My Doberman Will Not Play With Toys?

Question

Hello all,

My Doberman and I are best buds. We sleep, play together, and hangout constantly. When I'm away I feel very guilty. So I buy him alot of toys. However he doesn't like toys but just waiting for me at the door or crying when I go to work or to see my GF. Getting another dog is not an option. What should I do to help him pass the time?

Thank you all for the prompt replies. I bought him more than 5 kong toys and I do stuff pb in them. Once the pb is gone he stop playing with it. He also destroy all the toys (rope, stuff animal, rubber duckie..etc) as soon as he receives. I don't give him pig ears because it upsets his stomach. I take him to dog park atleast once a week but I can not afford dog daycare. What should I do? I feel very guilty.

He does have speration anxiety. I adopted him from the pound right before he was about to be destroyed because the pound officer told me he was abused and abandoned. That was 2.5 years ago and I think he is back to normal

Answer 1

Congratulations on adopting your doberman from a pound, thank you!

It sounds like you have thought of just about everything and that you are a very loving and concerned pet owner. We have shared our lives and home over the past 30 years with six different dobermans. They were all similar in certain ways but had very different personalities.

Some of them loved toys and other didn't much care about playing with toys. Dobermans have a very strong connection with their "pack" and don't do as well as some other breeds when it comes to being left alone.

If another dog isn't a consideration (don't laugh), have you considered a cat? Cats require less time from you and the right cat might give your dog the companionship he obviously needs while you are gone.

We were always involved in rescue (our own and others) and have always had several dogs and cats in our home. All of our dobermans got along well with the cats.

I'm not saying this is the answer you are looking for, it might just be something to consider.

If your dog is really suffering from "separation anxiety" your vet can perscribe some medication for him that may help. That would probably be my only other idea.

It sounds like you spend a lot of time with your dog and he is very lucky to have you. I wish you all the best with whatever you do.

Answer 2

Find a doggie day care to take him to while you are at work- it is good for dogs to have interaction with other dogs. See if you can find a Petsmart near you- it's usually $15 a day, even if you can only get him in for 1 or 2 days a week, at least its a change of pace for him, he gets to see people and dogs and be stimulated.

Also, try is working him. Dobermans are working dogs, and giving him a job to do while you are there can help reduce his stress when you're gone. Take him hiking and have him carry a backpack, teach him search and rescue, teach him advanced obedience, etc. Make sure he gets 1-2 hours of hard exercise every day, as well as as much mental stimulation (training, working, etc.) as you can give him.

Another thing you might try is crating him when you're gone. Most people say dogs are more secure if they are left in a soft, warm crate, which is their throwback to wolves and dens, than if you leave him in a big empty house all alone, which will make him pace and fret. Buy a crate large enough for him to stand up, turn around, and not bump anything. If it's an open wire crate, drape a dark blanket over one end for security. Play soft music for him. Just don't put any destructible toys in the crate, as he could choke while you're gone.

Answer 3

Boy can I relate. I have a "Kong"for each of them that I stuff with peanut butter, broken biscuits, bits of cheese etc. They have a good time trying to lick out the stuffing but this will not fill up all the hours that you are gone. My son is at home to look after our two but even then they do not play a lot when I am gone. They pretty much sleep a lot , go out for their business , then sleep some more til I am home. I hate leaving the two of them but someone has to pay for the dogfood.

Answer 4

You can try giving him a Kong toy with PB in the center to keep him occupied. Put peanut butter in the center and freeze it, then give it to him, it takes longer for him to lick it out. Also, try putting the TV on for him or the radio. Studies show that country music works best to soothe dogs. Also, try making a tape of your voice to play for him. Read a book outloud into a recorder, or something to play for him while you're gone. Just a few things to try.

Answer 5

One - I would make sure that he isn't displaying separation anxiety and not just separation distress. The best way to diagnose this is to video tape the dog while you are gone. Make sure that your departures and arrivals are neutral.

http://home.gci.net/~divs/behavior/bemod_uncoup.html


Limit the amount of toys he has access to. Put the rest away and then from week to week rotate the toys so that retain a 'novel' value to them.

Hire a dog walker.
Look into doggy daycare.
Check out Kong Time -http://www.kongtime.com/

Answer 6

Kongs are good, but doggie daycare is GREAT! If you are in the NJ area, visit Unleashed Club for Dogs in Toms River!

Answer 7

I would try a kong and stuff it with peanut butter and cream cheese, kong's come with some neat recipes to try. That might keep him busy. I wouldn't try any rawhides or pig ears, etc. Those types of bones you need to be present when he chews on them, they splinter off and he can choke or swallow a large piece and can get obstructed in his intestines.

Answer 8

A big juicy bone but really he just wants to be with u.

Answer 9

Get him some good meaty or just flavorful bones. try cow hooves, my pits love those things and they last a while.

Answer 10

Buy him a live rabbit