Happy does not know how to play with toys
 

Hi,

We got Happy last week. It took some time for him to adjust, but when we put him in pen along with toys, he does not play. He just sits waiting for us.

I checked with breeder and he said Happy does not have a favourite toy :(

He is fine when we crate him, he whines for few minutes and then he calms down.

He is almost 7 months now. What should I do to ensure that he enjoys his toys? I have tried to give him treats, but he dint like any. I have tried with carrots, cucumbers, milk bone treats etc. The only treat which he liked was a bone chew from milk bone. I am not sure what to do, please help..

My older adopted dog doesn't care much at all for toys either. The only time he'll play with them is when the toy is in my hand.

You could try scenting the toys. Wrap them in a previously worn T-shirt of yours for a day or so, maybe he'll be more attracted to them then.

Or maybe you're his favorite toy!

Does he respond to toys when you play WITH him? Sometimes a few throws will develop into a game of fetch! or how about a KONG with a little peanut butter in it?

When I first got Ralph the only toy that I could ever get him to even touch was those stuffies toys they have at petsmart he has a raccoon it have no stuffing in it, but it took me a while to get him to play with it but i taught him to play fetch he threw it around and then eventually he started playing with his other toys and now he plays with all of his toys!

The only time mine play with toys is when we are playing with them. Try fetch and tug of war

At first I thought I had a strange dog for not wanting to play. I have since heard of lots of dogs that don't play. The only time Calleigh will play, only for a couple of minutes, is when I throw her little squeaky ball. She'll play for about 3 throws and then she's done. We try to take a walk everyday, that is her favorite thing. :)

Try playing with the toys with him. Wiggle them around and squeak them if they have squeakers. That's how Gracie got interested in toys. I kind of had to make them come alive for her. She didn't like squeakers at all at first but now it makes her want to kill the toy even more. Her all time favorite toy is a soft little ball that is kind of like a hacky sac. She loves that ball and carries it around in her mouth when she wants to play. She loves to play fetch.

Mine is the same way. She's not interested in playing except with me.:D

He's probably forgotten the concept of play from when he was a puppy. Kind of start reteaching him a bit by getting him to play with something, such as his kibble. Try tossing a piece of kibble across the floor and applauding and praising when he gets it, showing you are happy and plus he will like eating the food. This exercise will usually get the dog enjoying activity and "chasing" after the kibble as you toss if further and further away. Each time he runs and "gets" a piece and you react positively, he will like that. After a few days, toss a small ball instead and use the same words to tell him to get it and react positively when he does. If he doesn't like bouncing balls at first, use a plain small toy to toss.

Also, sitting in the floor and teaching them to play tugowar with a flossie bone or a towel, something like that, will get his competitive juices flowing some more. Just tickle his nose with the end of the tugowar until he bites at it and holds a bit, praise and keep teasing him with it. Eventually he'll probably lock on and pull a bit. Let him have it and praise. Keep trying that until he really starts to pull hard and puts his all into it. My dogs have always loved the "mystery hand" that goes under the quilt and moves around and they try to get it and pounce on it.

Tibbe knew nothing about toys when I got him at 9 mos. of age and now he has baskets of toys and loves to play with them all and I taught him to play by introducing him little by little to the concept of play and then what play with toys actually is. Now he plays with his toys a lot but enjoys us both playing with his toys more than his playing alone. Yorkies are such people lovers they always want their person involved in just about everything they do.

For Optimus if I pick up a toy and pretend like I love it (pet it, coo over it, talk baby talk, be happy) and then put that toy down, he must instantly have it. I don't know if it is a jealous thing or what. We have a snoopy that I'll hold in my lap and pet. The minute I put that thing down and he'll grab it and shake it around.

Most of the time, though, he likes to sit and look out the windows and bark at birds.

:)