How To Play With A Dog Who Doesn’t Play

It can be really tricky and is something I’m often faced with, when I turn up at my client’s home and their dog either doesn’t know how to or has never been allowed or taught to play.

I carry a bag with me, I often get called Mary Poppins as it is full to the brim of options of toys and treats and I change up what I put in there on a weekly basis, depending on the dogs and puppies I’m working with. So I decided to write this post to help you figure out how you might be able to help teach your dog how to play.

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5 things to remember about teaching a dog to play

1. The key thing to remember is that not all dogs like the same toy or treats, so just because it worked for your other dog or your friend’s dog, does not mean it will work for your dog. The main thing is to understand your dog’s motivation. And if you aren’t sure what that is, then you need to listen to the audio I made, it is all about understanding how to play with your dog. It is super easy to listen to and will totally change the way you think about playing with your puppy or dog. You can download it and listen to it here.

1. The second thing to remember is that you need to get rid of any of the stereotypical ways that you think a dog ‘should’ play. E.g. it should fetch a ball, it should drop it at your feet. Forget what your dog as a child used to do and focus on the dog you have in front of you. Think about making a list of what your dog loves / enjoys / dislikes on a daily basis e.g. if your dog loves to chase things in the park, then it is likely you can think about starting to introduce a chase game but with you involved.

1. Think about things your dog struggles with or doesn’t enjoy, the perfect example is a dog who is noise sensitive, the last thing they will enjoy is a ball hitting the wall. This will literally put a halt to them engaging with you, it will actively turn them away. I learnt this with Pip, our rescue dog, he stops playing if the ball hits the fence outside. And this is because he was told off alot in his previous home, so he can be scared of putting a foot wrong, so that impacts on his play / feeling of freedom.

1. When you do start trying to play, begin very, very low key. Don’t have big goals in mind, start by simply aiming to get your dog to touch an item with their foot. Even if they end up giving up straight away and walking off. It is still a start and I’ll show you how to build from that point upwards, one step is still a start!

1. Do look at textures of what you are using and items you are trying to interact with. Some dogs can be very sensitive to texture and weight of items. With puppies, I actually often begin with a long, thin piece of ribbon – because it is so easy for them to pick up, to tug on, to touch and it isn’t offensive in any way. It won’t work for many dogs but if you see a slight interest in chasing or things that move, then a ribbon can be a great place to start.

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You might also want to read my blog ‘3 games kids can play with dogs‘ or consider joining the Wonder Club for regular advice to aid your dog’s training.

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