Time, patience constant reassurance.
It took Elvis over a year before he played with toys.
I thought he just had no interest and was just content watching the other dogs play...slowly he would venture from being my constant shadow to exploring, as long as I'm in sight.
One day he just flew off the couch to get the sqeaky stuffy!
He plays a bit now, if course he has medical issues, severe arthritis, so I imagine him being on meds for his joints and inflamation helps.
Always rule out medical issues first then look at behavioral.
To be fair some dogs take a longer time to adjust to new surroundings, and some do better in calm households...if I was that small I too woukd want people to approach me at my level, slowly reach at me comfort me, pet down my back then lift me in a way that was comfortable.
We are often sudden swooping giants to these lil guys.
Ya know we joked about it but thinkong back I don't think Elvis was ever picked up!
He'd "swim" and be unsure unless held very close and honestly as much as he loves to be a lap dog unless we are out he prefers to walk himself...well to follow directlt behind me-always! |