How to Train Your Rescue Dog to Play

Hello Kearstine, Check out the videos linked below for tips on getting your dog engaged in play. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8Z0EOHPNfI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-uUQE32FuU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CayIwwXqzuA Pay attention to what pup likes. Some dogs are motivated by food or toys, but others find things like affection, a walk, an odd object, verbal praise, things like flirt poles, or movement rewarding. Once you know what pup likes, you can also use that things to reward pup or engage pup in fun. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Aimee, Adjusting could be part of it but there is probably something bigger going on, like possibly her up bringing or obsessive compulsive behavior. I suggest teaching her a Place command and working up to her being able to stay on Place for up to an hour gradually. Place should help with the anxiety, self-control, and building more healthy independence - she will probably pant or whine a lot at first while practicing place, that's normal while she is learning to be more independent at first since being self-controlled and still without you will be challenging at first. Practice other structured activities to build her confidence and teach calmness also. With this type of behavior you want to stimulate her mind, work on self-control and independence, and not feel sorry for her and overly sooth. Instead, act confident and happy, and expect that she can learn some new things with your help. For the leash walking, check out the article linked below to get her used to the pressure of a leash first - work on this before you attempt a formal heel or other leash work. Heel will come next, after she is comfortable with the leash. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-your-puppy-to-accept-leash Place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omg5DVPWIWo Other good, confidence building, calming things to work with her on: Heel article - The turns method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Out command: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Crate manners: https://thegooddog.net/training-videos/free-how-to-training-videos/learn-to-train-the-good-dog-way-the-crate/ Confidence building agility fun - you can make your own obstacles out of household things or PVC pipe, or purchase. Practicing any type of safe jumps, tunnels, odd surfaces, duration work, or overcoming new obstacles in general can help a nervous dog. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elvtxiDW6g0 Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Maja, Check out the video linked below. I don't suggest using tugs as pup to get pup excited due to her disliking things in her mouth, but notice the way he uses movement and excitement to engage pup and praises any attempts at playing. Games like fetch are more likely to be enjoyed by pup than tug it sounds like. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-uUQE32FuU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CozW9Mpfmns It also might be worth looking into other types of play for her - like setting up agility type obstacles, teaching tricks, playing come games like hide and seek, go find it, and round robin, or using things like puzzle toys to seek out treats. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello, I would strongly suggest that you look into having a private trainer come to the house and work with you and Lulu. The trainer can go through your wonderfully detailed and helpful list, helping you to tackle each point. Doing so is well worth the time and the financial investment to enable you to feel confident as a pet owner and really be able to enjoy Lulu and all she has to offer. You mention not having the skill or confidence to socialize her. A trainer can help! Ask around at the dog park for references or inquire with your vet. You are a very caring pet parent - good luck!

Hello Kia, Check out the video linked below. I would start by working on motivating her with toys. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8Z0EOHPNfI Some older dogs who were never socialized with toys still don't enjoy them. In that case I recommend finding other ways to play with pup. I suggest training games, like hiding treats for pup to find, agility type obstacles, puzzle toys with food, round robin type come games, and scent games. For the jealousy, I suggest teaching both dogs the Out command (which means leave the area) and make whoever is causing issues leave the area as needed. Out command: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Decide what your house rules are for both dogs and you be the one to enforce the rules instead of the dogs. No aggression, no pushiness, no stealing toys, no stealing food, no being possessive of people or things, or any other unwanted behavior - if one dog is causing a problem you be the one to enforce the rules so that the dogs are NOT working it out themselves. For example, if pup comes over to your other dog when he is trying to leave, tell pup Out. If he obeys, praise and reward him. If he disobeys, stand in front of your other dog, blocking pup from getting to her, and walk toward pup calmly but firmly until pup leaves the area and stops trying to go back to your other dog. If Bella growls at Apollo, make her leave the room while also disciplining Apollo for antagonizing first if needed. Be vigilant and take the pressure off of your dogs - you want them to learn to look to you when there is a problem, and for them to learn respect for each other because you have taught it to them and not because they have used aggression. Teach both dogs the Place command and work up to having them both stay on their separate Place beds calmly for 1-2 hours. This is a great calming, self-control building, and tolerance exercise. It also helps get them both in a working, more respectful mindset while in the same room as each other. Place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omg5DVPWIWo Finally, work on manners and building respect and trust for you with both dogs. Thresholds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-w28C2g68M Heel article - The turns method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Working method and Consistency method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-doberman-to-listen-to-you Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Jack, Check out the video linked below for some things to try. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8Z0EOHPNfI Zak also has several other videos on his youtube channel that talk about ways to motivate dogs, how to teach fetch, and ways to have fun with your dog training. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Ki, First, know that time just being around you will usually help a lot. Check out the article I have linked below also though, and the section on shy dogs and humans. https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-socialize-a-shy-dog/ As far as play, I would work on building trust and giving pup some time first. Once they are comfortable around you, check out the video linked below for an example of how to get pup excited about play. Also, I would try some training games too, like treat hiding games, hide and seek come, puzzle toys stuffed with food, rubber hollow chew toys with treats in them, and different types of toys like flirt poles, tug toys, squeeky toys (don't leave pup with those unattended in case they get the squeaker out), balls, frisbees, ect...Pup probably won't like all toys but you may find a specific type they love - you will have the best luck with this once pup is more confident around you though. https://www.google.com/search?q=zak+george+how+to+get+your+dog+to+play+with+toys&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS909US909&oq=zak+george+&aqs=chrome.2.69i57j69i59l3j0i457j46l2j0.7243j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#kpvalbx=_OqSRX-2qN5GqtQW-wpSIDQ22 Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hi there! I am going to give you some tips that will build her overall confidence. It is likely with practice and some mild changes, his behaviors will start to resolve themselves over the next few months. So patience is key! There are several methods you can use to improve your fearful dog´s confidence. As far as her ears, she may be keeping them flat because she is so timid. Hopefully with building her confidence, her ears will stand up also. 1. Work on obedience training. Daily obedience work, even when it is only for a short time, provides submissive dogs with a lot of confidence. Family members are proud of dogs that perform on command and dogs pick up on this feeling. If the obedience training is harsh, though, a submissive dog will just get worse. Find a positive reinforcement and reward-based training class in your area. If the trainer works with a discipline-based system, it is not appropriate for a submissive dog. 2. Socialize your dog as much as possible to make them adaptable. The sensitive socialization period for your dog ended when she was a puppy, about 15 weeks of age, but she can still be socialized as an older dog, it is just going to take a lot more work. To socialize your dog, take her out as much as possible, let her meet new people, let her meet your friends dogs (if they are friendly with other dogs), and let her run free at the dog park so that she will meet new dogs. (Some dogs will be too nervous to play at the dog park so this phase may only come later.) 3. Give your dog a job or get her involved in a canine sport. Most dogs are not able to "work", however, so in order to give them an activity to build their confidence, it is a good idea to get them involved in one of the canine sports. Flyball, agility, Frisbee, dock diving, and other activities may be available in your area. 4. Use counter-conditioning techniques to help her overcome fear. This is the best but also the hardest (for you!) of the methods available to treat a submissive dog. For each thing that your dog is afraid of, you have to train her to have a pleasant feeling. When a dog is no longer afraid of the situation, he is confident and no longer going to be submissive. If you decide to try to build her confidence through counter-conditioning, the first thing you have to identify is the trigger. What is stimulating your dog to be so submissive? If she is only afraid of one thing it is easier to train her; unfortunately, most submissive dogs are afraid of almost everything. Spend some time with your dog to become familiar with her fears. The next step is to teach him that the scary thing is actually a good thing. When she is exposed to the scary object, give her a tasty treat and let her relax around the object without any pressure. The final step in counter-conditioning your dog to face her fears is to expose her and not provide a treat or even notice that he is being exposed. If you need more help on using counter-conditioning, the animal behaviorist Patricia McConnell has a book that I have found to be useful. The techniques are great and will help your dog develop confidence but as with most behavior modification, takes patience and persistence. Please let me know if you have additional questions. Thanks for writing in!

Hello Riska, Check out the video linked below. Notice the way he uses movement and excitement to engage pup and praises any attempts at playing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-uUQE32FuU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CozW9Mpfmns It also might be worth looking into other types of play for him - like setting up agility type obstacles, teaching tricks, playing come games like hide and seek, go find it, and round robin. I would test out different toys to see if pup is toy motivated. If so, toys can be used as rewards in training instead of food. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello! How unfortunate. It always seems those sorts of things happen when they are performing desirable behaviors, not jumping or barking! Dogs learn by association so as you know, he quickly associated the negative outcome with playing fetch. You may want to start completely fresh with teaching fetch. Potentially with something he has never played with before. Or some sort of treat stuffed toy. I have included steps for re-training fetch. A different/new approach may help. Step 1: Introduce the Fetch Toy Once you’ve picked out a good toy, introduce it to your dog so they start to get excited about fetch. Place the toy near you. As your dog gets close to it, click, praise, and give a treat. If they touch their nose to the toy, click, praise heavily, and give treats. Continue this process until your dog reeeally likes the toy. Step 2: Move the Fetch Toy Around Now that your dog is starting to figure out that touching the fetch toy means treats, start moving it around so they have to move to get to it. Don’t throw the toy yet, or even move it very far. Simply hold the toy in slightly different positions — at arm’s length — and encourage your dog to touch it. Each time they touch the toy, click, treat, and praise. Continue this little dance until you’re sure the behavior has stuck. Dog Catching FrisbeeStep 3: Get Your Dog to Grab the Fetch Toy Now it’s time to start rewarding your dog when they actually grab the toy with their mouth. This can take a little patience on your part. The key is to watch your dog’s behavior and reward when it starts to look like the behavior you want. Place the toy on the ground at about arm's length. If your dog moves from touching their nose to the toy and begins using their mouth, it's time to click, praise, and treat. Each time they get a little closer to biting the toy, continue to reward. If and when they pick up the toy with their mouth, act like it’s the best thing you’ve ever seen (and don’t forget to click and give treats). Remember that your dog will be looking to you for reassurance that they’re on the right track Step 4: Play Little Games of Indoor Fetch At this point, your dog should know that placing the toy in their mouth means they get a treat. The next phase is perhaps the trickiest, but you only need to follow the same method of rewarding small steps toward success. Toss the toy a few feet away from you. When they pick it up, click, treat, and praise. Continue this until they understand what they’re supposed to do. Then toss the toy and encourage your dog to bring it back to you. When they do, click, treat, and praise. Step 5: Throw the Fetch Toy Farther Once your dog has realized that they get treats when they get their toy and bring it back, start "upping the ante" by throwing the toy farther. It might help to find a hallway (which will reduce distractions) and toss the fetch toy farther and farther away. With each successful fetch, offer treats and praise, then toss the toy a little farther. Repeat as many times as necessary for your dog to understand what this fetch game is all about. Step 6: Add Some Words This part is optional. If you would like to add a marker word like “fetch,” now is the time to do so (when your dog is successfully fetching their toy). Say the word before throwing the toy, then lay it on heavy with treats and praise when they successfully fetch for you and say something like “good fetch.” Of course, it’s not necessary to say “fetch” or another similar word. By this point, your dog has probably learned to enjoy the game itself — with or without a verbal cue.

Hello David, Check out Zak George from the video linked below. I also recommend finding some other games that can engage pup, like puzzle toys, kong wobbles with food, toys stuffed with kibble, and training games like Round Robin. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8Z0EOHPNfI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtpLvumSTzI Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden