I had the same problem with Honey and a treat-dispensing ball. She didn't know what to do with it. Eventually I found that the way to get them interested is to make ANY interaction with the object rewarding.
If you clicker train, you can do this through shaping. You click and treat for him looking at it, then for him nosing it, then for him pushing it, then for him picking it up in his mouth...
Otherwise, you can do what I did. Freeze honey, peanut butter, yoghurt or mashed banana on the outside of the toy, or even on the rope. That way, any licking, chewing or sniffing of the toy is rewarding. Eventually he may get the hang of picking it up in his mouth or gnawing at the rope. Keep the treats loose at first so the rewards are easily accessible.
I found the thread I made about Honey and that ball:
http://www.dogforums.com/3-dog-training-forum/22404-how-teach-dog-how.html
If you clicker train, you can do this through shaping. You click and treat for him looking at it, then for him nosing it, then for him pushing it, then for him picking it up in his mouth...
Otherwise, you can do what I did. Freeze honey, peanut butter, yoghurt or mashed banana on the outside of the toy, or even on the rope. That way, any licking, chewing or sniffing of the toy is rewarding. Eventually he may get the hang of picking it up in his mouth or gnawing at the rope. Keep the treats loose at first so the rewards are easily accessible.
I found the thread I made about Honey and that ball:
http://www.dogforums.com/3-dog-training-forum/22404-how-teach-dog-how.html
