Why doesn't he play!? :( 1 Attachment(s) Thanks so so much for the warm welcome and the great advice on my last post! I really appreciate it! It feels like such a family here. I can't wait to become part of it! :) Well, for those of you who don't know, I just adopted a 8 year old, Yorkiepoo (part Yorkie part Poodle). He is very shy and skittish. His old owners really didn't care for him or do anything for him. He basically just sat in a room by him self all day long. Well, since I have gotten him, he has been staying in his little tent. I was worried about him not coming out. But today (I got him Saturday evening), he came out twice, which I think is progress! And each time he stayed out a little longer -- still not long, but its progress! When he comes out I give him a treat, pet him, get on the floor with him and try to play with him. This is the question and concern I have. He does not play :( Is this normal? When I went to get him I didn't see any toys around the room. So I went to the pet store that night and got him some toys and he wont touch them. I try playing fetch, and nothing. Now I know he is older, but I don't think that has anything to do with it because he doesn't look or act old. He reminds me of all my other 4-5 year old dogs I have had. He doesn't act or remind me of a senior at all. Could this be that he is just not used to playing? Or that he doesn't know how to play?! How can I teach him or get him to take a stuffie or play fetch? My last purebred Yorkie loved toys! I had them everywhere! Could it be that Poodles aren't playful and he is just getting that trait from his Poodle side? I'm just worried about him! I want him to thrive in my home! I want him to feel loved, which he hasn't and you can tell he is not used to love and attention, which is just so sad and breaks my heart. Arg! I just don't know about these people who get animals and can't or don't take care of them. It's horrible and literally makes me ill. Anyways, thanks so much! Here is a pic of him on his second day of me having him. He was out of the tent, but near it! Haha! Also, I was wondering what you guys think... Do you think he looks more Yorkie or more Poodle!? I definitely think he takes the Yorkie side! :) Love :2hearts2: Hugs :hug: Pawprints :animal-pa Keri and Little Lucky |
I just wanted to say what a cutie you have there! |
His hair looks like a good mix between poodle and yorkie but his features look more yorkie to me! very cute! I think it will all just take time. You havent had him that long. And if he doesnt want to play i wouldnt push it. Wait until you have had him longer and he is all settled in. It can take months for somedogs to settle in and really act like themselves. It will be worth it tho. |
He'll break in and learn to relax. Sounds like he just has a little bit of anxiety right now. I've had some dogs that didn't like to play at all but what usually brings their playfulness out is a flashlight or laser pointer :) Good luck, he is adorable. |
I'm assuming you have him vet-checked out already and know that he is fully healthy and that is not what is causing his nonplay. Some older dogs don't play a lot and many dogs never learned now to play. Once he's settled in and very comfortable, bounce a ball away from him and say "Get it, Boy!" or get a toy and kind of shake it toward him and quickly put it behind your back. Keep doing that if he doesn't withdraw and seems interested. Walk your fingers toward him on the floor saying "I'm gonna get you!" and then gently grab him playfully. Repeat if he seems to enjoy. Usually a happy and healthy dog will react to those type of activities whether they know play or not. It is just a dog being a dog and they usually can't help but react positively to things like that. Tossing kibble for them to fetch is an easy way to teach them to run and pounce on things and get them up and moving. Good luck with your baby. |
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Oh, Lord, he is precious! I love his coloring and little face. |
Oh goodness....that baby is such a sweetheart! Beautiful colors! |
He is a beautiful little tike! He definitely has yorkie features. You can see it in his face. Bless his heart, he just doesn't know how to play. Give him time, and he'll come around! |
Give him time. His face and ears look yorkie to me. When we first brought Sissy home, she was scared to death and stayed in her bed. Gradually she started coming out and would come over to me if I was sitting on the floor(maybe because I had treats in my pocket?). Little by little things got better and she came up on the couch by me. Bubba is a ball, toys playing spaz 24hrs a day-her she plays very little. She has a little stuffed bear she sleeps with and will occasionally play ball but only for a few minutes. I don't know if she just doesn't care to play or if princesses just don't mess their hair by playing silly games. |
Aaaah, there's progress for you, already!!:D He's gorgeous - and looks more Yorkie to me, too. Sounds to me like he has no idea about toys or play - he probably wonders what on earth mummy's doing!! ;) I too do 'incy wincy spider' on the floor, play 'fetch the kibble', knot up old (clean!!) socks to try fetch, tug and just generally waggle them around. Harry loves bubble mixture, trying to catch and burst them. That's brilliant fun - I usually continue playing that long after he's worn out!! :) My very first dog was a poodle - and he was very playful but I don't know if they all are. I do know they're extremely intelligent and are brilliant agility dogs. He also used to love flinging around a piece of orange peel (please try it - it's sooo funny!!). Congratulations on all you've achieved so far, it's still very early days and you're both doing brilliantly! Sally + Harry x |
To me he looks more like a Yorkie. He is just adorable! |
If he's typically shy & skittish before you got him, it's going to take quite awhile for him to come around to his new environment. Don't rush him. You have to earn his trust, and it won't be anything that happens quickly. It's only been 3 days. If he's not used to getting attention, his new world is most likely overwhelming. Take it a little at a time, and give him all the time he needs. If you rush him, you're likely to set him backwards instead of little bits of progress at a time. You have to be patient! He's sure a cutie!!! |
Brandi was 7 when I got her and she did not play with toys either, in fact 4 yrs later she still doesn't play with toys but I found ways of getting her to play. She loves to play tag ( I chased her and then she chases me) and hide and seek. And trust me that took awhile but she does play. I think once the little guy feels safe and secure...you will start to see his personality and better able to judge the best way to get him to play. |
He is cute! He just needs some time. Some take longer than others to warm up to a new home and setting. :) |
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