Learning to play

[ilovelurchers]

Hi, just wondered if anyone can give me some advice or point me in the right direction please.

We have a gorgeous black lurcher girl who is about 2 years old who has now been with us for 2 weeks. She has settled herself in very well and loves her fusses but has absolutely no idea how to play. Does anyone know how I can teach her or point me in the right direction - whenever we try to show her she just looks at us as though we are completely mad (which of course we are)! I've been putting treats in a ball for her but once she's had them she's not interested any more. Her tail is just beginning to wag at us but she's only 2 and needs to have some more fun in her life.

[dominique]

She'll learn slowly that life can be fun but it'll just take a little time Have you tried squeaky toys or tennis balls?

[mtbbuxton]

First of all, congratulations on your new family member. Some dogs never will play with toys, so don't worry too much and just give her time to settle in. When Mayo came to us, he didn't know what toys were for. My OH spent many hours trying to coax him to play (not all in one go of course )and eventually all his hard work paid off. It took about six months in the end and even now, 16 months later, playtime only lasts 5-10 minutes at a time and happens when Mayo wants it to. Mayo likes soft squeaky toys and still won't play with a ball or plastic toy.
Good luck
Moira x

[ailsa]

It will happen eventually! ;D Archie was exactly the same, and didn't have a clue what playing meant when he first arrived. We started off with a Kong, as he's completely driven by food. At first he would lose interest after a few minutes, even if there were still treats in it, but now he goes all out until it's empty, and plays with it at sporadic moments during the day.

He loves anything that squeaks, and loves stuffed toys - a bit too much! We've had to give up on them as he disembowels them within seconds.

Our local pet shop sells chicken flavour tennis type balls, which he has a fling with every now and then. We've found the same as Moira, though, and Archie will only play when he wants to, and for short bursts at a time. It's quite alarming when they start playing on their own for the first time when you're not in the room, though! Sounds as if they're moving furniture!

[ilovelurchers]

Hi, thanks for the advice. No I haven't tried tennis balls yet may well have to get one. She has now started to have a couple of playful moments during the day albeit very short but nonetheless still there so I will try and build on those. As she's beginning to settle in now I've got a feeling she may well turn out to have quite a character. I just assumed she'd settle in really quickly - silly me. She's got some squeaky toys, soft toys and a chewy toy but isn't bothered by any of the. Will keep trying and bide my time.