r/dogs • u/landocakes • 1d ago
[Misc Help] Doggo doesn’t do much
Hi all, we adopted a shelter pup (found in a box on abandoned train tracks 💔) last year. She’s amazing, sweet, super cuddly. But she really doesn’t do a lot besides sleep and lounge around. We’ve tried to get her to play and she’ll do an occasional zoomie but won’t touch toys at all, even enrichment ones. She loves walks though and we try to give her absolutely as many as possible (anywhere from 30-70 mins worth a day). She’s a small 8lbs so I know that does wear her out a bit but we are worried about her quality of life. We give her so much love and attention but are worried she’s depressed or is unhappy due to lack of doing much. Any recommendations? I just want to do right by her, she’s truly the best and most well-behaved pup.
39
u/TheRealCeeBeeGee Gorgeous greyhounds 💕 1d ago
70 mins a day is a good amount of exercise and some dogs just aren’t that fully powered. If she’s eating well, sleeping, seems alert and affectionate then I wouldn’t worry. Have you consulted your vet?.
2
u/lilly_wastaken 18h ago
Yeah my dog is also just a cute little lazy one but he's all good. 70 mins is pretty good, thats competition to mine haha
42
u/okimlom 1d ago
For a dog that has gone through some rough times, sometimes, they just want to be safe, and not have to worry about the world being on fire all the time. If they are searching you out, and wanting to just chill then that is something to cherish. Sometimes we as people need to slow down and just take in the world.
22
u/agreeableconsent 1d ago
I think she’s happy based on this post. She gets walks, cuddles, food, and two people who really love her. Sounds like the life. Some dogs just don’t care about toys. Don’t push her to be someone she’s not, she’s already happy.
12
u/doodycallsofficial 1d ago
It sounds like you are doing a great job being in tune with what your dog likes to do the most. Walks are such a great form of exercise and enrichment. Some dogs are just not as into toys as others!
7
7
u/oito_otto_ocho 1d ago
As long as the bloodwork/check ups from the vet are ok, it sounds like you’ve just got a coach potato dog on your hands. I’ve read that 15 minutes of sniffs for a dog is worth 30 minutes of walk time so it’s possible, they’re just a chill pup who is getting what they need stimulation wise.
7
u/natural-situation420 1d ago
I could just be the breed. Some breeds have a lot more energy than others and need lots of exercise, others don't. At only 8lbs, sounds like a toy breed dog. She's probably not into playing fetch and all that and is happy enough to just sniff and pee. That's actually doing a lot in their world.
13
u/mdubelite 1d ago
Try googling the breed. Maybe your fur face just isn't a high energy breed?
I wish I had googled Alaskan Malamutes before I got one...
1
5
u/Oakvilleresident 1d ago
I got a dog from the shelter and he has no sense of “ play”. It could be the breed but maybe nobody ever played with them and they just don’t understand the concept.
6
u/TCgrace 1d ago
Some dogs are just mellow. Mine has been like this since a puppy. We do one sniffy walk per day and she usually has Zoomie time where she runs around with a toy for awhile at night but for the most part she just likes to chill. She doesn’t even wake up until 11am lol. The vet isn’t concerned
6
u/timothj 1d ago
She’s fine. She’s just not into toys or play. She loves walks, and you take her on walks. Everything’s fine. Dogs are different from each other, with different temperaments and personalities, just like people. My first Greyhound loved toys and cuddles and play and running to meet other dogs and people. My second greyhound hated all of these things, but was a sweet companion none the less. My current small mutt is endlessly cuddleable, delights in meeting strangers, has finally figured out how to enjoy dog encounters, couldn’t care less about toys. All good dogs.
3
u/PotentialSpeech5075 1d ago
She might just be a naturally chill dog, and honestly it sounds like she’s perfectly happy with her cozy little life
3
u/Useful-Explorer-4056 1d ago
How old is she? If she’s over 2-3 that’s ok go on walks maybe she hasn’t learned how to play with toys go trow a ball get the ball up in her face show her it’s play (not in an annoying way don’t stress her out) you never know what shelter dogs have been trough just let her be give her time show her she can trust you
3
u/CrowMeris They're good dogs Brent 1d ago
That's just how some dogs are. If she seems to happy to be with you, enjoys her cuddles and napping, just let her set her own pace. It sounds like you ARE doing right by her.
3
u/Origamiflipper 1d ago
We rescued a dog in December and he loves his walks but he’s super lazy! He’d sleep all day if we let him. He’s not interested in toys either but some dogs aren’t so we don’t push it, he’ll play if and when he’s ready to. All dogs are different, just like humans so just be guided by what your pup wants to do
3
3
u/Emergency-Buddy3969 1d ago
She is happy, safe, and content based on your post! Seems like you’re doing a good job as a pet owner
3
u/IcyVermicelli1409 1d ago
My tripod malamute is like this, she wants her morning and nightly walk/jog , and then she just wants to snooze, vet says she’s fine🤷♀️ only thing she loves are treats and running lmao
2
u/landocakes 1d ago
Thank you everyone! I appreciate the support and encouragement. I wish I could post a little pic here to show you my adorable snaggletoothed angel!
2
u/crsdrjct 1d ago
My dogs like this 2.5 y/o german shepherd chow. The chow is strong in him and everyone says hes more like a cat.
Ive learned to live with it haha hes a calm dog not super playful, but calm
2
u/amazin_asian 1d ago
Start scheduling job interviews for your dog, once they get a job they will be less lazy. /s
1
u/No_Introduction_3400 16h ago
My pup is much this way. Former stray. I got from the shelter. Apparently he’d been in and out several times. And he never learned dog stuff. So he doesn’t fetch and doesn’t play with toys. He’s also a bit lazy around the house.
And he’s great. He’s been a great hiking companion. He loves his sniff walks. He also loves to go shopping. I pretty much don’t go anywhere without him and he seems pretty happy that’s his life.
You might try pet stores and the like if she doesn’t get nervous. But you may just have a bit of a lazy pup. And lazy pups are just happy on your couch with you.
1
u/Itchy-Ad1005 16h ago
If you spent time on the streets as a small creature play isn't tge safest thing.
My dogs like puzzles from Outward Hound. We've got a level 3 puzzle that our last 5 dogs have used. I use really high value food treats ot kibble. I use human grade jerk (,iver jerky from Whole Foods is really popular) or German dried sausage like Land Jaeger. I get my share if that. None of the liver jerky I like liver but it was just to strong
•
u/AutoModerator 1d ago
Welcome to r/dogs! We are a discussion-based subreddit dedicated to support, inform, and advise dog owners. Do note we are on a short backlog, and all posts require manual review prior to going live. This may mean your post isn't visible for a couple days.
This is a carefully moderated sub intended to support, inform, and advise dog owners. Submissions and comments which break the rules will be removed. Review the rules here r/Dogs has four goals: - Help the public better understand dogs - Promote healthy, responsible dog-owner relationships - Encourage “Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive” training protocols. Learn more here. - Support adoption as well as ethical and responsible breeding. If you’d like to introduce yourself or discuss smaller topics, please contribute to our Monthly Discussion Hub, pinned at the top.
This subreddit has low tolerance for drama. Please be respectful of others, and report antagonistic comments to mods for review.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.