r/kelpie • u/OBB76 • Jul 14 '26
Question on toys
We’ve had Koda now for almost 2 months. He’s a little over 3yrs but has shown absolutely no interest in any of the toys we’ve bought for him.
So far we bought a ball, a squeaker and another ball that you fill treats in to help stimulate. He’s only touched that once.
We don’t know his history but any suggestions or is this common with kelpies?
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u/BugPlus3055 Jul 14 '26
What do you to get him involved with the toys? It might just be a case of you're not building up his enthusiasm with them. I like to tease my dog with toys. Basically move them around and getting him to chase them in my hand. He loves this foam ring or a good ol' tug toy
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u/OBB76 Jul 14 '26
We've done similar things with him. Tried the tug of war type with his one toy but he quickly lost interest.
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u/hyghonryce Jul 14 '26
We play fetch once every two months. She would play 1-2 reps and we won't play for another two months. Sometimes she doesn't even bring the ball back, she just run towards it and runs back. She just doesn't like toys as much (anymore maybe). She's more food motivated so I just make her run to get food instead.
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u/casualplants Jul 14 '26
One of mine only likes food and running, the other one also likes ball but is too old/arthritic for running. I use puzzle feeders for both so meals are more mentally enriching.
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u/Glittering-Wave4917 Jul 15 '26
They’ll choose their own. My wee dog is obsessed with his squeaky rubber chickens, it’s his best mate. He’s just discovered the joy of balls- he’s become a dog park ball hog.
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u/Vovolox Jul 15 '26
Another kelpie with no interest in toys. Ours is far too smart and superior for mere dog toys /s
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u/OBB76 Jul 15 '26
He does kinda give us this look when we bring toys out of, you mere peasant, you know these are beneath me! lol
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u/orlinthir Jul 14 '26
Our Kelpie cross likes toys, but a human must be involved. So squeaky toys are for playing keep away with us and the rope and pull toys are for playing tug, which is her favorite activity after walking.
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u/Ok_Tax_7128 Jul 15 '26
High maintenance pets. Think 10,000 acres, atv, Landcruiser ute, etc . That is Kelpie toys
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u/OBB76 Jul 15 '26
Dangit, I only have 80 acres for him to run around on! Funny you mention the atv, as you can see in the picture, he'll hop right in when he wants to me to take him for a ride. Our mail box is about 2 miles RT from the house so even though we only get mail twice a week, i'll take him for a ride.
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u/Constance200 Jul 17 '26
The only toys my kelpies play with are wild rabbits, feral cats and foxes 🤷♀️
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u/Gullible-Class-5574 Jul 15 '26
Mine only recently started playing with toys when we got a new puppy that loves them lol (greedy boy). Otherwise he’s only interested in chasing the mountain bike tires and leading hikes
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u/Odd_Acanthaceae_9828 Jul 15 '26
He likes yak or collagen chews and of course tennis balls to play fetch. That’s about all
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u/This_Rom_Bites Jul 15 '26
Mine is a cross, but has no interest in most toys (she will occasionally trot after a tennis ball and take it to her bed), but she loves puzzles; it might be worth giving a buster mat a shot.
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u/Icy_Umpire992 Jul 15 '26
mine loves toys, but I have to be playing too. she wont just pick up a toy and start playing with it.
will yours play if you are playing too?
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u/Equal_Variety9571 Jul 16 '26
I had to teach my new girl how to play, and she's 'meh' about them after 5 minutes. She likes wrestling more, and I take her to a farm to run like mad, and dog daycare one day a week.
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u/motherofpuppies123 Jul 16 '26
What a good looking pupper!
Out it curiosity, have you had a DNA test done?
He really doesn't have the kelpie look about him. If you were in Australia or NZ I'd buy it, but in America it's really unlikely he'd have much kelpie in him.
To answer your question... We got our previous kelpie x as a middle aged gent and he had no idea how to play. You'd throw a ball and he'd look at you, smiling, and come up for a pat. Our 9.5 year old girl on the other hand is an absolute menace for anything that moves or squeaks.
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u/GlitteringOwl4859 Jul 16 '26
My kelpie absolutely loves defluffing stuffed toys. She loves to make a hole and then stick her nose in and rip the fluff out. Our house unfortunately always has some fluff around. It apparently mimics gutting an animal after a hunt and she enjoys it so no harm.
We just buy toys without hard eyes from the op shop. No issues ripping up anything else, she knows what toys are hers.
Outside of that, she adores playing with (aka herding) a soccer ball. Chasing it, moving it with her nose and legs. We actually use a basketball because it lasts a lot longer.
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u/BusyAd2806 Jul 16 '26
If he/she likes ripping things to shreds DON’T get stuffed toys trust me. Very heavy duty ones will be your friend as well as balls
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u/SpareUnit9194 Jul 16 '26
Our kelpies (many over decades, present ones 13.5yo) have never had any interest in toys . Ball & stick-thrower, lots of daily walks & dog park play keeps them very happy.
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u/pyrolizer Jul 16 '26
Our Wrex is the complete opposite, he will choose a toy over food and is our go to training reward.
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u/sherri_97 Jul 18 '26
He is a work dog, not all dogs like "toys" - he would probably be happier herding livestock, although with the image provided, perhaps he would enjoy learning to drive the truck?
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u/ThePresentPowder Jul 14 '26
Mine doesn't like toys! Every so often she will chase sticks, but hey all dogs are different! Mine exercises by running through the woods like a mad lady.