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Chillax Rescue Pup or Underlying Issue...??

616 views 5 replies 4 participants last post by  GottaLuvMutts 
#1 ·
We rescued a Staffy mix named Smokey from our local shelter about 2 months ago. They said he was between 8-9 months old (we think he may be older). He is VERY intelligent and has already learned several commands, ("sit", "go home", "get down")The thing is Smokey never wants to play with his humans. He'll play with the neighbors dogs very well and mannerable. But when we let him in the house he goes straight to his chair (yes he has his own chair) and doesnt move. Food doesnt entice him, neither do toys. He goes directly from the chair to outside to pee/poop (he's housebroken) back into the chair and into the crate while we are at work. Not because we are forcing him into these locations but he is seemingly uninterested in playing. Any ideas? He seems bored but maybe he's just THAT mellow...?? :help:
 
#3 ·
The shelter said he came in as a stray but where I live sometimes if you owner surrender they expect you to pay a fee so the owners may have told a story to leave him without paying. They also said he was aggressive towards men but we have not seen that behavior. He wags his tail when we talk to him but I just dont know how to draw him out of his "safe" place. I thought I was doing a good thing by setting him up his own chill spot (blanket covered comfy chair) but I didnt want him to vegetate there...

The only time he gets really excited is when he is outside playing with the neighbors dog (he comes over, we let him in the gate, they play, we let Smokey back in the house, we let him out the gate - its like a play date lol) but even then if WE try to join in the fun he will just move around us.

We want to play too!!
 
#4 ·
Oh and add to this that my daughters Dad just gave her a puppy for Christmas. A brand spanking new six week old puppy. That WE had to go out and buy everything for (but thats another story) So now we have Smokey and Lulu. Lulu seems like she is going to be HIGH energy but even tho Smokey seems to like her I dont want her to become ultra Chillax just because he is...:couch2:
 
#5 ·
Rescues can take months to settle in. Poor things have to feel safe before they let their guard down. Plus, he's young and may not have had much interaction. Setting him up with his own chair is fine. He seems to feel comfortable there. Try sitting on the ground with really smelly treats, like bits of cheese or bits of hot dogs and see if he'll come to explore.

Other than that, continue with the training as that can help to create a bond. Does he walk on a leash well?
 
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