How to Train Your Rescue Dog to Play
Introduction
He’s been nothing but cute and adorable since you got him. You’re not sure about his past but you’ve got enough love for your rescue dog to make up for anything. While he is getting more relaxed and comfortable around you, he’s still got quite a way to go. You take out toys to try and encourage him to play around with you, but he remains timid and shy. He’s not interested in tug of war, or fetch. It’s the same when you’re on walks. You try and throw balls and frisbees but he just looks up at you, puzzled.
You’re not quite sure what to do, but you know training him to play at the very least will be good exercise. Not only is it a fantastic way to blow off steam, but it will also be a great bonding experience.
Defining Tasks
The good news is, bringing the playful side out of your dog out will just take time and perseverance. You need to gradually let his walls come down by motivating him with tasty treats and irresistible toys. If you can make him feel safe and play games where he feels in control, you’ll soon have him tumbling around with you. If he’s a puppy it will be easiest. He’ll be full of energy, more trusting and keen to learn. You could see results in just several days. If he’s older and more nervous then you may need to invest two or three weeks into training.
Succeed with this training and you’ll have a great way to keep him happy and jolly. You’ll also be able to give him a decent amount of exercise, that sees him dozing at your feet in the evenings.
Getting Started
Before you get to work you’ll need to gather a few bits. You’ll need a decent array of toys. You’ll need tennis balls, a football, frisbees, and some food puzzles. The brighter colored and more enticing they look the better. You’ll also need a generous supply of tasty treats.
Try and find 10 minutes each day to commit to training. Some training can be done on your daily walk, and some can be done in a quiet space at home, away from valuable TVs that might get broken.
Once you’ve got all that, you’re ready to get to work!
The Gentle Encouragement Method
The Management Method
The Soccer Method
Success Stories and Training Questions
Training Questions and Answers and Success Stories
Hugo
Hi, i just adopted a dog 5 days ago and he is so picky eater and he doesn’t get excited over treats nor toys. Im trying to get him to play with me but he doesn’t seem want to play and he just sleeps all the time. How to get him to okay with me? bc I can’t do it by overing him treats. Thank you
706 Dog owners recommended
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
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She doesn’t eat treats or play with toys. She was an Amish dog.
706 Dog owners recommended
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
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I just brought my new dog home. Her previous person rehomed her but I don’t know why. I have no idea what her previous life was like other than I almost think she was carried everywhere and probably kept her in her lap most of the time. She has been here for 2 days and has no idea how to walk on a leash, I have one step outside and she absolutely will not go up it. She had no idea what her name was. And if she isn’t sitting in a chair with someone she just goes in circles all over the house. Around the table, the couch just circles. When I take her outside she just makes circles. I don’t think she even knows how to jump....i have had many dogs and I have never seen anything like it. Also, other than when she is sleeping she just pants like she can’t relax. Is this just because she needs to adjust to her new home?
706 Dog owners recommended
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
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Good day. I have a problem with my five year old dog. I adopted her two months ago. she spent a year in an animal shelter. she can't take things to her mouth or bite hard things, but she is slowly getting used to it. the problem is that he completely doesn't want to play. because of her unpleasant past, no fun was taught. not chasing a stick or ball. he doesn't understand what's going on. I am asking for help, because I do not know how to teach her to play with a ball or jerk it with a jerk. I will add that she gives up very quickly. she is very submissive when I try to take something out of her mouth, she immediately captures it
706 Dog owners recommended
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
I am sorry. She don't captures it, she drop it. Sorry
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We are a 2 adult, 1 dog household. Lulu is 7 and her humans are in their 40's. Lu came to us by way of Maui humane society. We met Lu just after her 3rd birthday, and after her big move from Hawaii to Seattle where we adopted her from the humane society near our home at that time. The 3 of us have since moved to Duluth, MN.
One consistent challenge that has been present for all 4 years that Lu has lived with us, is that she does not seem to be comfortable around other dogs. She shows interest and can be near other dogs for 30 sec-1 minutes and then
-appears to become overstimulated
-tries to retreat or
-demonstrates behavior of a resource guarder and/or jealous of affection toward the other dog
-toy aggressive. She does not know how to play with other dogs but will happily play fetch and tug with any human, anytime!
We have had some moderate success with gradually introducing Lu to some close family dogs, taken walks with the neighbors and their 2 dogs on leash, and even had mild success mingling at the dog park a few times off leash. Lulu frequents the dog park 2-3 a week year-round. Mostly we stick to the dog run area intended for 20lbs and under. Of course, we exit the park as the area is requested by small dog owners but this rarely if ever occurs at this particular dog park. Lu seems to enjoy sniffing 1 in 20 dogs as they arrive at the dog park but mostly she remains obsessively focused on playing fetch with me.
BIG Goal: It would seem that Lu would occasionally like to venture over to the big area but does not know how to socialize appropriately. She bays on these mornings and it breaks my heart that I don't have the skill or the confidence to socialize her properly.
I would like to see her and I both more able to be flexible with whichever group of dogs show up to the dog park. She tends to have big reactions to persistent dogs who try to engage her to play or chase. Lu turns into a grump and bares her teeth if not left alone or able to flee the gate and start home. One other detail is that we live a mile from the dog park and we walk, not drive to get there.
A smaller, perhaps more achievable goal: I'd like to get us to a point where she can meet strange dogs on leash and not react as though she feels threatened. Her ever-present and deep desire to please me goes out the window when we encounter unknown dogs, and about 80% of the time she goes into guard dog mode, her hackles go up and barks about 50% of the time.
92 Dog owners recommended
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!
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