I wish he would play!

[Pat and Traveler]

This is a photo of a web cam image at my favorite doggie day care.  There are always people with the dogs, it's clean and friendly, the dogs are temperment screened before they can join--just a great place.  Trav loves to go there, but I've watched him on the web cam and he just plays with the other dogs for a short time, then finds a vantage point and simply waits for me.  That's him on the table.  I wish he would play--that's why I take him there, so he can have some good socialization and fun!  I know he just settles and waits for me when he's home alone too, because he's always in the same place when I get home--on the foot of the bed, where he can watch the driveway.  If I'm with him--like at a dog park or some other off-leash venue, he'll play quite happily with other dogs for as long as I'll let him, but I think he always knows exactly where I am. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

He may be just "doing his thing".  I wouldn't worry too much about it as long as he does spend some of his time playing with the other dogs.  What do your Daycare people say about it?  Maybe if he's off by himself too long, they could try to re-engage him.

[Camilla and Darwin]

It took Darwin a little while to start playing with the other pups. Still, when he gets tired he tends to climb up on the play ramp and just look down at all of the dogs. I have a few webcam snapshots of this, but can't find them.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Yes, it's pretty good, Rosey went a lot more as a pup.  And she loves to play with dogs so we got Bandit.  But now that we have 2 to send them both every day would cost a fortune.  So they go twice a week.  Maybe he needs a sister!! LOL!

[Pat and Traveler]

Cute photo, Suzann.  Sounds like you've got a GREAT place for your doods!  I don't take Trav to day care too often as I'm home during the day.  He might react quite differently if he were there every day.  I just wanted to take him once in a while so he could run off some energy and keep up interaction with other dogs. 

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

see!!    The workers at their care kept Rosey with small dogs at first and in smaller groups and she eventually made "friends"  I know that our care will really work with dogs to get them engaged in play.  It could be confidence, but I am by no means an expert!!

[Pat and Traveler]

Yeah, Suzann--pics of the cam.  Glad I'm not the only one.  LOL   I'm not sure what to do--he plays just fine with other dogs, anytime and anywhere, as long as I'm there too.  Does that mean he's lacking confidence?  I hadn't thought of it that way. 

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Oh I am not the only one who takes pics of the cam!! LOL!!  But seriously.. it took Rosey a while to engage.  How long has he been going there? Our daycare was great with Rosey and tried different dogs for her to play with one on one to build her confidence.  Finally a little dachsund opened her up.  Now that R&B are both there they play a lot with each other.  But sometimes they do just lay around.  Can you talk to them and try to get them to work with him?