I adopted a beautiful, wonderful little 9-12 yr old from a rescue group
6 mos ago (cockapoo/terrier). This is also my first dog, so I'm
inexperienced. Don't know anything about her background other than her
family turned her in to a shelter because she was "old" (I won't even go
into her medical condition). Now she's healthy and extremely loved.
This is the problem. I work at home. That's the good news so I can be
with her most of the time (she has separation anxiety). But she has no
interest in playing. I've tried squeeze toys, bones to chew, rope like
things, balls and various other toys. I've tried to interest her in
playing chase with me, only once it worked. The vet said it may be her
age or if she never played when she was younger, it won't happen now.
She LOVES going out for walks, so I try to get at least two long ones in
per day aside from the quick letting her go out for bathroom stuff. (No
backyard, I live in a condo, need to keep her on a leash).

She waits patiently for me all day and night, usually sleeping, until
the time comes where we go out. I also take her everywhere with me I
can possibly get away with it but she often has to sit and wait for me
there also (i.e. getting my hair and nails done, visiting my mother,,
doctor's visit - one of them let's me bring her in,variety of stores,
chiropractor, etc.)

My heart breaks because I feel she is absolutely bored and doesn't have
much to look forward to because she sleeps most of the time waiting for
me. She LOVES to go for walks,which I take her on at least twice a day
which are usually 45 min-1 hour, she perks right up full of energy,
raring to go, little tail wagging which I love to see.

The only "toy" I can interest her in is the kong toy because she loves
to eat, but I don't give her snacks, and don't want to overfeed her,
although I suppose I could give her her meals in the kong.

From reading the dog NG's and other sites, I know this is not unusual,
but wonder if anyone has found a way for such a dog to be stimulated
both without your involvement (so I can keep working) and with my
involvement so I can enjoy her.

Thanks.

--
Do not email if posting response. To email, replace x with 4

Robin wrote:
My heart breaks because I feel she is absolutely bored and doesn't have
much to look forward to because she sleeps most of the time waiting for
me.

Aw, don't be so hard on yourself. Sleeping all day is normal, especially for
older dogs. It sounds like you go out of your way to keep her entertained and
happy, a lot more than many other dog owners. Sounds to me like she has a
wonderful life.

The only "toy" I can interest her in is the kong toy because she loves
to eat, but I don't give her snacks, and don't want to overfeed her,
although I suppose I could give her her meals in the kong.

Sure! In fact, I'd suggest stuffing the kong with her food, plugging up the
ends with wet food, and freezing it. That way it will keep her occupied for a
longer period of time.

Also, she may enjoy a buster cube:
http://www.sitstay.com/store/toys/toysd.shtml#buster

Canine Action Dog Trainer
http://www.canineaction.com
My Kids, My Students, My Life:
http://hometown.aol.com/dfrntdrums/m...age/index.html
Build Your Immune System, Lose Weight
http://www.re-vita.net/dfrntdrums

Robin wrote:
My heart breaks because I feel she is absolutely bored and doesn't have
much to look forward to because she sleeps most of the time waiting for
me.

Aw, don't be so hard on yourself. Sleeping all day is normal, especially for
older dogs. It sounds like you go out of your way to keep her entertained and
happy, a lot more than many other dog owners. Sounds to me like she has a
wonderful life.

The only "toy" I can interest her in is the kong toy because she loves
to eat, but I don't give her snacks, and don't want to overfeed her,
although I suppose I could give her her meals in the kong.

Sure! In fact, I'd suggest stuffing the kong with her food, plugging up the
ends with wet food, and freezing it. That way it will keep her occupied for a
longer period of time.

Also, she may enjoy a buster cube:
http://www.sitstay.com/store/toys/toysd.shtml#buster

Canine Action Dog Trainer
http://www.canineaction.com
My Kids, My Students, My Life:
http://hometown.aol.com/dfrntdrums/m...age/index.html
Build Your Immune System, Lose Weight
http://www.re-vita.net/dfrntdrums

I agree with Leah get her a buster cube.

When I took Brandy she had been abused and didn't know really how to play
either. Over the years she's learned how but it took some time build up the
trust. The one toy that she's always had an interest in even now 7 years
later is the Milkbone Ball. It's similar to the buster ball but has holes
in to stick in various sizes of milkbones. It doesn't matter if I stuff it
full of treats or it's empty she still loves to play with it. It's the one
ball in the house I'm guaranteed to have to kick out of my way once or twice
a day. As for the tennis balls my cats have more fun with them than the
dogs ever do.

Celeste



"Leah" wrote in message
...
Robin wrote:
My heart breaks because I feel she is absolutely bored and doesn't have
much to look forward to because she sleeps most of the time waiting for
me.

Aw, don't be so hard on yourself. Sleeping all day is normal, especially
for
older dogs. It sounds like you go out of your way to keep her entertained
and
happy, a lot more than many other dog owners. Sounds to me like she has a
wonderful life.

The only "toy" I can interest her in is the kong toy because she loves
to eat, but I don't give her snacks, and don't want to overfeed her,
although I suppose I could give her her meals in the kong.

Sure! In fact, I'd suggest stuffing the kong with her food, plugging up
the
ends with wet food, and freezing it. That way it will keep her occupied
for a
longer period of time.

Also, she may enjoy a buster cube:
http://www.sitstay.com/store/toys/toysd.shtml#buster

Canine Action Dog Trainer
http://www.canineaction.com
My Kids, My Students, My Life:
http://hometown.aol.com/dfrntdrums/m...age/index.html
Build Your Immune System, Lose Weight
http://www.re-vita.net/dfrntdrums

I agree with Leah get her a buster cube.

When I took Brandy she had been abused and didn't know really how to play
either. Over the years she's learned how but it took some time build up the
trust. The one toy that she's always had an interest in even now 7 years
later is the Milkbone Ball. It's similar to the buster ball but has holes
in to stick in various sizes of milkbones. It doesn't matter if I stuff it
full of treats or it's empty she still loves to play with it. It's the one
ball in the house I'm guaranteed to have to kick out of my way once or twice
a day. As for the tennis balls my cats have more fun with them than the
dogs ever do.

Celeste



"Leah" wrote in message
...
Robin wrote:
My heart breaks because I feel she is absolutely bored and doesn't have
much to look forward to because she sleeps most of the time waiting for
me.

Aw, don't be so hard on yourself. Sleeping all day is normal, especially
for
older dogs. It sounds like you go out of your way to keep her entertained
and
happy, a lot more than many other dog owners. Sounds to me like she has a
wonderful life.

The only "toy" I can interest her in is the kong toy because she loves
to eat, but I don't give her snacks, and don't want to overfeed her,
although I suppose I could give her her meals in the kong.

Sure! In fact, I'd suggest stuffing the kong with her food, plugging up
the
ends with wet food, and freezing it. That way it will keep her occupied
for a
longer period of time.

Also, she may enjoy a buster cube:
http://www.sitstay.com/store/toys/toysd.shtml#buster

Canine Action Dog Trainer
http://www.canineaction.com
My Kids, My Students, My Life:
http://hometown.aol.com/dfrntdrums/m...age/index.html
Build Your Immune System, Lose Weight
http://www.re-vita.net/dfrntdrums

In article ,
Robin wrote:
She waits patiently for me all day and night, usually sleeping, until
the time comes where we go out. I also take her everywhere with me I
can possibly get away with it but she often has to sit and wait for me
there also (i.e. getting my hair and nails done, visiting my mother,,
doctor's visit - one of them let's me bring her in,variety of stores,
chiropractor, etc.)

Sounds like she's got a pretty good life. I'd throw in some
short training sessions every day - tricks, etc. Dogs like
puzzles and love attention.

Dogs sleep a lot. Older dogs sleep a *lot*.
--
Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis -

A proud member of the reality-based community.

In article ,
Robin wrote:
She waits patiently for me all day and night, usually sleeping, until
the time comes where we go out. I also take her everywhere with me I
can possibly get away with it but she often has to sit and wait for me
there also (i.e. getting my hair and nails done, visiting my mother,,
doctor's visit - one of them let's me bring her in,variety of stores,
chiropractor, etc.)

Sounds like she's got a pretty good life. I'd throw in some
short training sessions every day - tricks, etc. Dogs like
puzzles and love attention.

Dogs sleep a lot. Older dogs sleep a *lot*.
--
Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis -

A proud member of the reality-based community.

Robin wrote in news:robinxjoy-1E3D6C.12475127102004
@news.west.cox.net:

This is the problem. I work at home. That's the good news so I can be
with her most of the time (she has separation anxiety).

I work at home too. (There are several of us here.) My theory is that I
have the luxury of being hyper-sensitive to whether or not he's getting
enough attention precisely because I'm home with him all day and hear him
snoring on the couch while I'm working. I'm constantly struggling with
myself about whether or not he's getting enough attention or exercise.

We recently started running together every day, so exercise isn't my worry,
but attention is.

So several times a day I'll give him 5-minute sessions of attention,
whether it's brushing (even though he doesn't need it), or making him do a
bunch of downs and stays for treats, or taking him outside for 5 minutes to
toss a ball in the back yard, or getting on the bed together while I clean
his ears or clip his nails.

Cate

Robin wrote in news:robinxjoy-1E3D6C.12475127102004
@news.west.cox.net:

This is the problem. I work at home. That's the good news so I can be
with her most of the time (she has separation anxiety).

I work at home too. (There are several of us here.) My theory is that I
have the luxury of being hyper-sensitive to whether or not he's getting
enough attention precisely because I'm home with him all day and hear him
snoring on the couch while I'm working. I'm constantly struggling with
myself about whether or not he's getting enough attention or exercise.

We recently started running together every day, so exercise isn't my worry,
but attention is.

So several times a day I'll give him 5-minute sessions of attention,
whether it's brushing (even though he doesn't need it), or making him do a
bunch of downs and stays for treats, or taking him outside for 5 minutes to
toss a ball in the back yard, or getting on the bed together while I clean
his ears or clip his nails.

Cate