I have a 8 or 9 year old dog. We found her in the woods in a broken down snowmobeiling warming shack. She was coverd in ticks and super skinny with only a day or so to live. (this was when she was 6 or 7.) We brought her to the vet and she is now cured. Except she still has a little bit of limes diesase left. But it is slowly going away. I have two other dogs one a newfi puppy 10 months and another old mix. they love to play ball at the park and stuff. But Anne (she is a bloodhound) Doesnt know how. We tryed thowing a bone for her because she likes bones but she just looked up at us like "What did u throw it for??" She doesnt restle, she only cuddles. there is nothing wrong with cuddling but i want her to have some fun. The vet said it was a possibility she was used as a bear hunting dog and was abused and ran away. She still has a scar from a shock collar. How do i get her to play??
2006-12-27 05:56:40 · 8 answers · asked by Jess 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Sad as it is to say, she may never play. I used to run a Border Collie rescue, and many of the mistreated dogs that came only wanted love and not to romp and play. At her age, she is getting to a calmer age anyway, so I would not worry too much if she chooses not to play. She is probably more thankful and happy to just have a kind and loving hand than you could ever even imagine. You can always try things that are interactive for her so she is getting a mental workout and amusing herself in that way. A kong toy with dog treats in it, or peanut butter smeared inside makes for hours of calm fun for a dog even if it does not look all that fun because she is not bouncing and playing. Chances are she will never play in the conventional sense, but just remember, with your love, and with other forms of enrichment, she can still have a very fulfilling life with you.
By the way, bless you for taking her in and giving her a soft, warm bed, food in her belly, and someone to love her! If there were more people like you in the world, it would be a far better place!
2006-12-27 06:04:31 · answer #1 · answered by Rain S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yep, she may never play, as such, but then, that loving cuddling might be extremely more important to her happiness. Keep her well-exercised of course, and try going to a pet store with her to see if any of their range of toys seem to interest her. If so, buy one and see if her interest rises as you try various ways to play with it.
A second route might be to consider her bred-into-her nature. She is not the best-sighted dog so things thrown might actually leave her field of vision and be things she really cannot play with as designed. Especially at her age. She is, however, probably still very good at smelling. Maybe you could make your own toy from a t-shirt you sleep in for a week (stick it out, it's for her!) and tie a sleeve to a few feet of rope or string. Wuzzle it under her nose a bit, have someone hold her, and drop it to the ground and wander about, farther and farther from her and out of sight. Then have the someone release her and maybe she will follow the scent trail. If so, she might enjoy it very much. You can always "refresh" the t-shirt by sleeping in it a few days...
But if she takes pleasure from the cuddling, try to remember you are looking for pleasure for HER, not for yourself. (Something to remember on walks as well — it is for the dog's exercise, not the owner's.) So long as she is having a wonderful time loving you and basking in your love and approval which it seems likely is VERY different from her formative years, then seeking something else/more is admirable, but not necessarily necessary.
2006-12-27 06:19:11 · answer #2 · answered by roynburton 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tease her with her favorite toy a little bit! Poke her with her toys in the mouth. Wiggle her toys around her face very slowly in a hypnotic manner. Hopefully, she'll open her mouth to catch it. Throw it only a few inches from her. Do this a few times a day. Hopefully by the end of the day she'll want to get the toy. Gradually increase the distance.
Good luck!
2006-12-27 06:00:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Some dogs (especially older dogs) dont liek to play anymore..... think of a 60 year old woman.... she would rather sit and knit than play softball lol its the same kinda thing. With age comes a lot of calming down. just love her the way she is
2006-12-27 06:07:49 · answer #4 · answered by S C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Blood hounds are notorious for just wanting to lay around when they are not on the hunt. Especially if they have been used for hunting in the past.
Sounds to me more like she got lost when on a hunt, and you found her than her being abused.
The one thing you do not want to do is have a hunting dog spayed or neutered. You do you ruin them for hunting.
2006-12-27 06:09:17 · answer #5 · answered by JUAN FRAN$$$ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i found my dog about 2 months ago. if u have another dog, play with that dog and then ur new dog will finally get what it's supposed to do. but if udont have another dog, then i suggest u just kinda do a happy growl and kinda "tease" her. eventually she'll get it
Congrats on ur new dog. Hope u enjoy her company!! God Bless♥
2006-12-27 06:32:19 · answer #6 · answered by ○HiD○ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She is an old dog, maybe the younger one is still in the puppy stage.The other older one may have terrier in him, they like to play.Any way, she may just be a grown up and not like to play....
2006-12-27 06:12:08 · answer #7 · answered by Maw-Maw 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Either you can buy a toy that makes sound, or, honey,the dog is too old to play,many dogs age and react differantly,maybe she's too old and just wants to rest and have a belly rub. if she wants to play she will. work with her on toys for,o,about 2 months and if not playing still..............just too old
sorry hun, best of luck!!!!
bye bye,
jamie A.K.A. Toad
2006-12-27 06:20:01 · answer #8 · answered by Did You SERIOUSLY Just Ask That? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋