wont play at all

[destiny2021]

My Tinkerbell is 7 years old. She doesn't play at all. She has alot of toys and a big yard to play in but still won't run and play. Is this because if her age? Should I be concerned?

[Dayswalters]

How long have you had her and where is she from? If she is a rescue, it could just be an adjustment period, or she may never have learned to play.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Unless she's ill, injured or in pain, you can teach her how to play. What does she do if you slowly walk your 2nd and 3rd fingers toward her like legs and when your hand gets right up to her, suddenly gently tug playfully at the side of her mustache or a foot with those 2 fingers and softly exclaim "Gotcha!"? Tell me what she does when you do that - describe her reactions from start to finish.

[destiny2021]

I've had her for a month. She was a rescued dog

[Dayswalters]

You may have to teach her to play. Often rescues have missed out on the early socialization and play that most puppies receive.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly

Unless she's ill, injured or in pain, you can teach her how to play. What does she do if you slowly walk your 2nd and 3rd fingers toward her like legs and when your hand gets right up to her, suddenly gently tug playfully at the side of her mustache or a foot with those 2 fingers and softly exclaim "Gotcha!"? Tell me what she does when you do that - describe her reactions from start to finish.

Do you mind answering my question about her? It can tell us about her ability to relate to an invitation to play.

[destiny2021]

It doesn't seem like she is sick. I did that finger thing but she just stared at me.

[yorkietalkjilly]

As she grows more trusting, keep gently walking fingers up to her, to bait and engage her sense of play and competition to get you before you get her. I play this with shy dogs, untrusting dogs to slowly instill a sense of play and competition in them and show them it's okay to react playfully with a human. Couple of times or more each day, toss a ball and go get it, play with it, bounce it and laugh, smile a lot to show her that that it lots of fun. She should engage one day as soon as she trusts you and is sure she won't get hurt or yelled at. She may have been previously disciplined for acting exuberant, playing or racing around like a dog so just give her another two months to learn to trust and respect you, learn you won't hurt or scare her.

[destiny2021]

thanks

[matese]

yorkietalkjilly has given you great advise, I have a rescue, he came from a loving family but was not allowed to act as a puppy, he had no toys, he was gotten for a little 8 y/o girl. They wanted him to be interested in the child only, reason for no toys.He was not allowed to run and play or learn how to entertain himself. Due to financial difficulties they had to surrender him. I got him 3 days after he was torn away from his little mistress who was now 11 y/o. I gave him two weeks to settle in, get to know me, know his new surroundings, I was lucky, he bonded with me quickly, I played the fingers game that yorkietalkjilly is suggesting, at first he looked at me like "are you nuts" lol, but I kept it up and finally he got it, he knew I was inviting him to get me before I got him lol. After 2 weeks we went shopping for toys, an assortment, didn't know what would capture his interest, I had to tease him with the toys, entice him to play, got on all fours, put furry squeaky toys in MY mouth and shook them out lol, after a day acting like a fool he lunged at me to take the toy from me, didn't take long before he was killing all furry and squeaky toys and sending them air bound.....The yard was easy, he was never off leash with prev. owner, the day after I got him I took him to the yard, he took off like amini greyhound, I could hear him singing "born free" lol, 3 days in the yard paying greyhound his hunting instincts kicked in. I was lucky, I was/ am able to speak to a family member and got some back ground on my lil boy. You don't know what her past was, she has to gain trust in you on her terms, work slowly and gently with her, like yorkietalkjilly suggested play roll the ball, follow her advise, it may time time, but your little girl will play, she may even make up games she likes, like steel a sock and have you chase after her, it could be anything she knows he is not supposed to have, yorkies are great for being big teasers. Please keep us up-dated on her progress.

[joyce evans]

Have you tried one of the toys that you stuff treats in? IDK if they would help or not but maybe worth a try. If she likes it take it away and tease her a little with it. Throw it and let her go and get it and then take it and throw it again. If that works start using different toys playing the same game. My Chi doesn't care for toys but let me put my hand under a blanket or throw and move it around and you'd think she was onto a mouse or something. Maybe you just haven't found the game she likes to play yet? My moms 7 yr. old won't play with toys. I make her play by gently grabbing her butt and shaking her a little and it puts her in play mode and before I know it she's zooming around the room. Does she wiggle her tail? That's a sign of a happy pup. Or does she appear to be stressed? It may just take her more time to adjust. My foster doesn't care anything about toys but he finds other things to keep himself amused. Water, mud, cats, running like the wind...so I can tell he's adjusted and happy. In short if your pup appears comfortable, happy and healthy I wouldn't worry to much about it. I think some are just more playful and more curious than others so I wouldn't invest in a lot of expensive toys until you know that she will play with them. Just make sure that she's not showing signs of being ill or in pain like others have stated.