie!!) Lots of love and Patience are the key ingredients! I wouldn't worry too much about it - pups will be pups! :biggrin2: Good luck - and welcome to the forum!!!!
 
Sadie was the same way when we first brought her home. I think she was feeling overwhelmed by all the new things and being away from her mother and siblings. She slept mostly for the first 2-3 days (she was 9 weeks old) and was very quiet when she was awake, never playing or showing much interest in toys. She perked up around day 3-5, becoming a little ball of energy that never stopped playing. :smile2:

Everyone is right, if you think he may be unwell then give the breeder a call, but its likely he just needs some time to adjust to his new family and surroundings.
 
puppy lacking interest

I think they are right that the puppy needs time to become comfortable in their new home. Strangely enough my shelties did not train well with treats, they truly do their best when they know that they are making YOU happy. Most of the time they would turn down treats at first, but when you praised them excitedly their little eyes would just shine and their tails would wag. Also, I would get down on the floor and play with them with just my index finger poking them like another puppy. Sometimes dogs are not that fixated on food. Most of my shelties liked tug toys best! Good luck!!
 
+1 Hazel had no interest in toys at first. You might have to teach him what to do with it. Like the pull rope I have, Hazel had no idea what it was and what she should do with it. She just knew that I wanted her to do something with it. So I put one end in her mouth wait for her to bit down and started pulling, she got it right away. Now the damn thing is at my feet all the time haha (the rope, not the dog well dog sometimes but that's cute!)
 
From the little bit of experience I've had with shelties and from what I've heard from others with shelties, one will not see a shelties full personality until s/he has fully adjusted to its new environment. Wait it out a bit and see what happens. I've had Sophie for 4 months and only within the past month and a half did she begin to play with a tug toy. Be patient and you'll see change and it will be a pleasant surprise.
 
Crystal1 said:
Most of my shelties liked tug toys best! Good luck!!
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All my Shelties have loved the tug rope, you can build up your muscles too. :biggrin2: A old odd sock with a knot either end is just as good.

Cuddly toys have always been a favourite. Mine have all liked to prance about with it in their mouths inviting me to try and get it off them. :smile2: They have claimed a few of the kids cuddly toys too.

None of mine have been big ball chasers nor bothered much with toys that make a noise.

I think puppy school is a good idea. Fergus, who is 15 weeks, loves going along. He can hardly wait to get through the door to meet his friends. Don't be too concerned if Miles is quite reserved with the other pups, that is just the Sheltie way. He will probably pick one or two favourites he wants to play with. Fergus loves a little Border Terrier and a German Shepherd. Kind of opposite ends of the spectrum but he loves them to bits.

Adam
 
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