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Teaching how to play.
- Thread starter Ciren
- Start date
Don't worry about it. Many dogs do not play with toys -- I have bought a range of toys, but mine don't have much interest in anything except toys to fetch -- eg NONE of them plays with toys. Many puppy farm dogs never get any interest in toys at all, or playing because they are never well socialised with other dogs. The best thing is really just to leave her one or two things and she may eventually grow interested -- but you cannot make or teach a dog to play, though you yourself can try to play with a dog, with a toy, and maybe the dog will become interested in the toy, or maybe not.
Kongs are not really toys per se though -- they have a specific use -- you fill them with something to eat for the dog to try and work out during the day or evening. They are generally used for calming or keeping a dog busy. Many dogs take a long time to learn that they are full of food and that they can work to get it out. You can't teach that either. Again, just leave it with her and if she doesn;t eat anything in it, then take it up after a day and clean it out and try again some other time as you wish.
Kongs are not really toys per se though -- they have a specific use -- you fill them with something to eat for the dog to try and work out during the day or evening. They are generally used for calming or keeping a dog busy. Many dogs take a long time to learn that they are full of food and that they can work to get it out. You can't teach that either. Again, just leave it with her and if she doesn;t eat anything in it, then take it up after a day and clean it out and try again some other time as you wish.
Barbara Nixon
Well-known member
With the exception of the odd tug of war between Teddy and Joly , as pups, none of mine has played. All but Teddy have love/loved to retrieve, though, Joly uses a toy as a gift when you come home and Izzy used to hoard his fluffies, taking them up to bed and lining them up.
Many people have said that their cavaliers don't like rubbery or plastic toys prefering fluffy or plush ones.
Many people have said that their cavaliers don't like rubbery or plastic toys prefering fluffy or plush ones.
hbmama
Well-known member
Dottie isn't really big on fetching or playing most of the time. She majors in lap snuggles and snoring a good part of the day, and enjoys patrolling the fence line to keep the yard safe from the neighbors goofy cat.
It's funny though, if she has a friend over, they will run and play back and forth with a stuffed toy for a few minutes, then give it up and back to sleep. Her favorite is the "Hide a Squirrel." When she is in the mood, she does enjoy pulling them out of the plush log and incessantly squeaking the squirrels and tossing them into the air.
There seems to be a big difference in this breed and other dogs I have had in the past. My yellow lab and Aussie Shepherd mix (both at the bridge) would fetch and play all day long. Cavaliers are alot more laid back than that.
It's funny though, if she has a friend over, they will run and play back and forth with a stuffed toy for a few minutes, then give it up and back to sleep. Her favorite is the "Hide a Squirrel." When she is in the mood, she does enjoy pulling them out of the plush log and incessantly squeaking the squirrels and tossing them into the air.
There seems to be a big difference in this breed and other dogs I have had in the past. My yellow lab and Aussie Shepherd mix (both at the bridge) would fetch and play all day long. Cavaliers are alot more laid back than that.
mhabca
Well-known member
Mika will play fetch 24 hours a day if we were willing. She just LOVES that game. And she will play it with anything - balls, rubber toys, plushies. She'll even bring over a Nyla bone every now and then - whatever is handy.
She likes rubber and other hard toys for chewing. Plushies and wubbas are for killing. She'll fling them around and shake them like crazy.
She also likes to play chase with the cat. The two of them stalk each other, which is pretty funny to watch.
She is very playful, but it's all things she has invented herself. We've never "taught" her to play.
She likes rubber and other hard toys for chewing. Plushies and wubbas are for killing. She'll fling them around and shake them like crazy.
She also likes to play chase with the cat. The two of them stalk each other, which is pretty funny to watch.
She is very playful, but it's all things she has invented herself. We've never "taught" her to play.
Mom of Jato
Well-known member
Jato loves to play too. His favorite toys are the soft, plush kind. He goes through them pretty quickly, and then I just sew them back up until they are too far gone and I have to throw them away. He enjoys playing fetch- running from the family room into the kitchen and back again. He has his own little toy box, and will stick his head in and pick out a different toy from time to time. Very cute indeed. 
JeanKC
Well-known member
Beauregard has always been a player. Elvis is a bit over 2YO now, and he's only recently started bringing toys to me on a regular basis. He likes to play by himself... tossing something with a flip of his head then fetching it. Cute to watch... especially when the other dogs look at him like he's crazy.
Missy the Saint Bernard took about 6 steps toward a ball one time when she was 12 weeks old... and hasn't done it since. She'll stand there and slobber all over somebody for hours if they're scratching her chin... but other than that she keeps to herself.
Missy the Saint Bernard took about 6 steps toward a ball one time when she was 12 weeks old... and hasn't done it since. She'll stand there and slobber all over somebody for hours if they're scratching her chin... but other than that she keeps to herself.
Claire L
Well-known member
My two are only using Kongs this past month. Before that , they were afraid of them so I just left them lying around and one day I took some of their kibbleout of their food bowls and put it into the kongs, then I had to show them how to get it back out. Now they dance around the kitchen when I take out their Kongs
It takes time and patience but as Misty said; it is so rewarding when it finally happens.
It takes time and patience but as Misty said; it is so rewarding when it finally happens.
Nicki
Moderator
2 years on from leaving his puppy farm, Bradley is JUST starting to play-bow and I'm delighted!
Your patience may well be rewarded in time
Oh isn't that wonderful - bless his heart :lotsaluv:
angelmommy
Well-known member
bindi and angel play alot but dont seem to fetch though bindi is only 10weeks old. but pip will be 7 in october and she has never been intrested in toys and she is part border collie so thats odd. pip loves to wrestle with me and the dogs and she loves to chase the girls around on walks but shes never been one for toys
Lisa_T
Well-known member
It's interesting how they're all so different. Holly adores soft toys and always did - pre-Amber she had a lot of them, but now there's only the duck that I put away most of the time because Amber will de-stuff it if given half a chance. Poor Holly. She was never destructive or a chewer, so she'd just do the shakey-kill thing, and squeak the toys, and lick them, but nothing else. Amber is more er... active.
On the other hand Amber is easier to keep happy for hours at a time because she has a real investigating streak and LOVES to chew. She also adores fetch, which she's done flawlessly from tiny puppyhood. Holly wasn't interested in fetch until she was one, and then after Amber came along she started being possessive with the toys (ie, not letting go). I keep meaning to get Amber involved in agility because that dog can jump. She was able to jump from the floor to the table last week and the table's at least 150cm high if not higher.
I do think the socialisation is critical. Amber was well socialised and loves to play in every possible way. Holly's socialisation as a small pup was atrocious - she did not know how to play when I got her - and even now her play is focused on me rather than on Amber or entertaining herself.
On the other hand Amber is easier to keep happy for hours at a time because she has a real investigating streak and LOVES to chew. She also adores fetch, which she's done flawlessly from tiny puppyhood. Holly wasn't interested in fetch until she was one, and then after Amber came along she started being possessive with the toys (ie, not letting go). I keep meaning to get Amber involved in agility because that dog can jump. She was able to jump from the floor to the table last week and the table's at least 150cm high if not higher.
I do think the socialisation is critical. Amber was well socialised and loves to play in every possible way. Holly's socialisation as a small pup was atrocious - she did not know how to play when I got her - and even now her play is focused on me rather than on Amber or entertaining herself.