My dog won't play with me

[Teresa Hull]

We lost our 12 year old golden retriever/yellow lab mix 2 months ago. This left behind our 3 year old pug/chi mix, Frisket. We found through rescue a lab mix who was about 9 weeks old, Tucker. After a few touch and go days the dogs get along fairly well with lots of wrestling and an occasional disagreement but I feel like the puppy is not bonding with us. I take him outside to play with him and he basically ignores me. He will occasionally chase a ball but quickly loses interest. We with took him on a trip without the older dog and had a good few days with him. I am just not sure what to do. We are working on socializing him and take him with us on short trips. He can be very affectionate and seems to learn very quickly but I find this frustrating. Thanks for your help.

Teresa

[Mario Niepel]

Teresa, how long have you had your rescue? Just a few weeks, right? So I would give it some time. It might take a little while for your rescue to warm up to you and trust you.

Also, all dogs do have their different personalities. Some dogs are just more into being with their people-pack members, while others care more for the company of fellow dogs.

But, you can certainly train your pup to play with you. You just have to make it rewarding for the dog.

[David Crandall]

But, you can certainly train your pup to play with you. You just have to make it rewarding for the dog.

That's probably your best bet. Also, some dogs just aren't interested in playing. I think it's not completely typical for a lab, but it's not unusual in some other breeds. One of our elkhounds will never play, no matter how hard we try. The other will play about half the time (as long as he gets to choose the game). Otherwise he gets bored and wanders off to pee on something.

Dave

[Teresa Hull]

Thanks for your replies. I will continue to try to get him to play. We have had him about 7 weeks and he is still a baby really. Maybe he will warm up to playing. I know each dog has a different personality but I thought labs normally were very playful.

Teresa
http://lifeski.smugmug.com/photos/18818916-M.jpg

[Jill Ramsey]

What a cutie!! I love labs!!LOL
Just give him some time. There's so much for puppies to do, see, smell. Labs just want to be with you, they don't always play. Does your pup like to fetch? Most labs live to fetch. To them, that's play!! When I'm outside with Finnegan, he either wants to fetch, or kill his ball. He just wants me there to watch, I guess. :D

[Teresa Hull]

Thanks Jill. I love labs too. Tucker will not fetch a ball or frisbee outside but he does love sticks. We don't really have any trees so a friend is supposed to be cutting me some good sticks for him. I know sticks can be dangerous but if that is what it takes to "teach" him to play then so be it. Inside he will chase a ball and catch a ball until Frisket interupts. I wondered if I needed to seperate Frisket and Tucker more to let them play less and maybe he will be interested in playing with us more. Thanks again for the input and good luck with the new puppy.
Teresa




What a cutie!! I love labs!!LOL
Just give him some time. There's so much for puppies to do, see, smell. Labs just want to be with you, they don't always play. Does your pup like to fetch? Most labs live to fetch. To them, that's play!! When I'm outside with Finnegan, he either wants to fetch, or kill his ball. He just wants me there to watch, I guess. :D

[Jill Ramsey]

Both dogs should get their "alone" time with you. Especially when training. It's hard enough for some dogs to concentrate without a playmate there to interrupt. :p

The sticks are bad only if he starts eating them. Finnegan still likes to chew sticks. I think he thinks his middle name is "leave it". :shrug:

[Melissa Brunoehler]

Hi Teresa~

Puppies have very short attention spans, it's perfectly normal for him to be interested in you for one second then be on to something else the next. What I think will help in your case is~

1. Leave your puppy wanting more- by that I mean You stop the petting & playing before your puppy does.

2. Put your dogs on NILIF- you can read about NILIF in the articles section. This will help your dogs to realize that all good things come from you & the other humans in the house

3. Have one on one time separately with each pup- it can be a quick walk, obedience training, whatever

Thank you for rescueing & keep up the good work socializing him!

Thanks Jill. I love labs too. Tucker will not fetch a ball or frisbee outside but he does love sticks. We don't really have any trees so a friend is supposed to be cutting me some good sticks for him. I know sticks can be dangerous but if that is what it takes to "teach" him to play then so be it. Inside he will chase a ball and catch a ball until Frisket interupts. I wondered if I needed to seperate Frisket and Tucker more to let them play less and maybe he will be interested in playing with us more. Thanks again for the input and good luck with the new puppy.
Teresa

[Amber]

Teresa,

I've had my Peekapoo/Shih-Tzu mix, Sally (her pic is my avatar) since November. I adopted her from the no-kill animal shelter that I volunteer at. She will be 2 in May. If it helps you any, she is just getting to where she is REALLY bonding with me. She has multiple issues, one of them being human trust issues, which makes it hard for her to bond with people. What I did was, after she was comfortable with me petting her and picking her up, I would spend "bonding time" up on my bed with her each night. I just lay on my bed, watch T.V., and pet her. She was 1 of 32 dogs and recieved no human contact the first 6 months of her life (she was surrendered to the shelter at 6 months), so doesn't know how to play with people. Luckily we have another small dog she gets along with.

It may just take some time with Tucker. One day you may wake up and he'll be bounding up to you to give you kisses! Never know...

[Luciann]

Teresa

You dogs are adorable together. Well my two cents worth, again i have two chis.

my male loves to bring me his toys to play tug of war with and then for me to throw for him to chase but the female really does not play with me other than when i am playing with her face some. She will play with my male constantly and aggrivate him to chase her. She has bonded with me but does not perfer to play with me. She cudddles with me and wants me to hold her and stuff but is not into the play, she is 10 months old and would rather chew on a pigs ear instead.

I would think sticks are fine as long as you are careful what kind of wood they are. If you have a tractor supply or pet store around look for the rawhide logs for him to chase and see if he will do that