Why won't he play?

lozachops · 03-27-2007, 11:49 AM

My new adult rescue dog Scoobie is such a sweety. I have had him four days and I love him already. He is so so affectionate, lively and loves going for walks. He is a Border Collie/Blue heeler so is very energetic and when he comes up to me wagging his tale my first instinct from my other dogs is to grab a ball and start throwing it. He is quite afraid of balls. He cowers away from them. I have tried taking the ball to him and letting him have a sniff and then throwing it. He at first was frightened, and now he just looks after it but doesnt react. I got advice to cut a slit in the ball and fill it with treats. He was still afraid and not interested in the slightest. I then tried a toy catterpilla that squeaks. I have repeatedly thrown this for him but he doesnt want to fetch that either. How else can I play with him, because he definately wants to play, he has a lot of energy even after walks. And theres only so many walks I can take him on!

Captbob · 03-27-2007, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lozachops

My new adult rescue dog Scoobie is such a sweety. I have had him four days and I love him already. He is so so affectionate, lively and loves going for walks. He is a Border Collie/Blue heeler so is very energetic and when he comes up to me wagging his tale my first instinct from my other dogs is to grab a ball and start throwing it. He is quite afraid of balls. He cowers away from them. I have tried taking the ball to him and letting him have a sniff and then throwing it. He at first was frightened, and now he just looks after it but doesnt react. I got advice to cut a slit in the ball and fill it with treats. He was still afraid and not interested in the slightest. I then tried a toy catterpilla that squeaks. I have repeatedly thrown this for him but he doesnt want to fetch that either. How else can I play with him, because he definately wants to play, he has a lot of energy even after walks. And theres only so many walks I can take him on!

Some dogs just dont enjoy playing fetch. Mine will at the dog park, if it sees other dogs playing fetch, but usually she won't.

Amitiel · 03-27-2007, 01:03 PM

see if she will chase the ball - gently roll it across the flooring, maybe across something that will make and interesting but not too loud a noise

RonE · 03-27-2007, 01:56 PM

Fetch is WAY over-rated. Dogs who like it become obsessive about it. Mine would rather chase and bring back a tennis ball than eat (and that's saying something.) If a ball rolls under the sofa, and you don't notice it right away, it's time to shop for a new sofa.

Teach your dog ballroom dancing instead.

Shalva · 03-27-2007, 02:17 PM

remember fetch is a game that often needs to be taught to most breeds that are not retrievers who fetch naturally.... or should fetch naturally..... your dog is not a retriever and is a herding breed and you might find that there are other games that he would more naturally enjoy due to his breed and instinct.....

if you want to teach a retrieve/fetch I can help you do that and there are websites on teaching a retrieve.... but it is likely that your dog of your breed may not naturally want to do that.....

also keep in mind that your dog is 4 and the fact that he was afraid of the ball is troublesome to me..... you don't know what kind of baggage he has in his past life before you came and rescued him..... did someone throw things at him... did he get in trouble for chewing up tennis balls.... you don't know these things so keep that in mind... your dog is lucky to have found you and over time you will learn more about your dog, what he likes and doesn't like and you will come up with games that you can play together.....
so be patient .....

if you want to teach a retrieve the first step is whenever he brings you something no matter what it is.... shoes, laundry, dirty underwear, toys whatever..... no matter what he brings you want to act like the biggest idiot in the world and be very very excited about it...... like what ever in the world made you deserve to have such a wonderful dog that would bring you wonderful things like underwear........ make bringing you things a good thing.... don't try and throw it maybe take the article that he brought and give a treat so trade with your dog.... or just take the thing and praise and pet..... but you have to make bringing you things a good thing.... not matter what it is.....
that would be your first step to teaching a retrieve or fetch......
s

aero4ever · 03-27-2007, 03:44 PM

I would probably give him more time to adjust and get the hang of things. When I brought my collie/mix home from the shelter it was like she was lost and didn't know how to play. Not knowing what their complete history is, there could have a lot of uncertainity and it might just take a bit for him to feel safe and cared for in a loving home. Hang in there and be patient I'm sure he'll be driving you nuts before you know it wanting to play all the time! Then you'll be wishing he'd chill out.

CrzyBritNAmerica · 03-27-2007, 03:50 PM

Some dogs really just don't enjoy fethch. Bridgette wouldn't fetch anuthing to save her life. She'll rip a tennis ball into tiny pieces, but if you throw one for her she'll look at me as if to say "um, I believe you threw that, so you can go and get it".

She sees the dogs at the dog park running and chases them like she's trying to get the ball too, but as soon as she realizes they were only running after a ball she gets annoyed and looks at them like they're crazy. It's funny...but seriously I think fetch is over-rated too.

There's one dog at the park who is completely neurotic over fetching the ball. He will sit and stare at the ball until someone throws it. IMO, play some other kinds of games with your new dog.

HarleyQuinn · 03-27-2007, 03:58 PM

My old sheltie hated fetch. Had her since she was able to leave her mom and over the 11 years of having her she never once played fetch. Some dogs just really don't enjoy it. It comes naturally to the two I have now. It's like forcing your kid to play soccer. Not all of them enjoy it.

lozachops · 04-05-2007, 10:54 AM

Update: Yesterday I was outside with Scoobie and decided to attempt the ball throwing again. I picked up the ball and threw it and he wandered over to it and sniffed it and then came back to me. I then led him back to the ball and picked it up and patted him and enthusiastically said over and over good boy good boy. Then I threw it again and SECOND time he ran to it picked it up and brought it back to me. I made a crazy fuss over him and threw it again and he brought it back to me tail wagging and I made a fuss over him. No treats or anything and now he loves playing with the ball! This is a smart dog isnt it? I cant believe he got it second try and without treats! And after showing no interest previously its a little strange.

CaseLogic · 04-05-2007, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lozachops

Update: Yesterday I was outside with Scoobie and decided to attempt the ball throwing again. I picked up the ball and threw it and he wandered over to it and sniffed it and then came back to me. I then led him back to the ball and picked it up and patted him and enthusiastically said over and over good boy good boy. Then I threw it again and SECOND time he ran to it picked it up and brought it back to me. I made a crazy fuss over him and threw it again and he brought it back to me tail wagging and I made a fuss over him. No treats or anything and now he loves playing with the ball! This is a smart dog isnt it? I cant believe he got it second try and without treats! And after showing no interest previously its a little strange.

That's good news - shows your dog is VERY interested in pleasing you and will make for an excellent companion!