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  #1  
Old October 2nd, 2006, 02:54 PM
lawrensd lawrensd is offline
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dog won't play

I recently adopted a dog. She is 1 year old doxen mix. She gets very excited when i come home. I walk her alot which she enjoys but she won't play. She won't play when i am home or away. I am a college student so I want her to have things to do when I am gone but she wants nothing to do with any of the toys i bought her. I was wondering 1, how can I get her to play when i am home? and 2 what can I do to keep her entertained and happy when I am not home?
She doesn't have anxiety when i leave so that isn't it, I just want to make sure she isn't bored when I am gone.
Thanks
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  #2  
Old October 2nd, 2006, 04:00 PM
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MyBirdIsEvil MyBirdIsEvil is offline
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Maybe she's just not a very playful dog. Dogs have personalities just like people and some just tend to be more calm than others.
As long as it's not because she's unhappy, anxious, sick or something like that, there shouldn't be anything wrong with her not wanting to play.

What kind of play are you wanting her to do? Maybe you just haven't found something she likes yet. I'm not sure what to suggest, since different dogs like different games.
Both of my dogs had absolutely no interest in fetch for a long time, even though we got them both as puppies. My first puppy LOVES playing fetch now but it took a few months just to get her to go after the toy. My other dog still doesn't care much for it, though he'll fetch for a minute or so every once in awhile.
If that's what you're wanting to do with your dog you'll just have to teach it like you teach any other behavior, with lots of praise and perhaps treats. Even after training your dog to do it, she may not have fun with it, it depends on the dog. Some dogs take to a game and learn to love it, and some just never get very excited over it. You'll just have to figure out what kind of stuff gets your dog excited .

As far as her being bored alone, if she's not anxious and doesn't seem to be chewing on anything inappropiate, maybe she's just happy laying around and sleeping all day.
As long as you leave several chew toys there just in case she feels like playing with them, she should be ok. If she gets bored, chances are she'll find a way to amuse herself.

Last edited by MyBirdIsEvil; October 2nd, 2006 at 04:04 PM.
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  #3  
Old October 2nd, 2006, 04:12 PM
Prin Prin is offline
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You can't really entertain a dog when you're not there. Sometimes even the most playful dogs don't touch toys when their owners leave (too upset).
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Old October 2nd, 2006, 04:14 PM
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mastifflover mastifflover is offline
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Buddy does not really play that much. He will fetch something maybe once or twice and then looks at me like you go get it this is dumb. But he loves his chew toys he is just not much of a player. But he is happy and that is all that matters. But he does love to interact with other dogs and play chase in the park.
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Old October 2nd, 2006, 04:18 PM
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chico2 chico2 is offline
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7yr old Bailey(Cocker)does not play,has no toys,because she's not interested.
All she wants to do is eat and cuddle.
I don't know all that much about dogs,but maybe playing is something they learn to like when they are puppies
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