How do I get my dog to play??

Question

I adotped a dog from a local shelter. She was rescued from an abusive home. She's great and what not but she doesn't like to play. AT ALL. We've given her a huge vareity of toys. but she won't touch them. She won't even play with me. She'll play fight with my other dog though. Does anyone have any tips..suggestions..answers..?

I adotped a dog from a local shelter. She was rescued from an abusive home. She's great and what not but she doesn't like to play. AT ALL. We've given her a huge vareity of toys. but she won't touch them. She won't even play with me. She'll play fight with my other dog though. Does anyone have any tips..suggestions..answers..?

[We've had her for well over a month.]

Answer 1

Let her get comfortable and used to the place.. She'll come around when she is ready. You can't go thru that trauma one day and expect to be playing with toys the next.. She's likely still paranoid that someone is going to smack her.

Answer 2

Make sure she sees you playing with the toys ask her to join you. Whenever she gets close to a toy encourage her to play with it if she starts getting curious about it pet her, or give her a small treat (mix petting her with treats, other wise she will keep asking for treats).
That way she will understand that being near the toy is ok, keep doing this until she starts playing with it.

Its a matter of time, let her get used to it. If she came from an abusive home give her some time to understand that things are different and that you now love her and want to play with her.

good luck with your dog!

Answer 3

she may be scared that you are going to hurt her when you throw the toy etc.
let her learn to trust you then gradually she will become curious and want to play
some dogs are nasturally more playful then others and some dogs are more lazy but since she plays with your other dog id say she isnt lazy. maybe she gets tired after playing with your other dog so simply doesnt wan to play any longer.
suggestions: try to get your other dog involved the other one will be bound to play, take her tot he petstore and let her "choose " a toy, leave other dog in house and take new dog outside and try to play with her. Good luck! thanks for rescuing

Answer 4

Some dogs are just like this. My female Doberman is very submissive, so she will play with our other dogs, but not me since she sees me as the alpha. Many submissive tempered dogs will not play with the alpha in the family, and others just don't find it entertaining. There is nothing wrong with her at all.
Also, if you just got her, she may just need to feel more comfortable before she plays with you, but if it never happens, don't worry.

Answer 5

use a lot of affection to gain her trust then in her own time she'll come around. Don't rush her, It is traumatic going from a shelter to a new home and who knows what humans have done to her in the past.

Answer 6

how old is she? and how long have u had her? older dogs tend not to wanna play as much but it sounds like she has a really bad history let her adjust to you im sure she will love u with time and will become more comfortable around you and she will want to play
i have a dog a lab hes 1 and 4 months and he plays too much haha sometimes i wish he would just shut the **** up and go to sleep lol

Answer 7

Continue to be patient! Give her lots of one on one and gentle persuasion! She will come around and most likely be the best dog you ever had! Having been at the shelter she is still very traumatized!

Answer 8

take way the toys, she need to interact with you first ,
if she was abused,she is not feeling like playing ,
try feeding her out you hand, for a day or so , then maybe buy a sweeky toy, slowly but sure she will play a little

Answer 9

try playing with the toy in front of the dog.. she may see that you are having fun and will want to play with you.. also try a pair of old socks tie them in a knot and try to herher to play tug of war with you.. my dog used to love it

Answer 10

give her time she'll learn to trust you