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Pupforum presents your training questions answered by professional dog trainers.
Ev lives the Lower Mainland of Beautiful British Columbia, Canada where she has been training dogs since 1969. She is experienced in many methods including clicker and motivational training. Ev is an original Superdog Performance Team member and her own dogs have travelled and performed with the Canadian SuperDogs since 1984. She has also served as an A.A.C. judge ans is an original Member/Trainer with the Dogwood Pacesetters Agility Club.
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[Edit]
7/15/2005
I have adopted two rescued Doberman pinschers, a male about 2 years ago and a female about a week ago. They are both wonderful gentle dogs and are "co-existing" well even with our cat and I know that given a little time they will become friends. My question though is: How do I get them "off the couch" so to speak to play. The first was chained up on a back porch and abandoned almost until he starved to death, full of heartworms, etc. He's fine now, but although very affectionate, he stays pretty much on his bed most of the time. He loves his stuffed toys, but he doesn't play with them so much as he carries them around especially when we go for "walkies". He LOVES our "walkies". He doesn't wrestle or get goofy or any of that and in fact seems confused and a little fearful (stiff) when I try to engage him in a gentle tussle.
The new girl in the family is pretty much the same way, except she couldn't care less about toys. She loves to cuddle and is the epitome of "velcro". Not needy so much, just wants to be close. She also rarely leaves her bed, except to go potty. She is another case of abandonment. She was spayed already, so I don't think she was used as a puppy factory, but she doesn't have a lot of confidence and has NO training other than housebreaking. She has learned to walk like a lady on the leash and where HER bowl is. She is picking up sit and stay pretty well, but she, too acts confused and stiff or rolls over for belly rubs whenever I try to engage her in a little nose shaking or tickle games. She's starting to connect goodies with requested behaviors, but she's not sure which behaviors I want yet. What can I do to help these two awesome dogs to loosen up and enjoy life, run and play a lit
tle? (paws4arub, Florida )
You mentioned how long you have had them but you did not state how old they were. Chances are they will never feel comfortable about playing a 'tussle game'. You may, in time, get them to play with a ball or a toy if YOU play with it first and show them how much fun it is.
Get goofy with the toy while they are watching ... toss it in the air, say things to yourself that you would say to them if they were playing with it [e.g. "get it, get it... good girl ..." etc.] Most dogs will engage in the play WITH you once they realize that not only is it fun and something they can do with YOU but also that it won't hurt them and it IS allowed.
Perhaps they were always in trouble for jumping around and being puppies or making noises or digging holes and now they feel that anything they do, they may get in trouble for.
Only time is your friend here but then again it depends on how old they are. Under 2 or 3 years, they should catch-on once you 'show' them how much fun a toy can be but if they are older like 6 or 7, then you might be playing by yourself for ever LOL
If they enjoy their walks or just packing a toy around, then I say, let them be and enjoy what you have. Not all dogs HAVE to play and I usually discourage and 'hands-on' play anyhow (wrestling, etc.). Are you sure that they are not already enjoying life with you ??? Allow them to relax on 'their own' time and don't feel you need to push them into playing, running or other interaction. A scratch on the head from a hand that says I love you, can mean more than hours of game playing. JMO
Ev
Canine Caretaker Training/Consultin
Canine Caretaker Training/Consulting
http://www.k9care.ca
"United We Stand."
http://www.standunited.ca
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