How do I get a dog to play?

[dml54]

We have recently adopted a five year old dog. She has been a show dog and is very good apart from the fact she doesn't know how to play. (We can only presume her previous owners haven't played with her so that she behaves herself in the show ring.) Any advice?

[divegirl]

Hi, how sad.... I would suggest encouraging her to play through food/treats.... Could you get her one of those balls that dispense food when rolled around? Play with that with her and praise her when she touches it. Also, what's she like in the garden or off of the lead? Running away from her....not to far and just calling her until she runs to you is a good place to start....then introduce a 'ragga' type pull toy....
Just be patient with her, it's sounds like she is now living in a completely different, if more fun environment!

Have fun!!!

Lisa x

[lankeela]

Personally I don't see the connection between being a show dog and not playing. I have seven 'show dogs' and they all play in their own way. Some like a ball, some squeaky toys, some just like to run round the garden or field. My two litter sisters never play with each other although both play with their mother or brother at different times. It depends on the breed, some dogs never show the same enthusiasm as others.

And don't forget, the majority of show dogs are pets first.
There are very few who are kept in such a way as to prevent them playing.

I have a friend with Shih Tzus and although they have free run of the house and garden, and have toys and treats they never play, just mooch around sniffing and looking aloof.

[divegirl]

Hijack coming up.....Lankeela any suggestions to my post on hand rearing puppies.....sorry dml54

Much love

Lisa x

[lankeela]

Answered!

[dml54]

Thanks for your replies. She sounds like your friend's ST's Lankeela. Her previous owners were elderly so that may also account for her lack of enthusiasm in playing. She follows us around and really only goes in the garden if we go with her (we think a bit of insecurity here as well - new house, new owners and she has also lost her doggy companion). We'll just persevere.

[Carakeel]

I agree with you lankeela. I have had show dogs as well and they loved to play, so I don't see any significance there. I know I am always going on about clickers, but they do get the dog's attention. So, perhaps you might try clicker training him, i.e. throwing a toy a short distance away, luring the dog to the toy by showing him a treat. When he comes however close to the toy, click and treat. He may not come right up to the treat at first, but every positive effort he makes should be rewarded. He will then come closer and closer and eventually pick the toy up. Gradually he will learn that the toy is a good thing and when he has grasped this you can stop using the clicker and just give him the treat when he brings you the toy. He will learn that this is fun and start to understand 'playing'.

If you want to learn more about clicker training there are plenty of books about it inmost pet shops, along with the clickers. Or you can go here: http://www.clickerzoneuk.co.uk/ or just type "clicker training" into Google. Best of luck!

[horselady]

We had a rescued GSD who was found wandering the streets and had obviously been badly treated. When we first had her and threw a ball, she just sort of watched it bounce across the ground and then looked at us as if to say "what am I supposed to do with it?" It was so sad.
She didn't take long to learn to play and by the end of her life (we had her for 12 years, she was 14 when she died) she would go nowhere without her beloved ball!

[maggie01]

I have two shih-tzus who are exactly the same. They do have a mad 5 minutes occasionaly, but more often just mooch around.