courtnek Posted March 2, 2003 Posted March 2, 2003 He's a rescue...his previous owners kept him in a crate... I play "ball" with Freebe every night. I throw it. she retrieves it. I bought him his own ball, he wont play with it..yet he's jealous when I play with Freebee.. Any suggestions? Quote
anne3149 Posted March 2, 2003 Posted March 2, 2003 Nothing wrong with crating dogs as long as it is for a short period of time. The crate is a 'safe place' for dogs. Your rescue may feel safer if you crate him from time to time, it may give him a sense of security. Rescue dogs come with issues, they didn't come from rescue because they have lived the high life. These issues usually come to the fore after a couple of weeks and then you work through them. I would say your dog doesn't play with the ball because he doesn't know how. Teach him. I too have a rescue here and believe me with an abused dog it takes time to gain their confidence. I see fears and behaviour in my rescue that I have never seen with my dogs that have been with me for life. It will all work out if you put the time and effort in. Very rewarding to see a rescue become a proud and confident dog. Quote
behle Posted March 2, 2003 Posted March 2, 2003 Alex might not like balls...Our saint doesn't care for balls. We have tried to get him to play with them and teach him how, but he simply couldn't care less. He does like sticks though! Here's the rountine: I find a sturdy stick. I throw it for Ben. He catches it. He runs off with a backward glance at me. He breaks it into several pieces. He leaves it on the ground. He comes back so I can find another stick for him! 8) Whenever we play ball with Max, our rottie, Ben gets his dander up and tries to interfere. Max has learned how to run circles around him and still get to play. In the summer it is easy to find sticks to throw for Ben and keep him satisfied, but in the winter it is a different story. So there is more tussling over attention in the winter. :-? We have tried many different types of toys for Ben. He just doesn't care about them. It's human interaction he craves. So after Max gets his fill of playing I always "schedule" snuggle time with Ben. He feels special then and it keeps the peace! :D Quote
courtnek Posted March 2, 2003 Author Posted March 2, 2003 Thanks Behle, he does like sticks. I'll try that. I got rid of his crate when I brought him home. He was afraid of it. His previous owners kept him tied up outside all day and then crated him as soon as he came in for the entire night. Quote
mouseatthebusstop Posted March 2, 2003 Posted March 2, 2003 :( POOR ALEX. HE NEEDS TIME TO AJUST. CAN YOU GIVE THEM TREATS TOGETHER? Quote
courtnek Posted March 2, 2003 Author Posted March 2, 2003 They always get treats together. Like for coming back the first time they're called, for waking me up when they have to go out - In most things, they do their own thing and they're fine. It's just this ball game.... that makes him jealous.... I think I'll try Behle's stick game, since he loves to chase (and chew up) sticks and see what happens. Thanks everyone. Quote
Mary's Mama Posted March 3, 2003 Posted March 3, 2003 Do you ever spend any one on one time with your dogs. IE only take one outside to play at a time? Maybe Alex needs a little quality time with Daddy. My girl doesn't like to play fetch either, but I got her a GIANT tennis ball that she can push with her nose. She pushes it around in circles, I did have to kinda show her and the more we play the better she gets. It's kinda like soccer, pretty fun. Just some ideas I thought I'd share. :D Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted March 4, 2003 Posted March 4, 2003 just a warning, sticks can be VERY dangerous! :o the rough edges and bark can cut up your dog's gums and toung, and since sticks splinter they can get lodged into a dogs throat! My dogs have always chewed on sticks, and I never knew there was any harm until one day my Lab, Blue started to choke! :o Luckly it was only a small peice, and he was okay, but it really scared me. I now let Hazel only play with WILLOW branches that aren't too old, since they don't splinter as easily, and the bark ins't so rought, and ONLY SUPERVISED. The instant the stick looks like it's getting chewed too bad, to the point it might splinter, I take it away. Thankfully Hazel likes her Kong and frisbees, and just about anything else that can be made into a toy :lol: so it's just an every now and then thing that she gets to chew on sticks. Quote
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