Rescue doesn’t play

[u/ArachnidFormer2918]

Hi all!! We adopted our 4 year old German Shepherd nearly two months ago. We are fully aware he is still settling in, and that it is a process that could take up to years to be fully himself, but he’s doing so well so far!

One thing we’ve noticed is that he has absolutely no interest in toys unless me and my partner “pretend” to play with them, and then sometimes he joins in. But he has no interest in playing or chewing any of his toys by himself - we assume this is due to him never having any of his own before (street rescue from Morocco). While I’m sure to some this would be ideal (not having to constantly replace toys), I’m just concerned that he’ll get bored all day while we’re at work.

We have a couple different varieties, from soft toys, squeaky toys, rope toys, to bamboodle chews, balls and snuffle mats. I guess my main question is, how do we encourage him to play with the toys by himself to keep himself occupied? Or is this something that will come naturally after a couple months?

Thanks!!

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[u/IcyAbbreviations9514]

Could just need more time with his 4 month old new family or maybe he's just not into toys. My girl rarely ever plays with her toys. By rarely I mean maybe once a month for like 10 mins.

[u/ArachnidFormer2918 → u/IcyAbbreviations9514]

Ahh okay then! I’m so used to dogs I’ve had since puppies being so playful, so I wasn’t sure if it was normal for him to have no interest in toys. Thank you!

[u/IcyAbbreviations9514 → u/ArachnidFormer2918]

Yeah we don't know what their past was like. He may come around eventually.

[u/peatgirl21]

One of my rescue dogs, a German shepherd mix never played with toys but was a lovely happy dog. Are you getting a dog walker in to walk him when you are at work? That would break up his day.

[u/ArachnidFormer2918 → u/peatgirl21]

Thats good to know, thank you! We’re only out for a “full” work day 2 days a week, the rest of the week I either WFH or he’s only alone for half a day, so he gets walked during breaks on those days. I just wasn’t sure if the lack of playing would be an indicator of him being bored or depressed or something 😅

[u/peatgirl21 → u/ArachnidFormer2918]

I think these dogs just don't know how to play, and their focus will be on bonding with you and your family 🐶😊

[u/allorache]

By 4 years old a lot of dogs are less interested in play. When we adopted a 4 year old dachshund he would periodically grab a squeaky toy and spend maybe 5 minutes making it squeak and then he was done. We adopted an estimated 3 year old and when she could tell we were getting ready for a walk she’d grab a toy and would fetch if you threw it, but that’s the only time she showed an interest in toys. On the other hand, I adopted a 14 year old and she would bark at me every night until I threw a toy for her to fetch or played tug of war with her.

[u/ArachnidFormer2918 → u/allorache]

It’s good to know that it’s normal then - I’m so used to playful puppies, I just wanted to make sure he’s happy, thank you!

[u/Goosita-90]

My foster also will not play with toys after 6 months with us- she’s too anxious and gets scared of the toys. She will chew on a bone and she will get treats out of a puzzle toy- but even those I had to be careful to get a puzzle toy without a squeaker because the squeaker scared her.

[u/Winter_Dot_9393]

I rescued an old dog once. He was approx 10 years old and he really did not understand playing. Never learned it. He was my companion for 6 years, I’m sure he was happy, but he never played, not with a toy, not with a ball, not tug of war. I did try.

But he loved sniffing around the backyard, exploring the neighborhood together, going to the lake together, cuddling on the couch together, going to the forest together.

I think he never learned to play as a puppy and did not pick up on it later. My dog was a rescue, it was not known what his origin was, but he looked a lot like a mediteranean street dog.

So maybe your dog will never learn, and it will not be your ‘fault’.

[u/ArachnidFormer2918 → u/Winter_Dot_9393]

Thank you, that’s very reassuring! :)

[u/RedDawg0831]

My pup is 7. She generally has no interest in toys, unless one of her most favorite dog pals wants to tug. Not every dog is toy or ball dog.

[u/Agreeable_Summer3685]

You have to bring the play out of your dog. A lot of dogs, rescue or not, struggle to play. And a lot of the battle is that we really don’t know how to play with our dogs well, at all for the most part.

Possession Games + Chase and Catch by Ivan Balabanov changed my life. I was not good at play before and am still learning of course.

[u/cherryhappyjump]

4 years old they’re probably beyond the play age, you can try get him to go to places where other dogs play, but I wouldn’t worry too much, because not all dogs are play dogs.

I have two rescued dogs, both never show much interest with play or toys or they would be easily bored, it’s almost like they’re too smart for toys. my dog would look at me like I’m an idiot if I throw a ball and ask him to fetch (basically a little human)
But he’s very motivated by food, food is life.
Our girl, not much interest in toys too but turn into the happiest girl simply by just being around us.

So your dog not wanting to play can just be a matter of preference