How to get the doodle to play?

[Deena Womack]

It has been 3 and half weeks since we brought our little girl home. They believe she is about 2 years old and she was so timid at first. I don't know what she has been through but I believe she has been through a lot in a very short time. Ok, I can go on and on here, but she seems to be very afraid to play with any toys. We have tried everything, I bought a chicken scented tennis ball, who knew that was even an option, she sniffs it and doesn't show a lot of interest. We bought a kong ball and put the treats in and one afternoon after rolling it along and showing her how to get the treats, ( I was doing a lot of work here), I finally walked away and she brought it into me finally. That was the one and only time, she never really wanted anything to do with it again. And I got so excited as I thought wow, she found something she really liked. I know it sounds like maybe we are trying too hard, but really we are not and she just seems to have no interest whatsoever. I just can't imagine what a dog would have to go through to not know how to play, but that is the part that tugs at my heart. If she never plays with her toys, I wouldn't love her any less, but I do want her to feel comfortable enough, that she can play with or without her toys if she wants. Any suggestions or ideas that anyone would like to share, I would very much appreciate it. (Anything that sqeaks is not an option as she does not like that at all. Do you know how many dog toys there are out there that does sqeak?).

[Joe R.]

Just give her a lot of time. Our Lily was fairly timid after we got her home. Never really had problems playing, but she had other problems. She would just drop to the floor if you tried to touch her belly area. She actually snapped at me few times. It took over a month before she would let me pick her up. That was back in April and now she'll roll over in the classic doodle pose to have her belly rubbed. Just give it time. How much background info do you have on her?

[Deena Womack]

Very little background info. Seems she was "found" in a dog shelter covered in fleas. The vet had an idea she might be a hurricane rescue, I am really not sure. She is such a well mannered dog and we are defintely willing to give her time. I just thought I would ask for any ideas that I wasn't thinking of. Thanks for the response.

[Joe R.]

Good luck. I just looked at your photos of her. She's a beautiful girl. She looks like she's about the same size as our Lilly.

[1qrgkdwnfqccb]

i am sorry to say that i have few suggestions for you, but time and hard work to build up her confidence so she can gain the trust she needs to feel comfortable. maybe she needs to be "taught" playing....
do you know her background? because if she were kept in a cage or crate, like from a puppy mill she would have had no experiences with any kind of play.

my heart goes out to you! i am sure the great people here at DK will have many suggestions, maybe leave adinia a personal message, she always has very helpful ideas!!

good luck and keep us posted!!

[Deena Womack]

Very limited info on her background. I am very open to any ideas, we will keep working with her. I am just fearful of scaring her more, so we don't push the toys at her, but rather try to let her explore. I really love this website for everyone's ideas or suggestions.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

My Jackdoodle was purchased in a pet store and dumped by his owners in a shelter at 14 months. He is tennis ball obsessed, but otherwise has no idea at all how to play with toys. We have tried tug toys, stuffed animals, kongs, "hide-squirrel", you name it; he just doesn't know what to do with them, even when we try to play with him. (You may want to view my video here "stupid pet-owner tricks", where I try to show him how to play with a toy...it's pretty funny.) Jack also came with a lot of fear issues...the first time we tried to play the chasing games (I'm gonna get you, etc.), I thought he would have a heart attack from fright. Occasionally now, he will pick up a stuffed animal & throw it around a little, but mostly it's fetching a ball, or nothing at all. We have basically accepted that this is who he is.
Rescues have different issues and different "ways" than "normal" dogs. The DK members who bought well-adjusted puppies have much different experiences than you, Joe or I. I think it would be a good idea if you started this discussion in the "Rescued Doodles" group- Lynne NJ and some of the others there have great experience & advice with these issues.
(The stuffed animals that Jack will occasionally play with are the AKC animals that look like realistic "game animals" like ducks, possums, etc., and they do not squeak...they make grunt-y or honk-y noises which don't seem as frightening to Jack.) Good Luck!

[Deena Womack]

Love the video. I can relate, although I have to say I have yet to have a toy in my mouth yet. LOL!!

[Tante & Jordan & now Annie!]

Oh I feel your pain..
I agree give her time,you have no idea what her life was before you. She will come around,once she trust you.
Jordan does not "play with us". She will play tuggy with other dogs, but if I try to play tug o war.She just drops the rope.
She is a bit ball crazy, she will fetch all day long with us. Jordan has never wrestled with us ever.Never was nippy.Non of that.
My sister used to say that Jordan was "slow" because she never played with people.It is just Jordan's nature to be completely submissive to people.


I would buy rope toys,kongs,balls,uncooked bones, non-rawhide bones.I would leave them everywhere.
Is there any other dogs you know who could teach her how to play. (I know,I say that a lot) Dogs watching other dogs would help her I think.Is she OK with other dogs?

[Deena Womack]

We haven't " socialized" her much, but she does seem to get along with other pets we run into on walks around the neighborhood. We can't be too playful with her as she tends to want to hide (usually behind me). She doesn't nip, jump up or anything. She is a very good dog, but I think it is because she is so scared that someone might hurt her or be mean to her.

[1qrgkdwnfqccb]

i just looked at your page, she is beautiful! and she looks happy! just give her time to trust that you or someone else will not hurt her, i bet she will come around, and if she is hiding behind you, she is looking to you to protect her, so she seems to be gaining trust...have you asked you vet on some ideas? or checked into puppy classes that are geared for socialization? that may help too in teaching her how to play?

[IDOGMa]

Most animals do not actually play once they become adults. I suppose that is why people (who play as adults) and dogs (who play as adults) tend to get long so well. Playing is a learned behavior and the linking (learning) in the brain to playing occurs when pups are pups. A dog does not have to go through trauma to not learn how to play, it could just be a situation where the opportunity to play did not occur. Moreover, sometimes a dog learns to play with other dogs but never people.

I tell you this because you need to understand that the desire to have a dog play is not as important to the dog (if he never learned it) than it is for us humans to see the joy of a dog that does know how to play, play. It makes us feel good because we tend to feel good when we play.

Because the dog is two and has only been in the home for 3 weeks (a very short period of time) the goal of getting the dog to play should be on the back burner for now. A dog that has been put in a situation of rescue often has to address far more serious issues such as (aka core needs) - food, water, peeing, pooing, body health, environmental safety and emotional safety well before they can focus on relationships. Playing occurs during relationship development.

I suspect the reason the Kong was of a bit of interest is because it was addressing a different issue - the treats inside which is one of the core needs of the dog.

I would suggest that instead of doing play activities that you shift the attention a bit to "hang with me, I know lots of cool things" and do a low level "play" called Hunting. Grab some interesting things, such as a feather, a fabric softener sheet (used), a rock, and lots of treats. Go outside (or inside if it is icky out) and say "lets hunt" and walk around and point to something you find (as you put what ever interesting thing you have down without her seeing it) and say, wow look what I found, pick it up and show it to her and let her sniff it or eat it. Then say "that’s cool, lets keep hunting" and walk around some more looking for more interesting things.... every time you find something let her see it, let her sniff it, let her put it in her mouth if she wants and then move on to the next thing. The dog will enjoy the low level interactions, and will start to think you are amazing at finding things that she did not even know were there. This will bring joy to her (she uses her nose and thinks a bit) and she gets great treats (which confirms her need for food) and does not put pressure on her. Keep the hunts to only about 5 minutes to not overload.

Remember when dealing with a dog, especially a rescue dog; that we have to put their needs well before our wants until they have a solid foundation.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

WOW Idogma's answer is great! I have never had this trouble, but I think that "hunting is a great idea. Another game you and your little girl might enjoy is "find me". Put a tasty treat in your hand and let her sniff it. Say "find me" and open your hand and let her have the treat. Repeat repeat repeat, etc. Once you are sure she has the idea. Don't open you hand until she touches it with her nose. Repeat etc. Once she totally understands that touching your hand with her nose means treat you can begin to "hide", at first only a bit away, then farther, then behind a chair while she watches and then really 'hiding' in another room. It is a fun game and also provides and "come' response in a fun way. Keep sessions short so leave her wanting more. THANK YOU for rescuing her.