Sheltie refuses to play

[shesashell]

We adopted a 3 year old sheltie about a year ago and she shows absolutely no interest in playing whatsoever, despite our best attempts. More than anything she is skiddish and frightened even if we toss a small plush toy for her to chase after or herd, she runs the opposite way and hides...we recently went to the doctor and found out that she is slightly overweight, and with summer on the way I want to take full advantage of the weather and make it fun for her to play. Is there any hope that she will ever want to fetch or run around?

 

[Calliesmom]

depends on the sheltie- the 5 yr old sheltie that I got from rescue never played, never fetched or tugged. she did enjoy a good cookie though.
we went on lots of walks to help her get to and stay at a good weight.

 

[PatC]

My two, show ring retirees, don't really play. One occasionally zooms around the yard, and they will show mild interest in toys for a couple of minutes once in a while, but beyond that, no. They like to walk and eat and hang out. They're happy.

 

[shesashell]

Thanks for your feedback, I guess we will stick to walks (and some running) to get that weight off of her....and I'll probably give her a stricter diet as well

 

[3Stars]

Tugging leads to fetching - take an old sock, put some smelly cheese in it, and use that to tug. As your dog becomes more interested in interacting with you, you can extend this behaviour to playing with different toys and eventually initiating play and retrieving toys.

 

[Toffee's Mom]

yes, I taught Leo to tug using my socks, lol
ALso you can use a bait pouch, when they are nosing it and show interest in it, try to get them to chase and tug it.
Needs really high value treats

 

[Caro]

You can teach a dog to interact with toys as an adult. But you need to teach her what to do with it - atm she may have no idea what a toy is for. This is the method I learnt to use. Use new toy and give it to the dog fora few minutes - you can play with it, move it around the floor, generally make the toy interesting, but make sure she realises it is her toy. After a few minutes put the toy away. Next day bring it out again and do the same thing, but for an extra minute. Keep doing this over a week or two. The idea is that she learns to value the toy and it brings some interest and hopefully eventually excitement when it comes out. Don't let her have that toy at other times.

I must say though that many adult dogs don't play much with toys by themselves. I suppose its the same with humans - when was the last time you played with a yo-yo? Mine only play with toys when they are with me - Tully will give me a toy to throw or for her to chase around the floor, Deska will pick up a squeak toy and squeak away when he's happy with me (and I taught him to do that so he wouldn't try to nip me).

 

[BigE]

I adopted mine when he was 4. One and a half years passed by and he still shows no interest in playing with toys and particularly dislikes squeaky ones. He walks to burn calories. He enjoys sleeping and eating and I am pleased as long as he is healthy and happy. I once accidentally found out he liked tearing off cardboard so occasionally I put a couple of treats inside a used tissue box, and he plays it (smashes it) like crazy in order to reach the treats. That is his toy - cheap!

 

[Trip]

Try a laser, see if she will go after it.

Probably still a lot of trust issues you have to work through, give it time.

Mine is not a very toy playing Sheltie as well. She absolutely adores herding me when we run in the backyard and chasing the laser though.

 

[Internette]

My little guy doesn't play with toys either. He doesn't get the whole ball thing, or squeakies or stuffed animals etc. We go to the dog park and he likes to run behind when they get a game of chase going, he is a follower not a leader but I have noticed just this weekend he is starting to initiate the romp and he bounces like on his front paws when he greets when of his regular friends so I see him growing more and more every week. Even if he just sits under the picnic tables at the park he is sitting happy. He greets every dog that comes in the gate to say hello and he avoids the confrontation dogs and just seems to be content he is at the park. He loves rides in the car and when we go on walks, so as long as I see the twinkle in his eyes which I do and I know he is happy and I am sure he is , that makes me happy which is better than a toy.