teaching a P.M. rescue to play?
 

I've had sammy since early november. He's about 9 years old, no teeth. He is a total, submissive sweetheart! The best cuddler (and snorer) you've ever known! But, like many puppy mill rescues, he doesn't know how to play with people, other dogs, or toys.... He is not food motivated. His favorite pastime is hanging out on the couch, though he is learning walking is ok.
I just don't see any JOY in him... You know-when a puppy plays they get that joyful look? I want him to have fun, not just passively enjoy life (which is ok if that is what he truly needs).

If anyone has any suggestions AT ALL, I would try anything! (he has a poodle sister who is 9 lbs, a bit big for him, but he runs when she looks like she might want to play with him).
ONE TIME he picked up a toy and threw it in the air twice (about 3 months ago).... then he ran and hid....

My sweet Annie B was a breeder at a puppy mill before I got her at 4 1/2 yrs old. It sounds like Sammy is a lot like she was, no teeth, no idea about toys or playing. Well, other then the food motivated part...Annie was very food motivated. :rolleyes:

She never did play with toys, although I final stumbled upon a small rope that she liked to chew on. But not always, only on occasion. She never really played with Sadie or Boo, but would lay with them and enjoyed being near them. It took me nearly 2 years to get her over most of her fears and for me to see joy in her face.

Small steps, always watching out for her stress levels and double watchful of what was going so that she always knew I would protect her. She did come around and finally was able to enjoy life, although she never did typical dog things, she had a great 8 years with me before the Lord called her home.

Give Sammy some time, work hard at protecting him so that he'll learn that you will take care of everything and he can just relax and enjoy life. I've a million stories I could share, but won't bore you with them. But please feel free to contact me at any time if you'd like some input or things to try. They are just a little different then other dogs, but the love, affection and devotion you get back is huge!

Annie the day I brought her home.
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Happy Annie
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Ready for her ride on the motorcycle, one of her absolute favorite things to do that didn't involve food. :p
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God bless you for rescuing little Sammy!! Our rescue recently got 9 little ones from a puppymill bust and I have been trying to get every bit of information that I can find so we can provide it to the new parents when they are adopted. Here's a couple of links that has some very good information ...
http://www.i-love-dogs.com/dog-articles/Dog_Training/page_16/Puppy_Mill_Breeding_Dog_Rehabilitation.html
http://www.mchumane.org/RehabilitationofaPuppyMillDog.shtml

Sadly, there are some that never lose that sad, desolate look in their eyes. All you can do is love them and accept them the way they are and just continue to give them the best home possible. Sounds like Sammy has a wonderful loving home. If we can help you in any way, please just ask.

Teresa .... what a wonderful person you are for accepting and loving sweet Annie B in spite of her imperfections! So many people would have just passed her by. I'm so happy for her that she had 8 wonderful, happy years with you and I'm certain that she felt all the love!

We rescued Lane from a puppymill bust just before Christmas 2008. So, we will have had her exactly 4 months tomorrow, but it surely feels longer - I can't imagine my life without her.

I think Rory, the yorkie we already had, really taught Lane how to play. Lane was estimated to be around 2 when we rescued her (and in much better shape than some of these sweet rescues), and Rory will be 2 in August, so I think that they are similar in age/activity level probably helped. She has mimicked many of the things we have seen Rory do. The first time I saw Lane play on her own was for a bully stick. She kind of walked past it and then kind of tried to play with it almost how she'd play with another dog - little butt up in the air, pouncing around.

When we first got her she had NO idea what to do with a toy, the squeakers scared her, she must have thought Rory was crazy with her fetch obsession, and now she is joining right in. I was so upset thinking she may never show that joy on her face that you are talking about...but at 9 years old, coming from such a horrible place, I'm sure living with you is just like Heaven!

Does your poodle like to play with toys or balls? Maybe if Sammy sees her play with the toys, he will start to model some of his behavior after hers? Another thing to consider is that he may just be more of a cuddle bug than a "player." I know you said he wasn't food motivated, and I don't think that chews would excite him since the poor baby can't chew very well.

Does he show any interest in a plush toy if you let him sniff it?

Imperfections???? :eek: Annie didn't have any, it's everyone else who thought she looked funny that had the imperfection. ;) I doubt I'll ever have another like her. She was the first breath of air that filled my lungs each morning and the last sigh that escaped each night as I went to sleep, with her curled up next to my head. I still miss her soooo much. But life goes on, and it is good, she brought me not only Gracie Ruth but Yogi to heal my broken heart. It took two Yorkies to fill the hole that she left. :)

My poodle, Abby, does play with plushes and balls, but it scares sammy so bad, he goes and hides behind the toilet!

And just so you wonderful folks know-he doesn't have a sad look in his eyes.... he's just not joyful!

Aww, poor Sammy. He probably just thinks Abby is crazy. I kind of think in his own time he might start to get curious about what it is she is doing and investigate. I'll bet *he* thinks his life is perfect as it is already. :)

Are there any small puppy play groups on your area? Where I send Milo to doggy daycare they have puppy socials in two groups to teach dogs how to just be dogs and have fun.:thumbup::)

That is a really good point! Rory had always attended daycare while we were at work, and once we added Lane to the mix she started attending every day during the work week too. I could have easily underestimated how valuable that was to teaching her how to play...

I saw it on a dog whisperer, I forget the show but he does it a lot he says that it takes balanced dogs to rehabilitate non balanced dogs, so I just figured it was worth a shot to mention.