Why won't my dog play with a ball?

Another reason your dog won't return the ball is because he or she is possessive. If your dog shows guarding behavior or a ball or stick, be wary. They will quickly move away with the ball, and if you show interest in taking the ball away from them, your pet will be more likely to run.
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How do I get my dog to play with this balls?

Sit close to your dog and roll a ball toward it or shake a tug toy a little. If it shows interest, give it a treat and praise. It may take some time, but the more you engage your dog in play, the sooner it will learn what's expected. Before you know it, your dog will be playing as if it's done it all its life.
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How do I get my dog excited about the ball?

Some dogs prefer balls over fetch sticks for example, so test out a few toys to see which your dog shows the most interest in chasing in the first place. Drag the toy around and see if they want to chase. Play keep-away for a little bit, giving them little "tastes" of the toy before running away with it again.
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Why won't my dog play with his toys?

There could be a health issue: Older pets might be experiencing canine cognitive dysfunction or have arthritis pain. Your dog may have a problem in his mouth such as tooth decay or gum disease that makes it uncomfortable to play with toys. The toys aren't interesting enough: Dogs get bored quickly.
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How do you teach an older dog to play with a ball?

Put the ball or toy on the ground. As soon as your doggo touches or looks at the toy, use a clicker to get their attention and toss over a treat. Repeat until your dog knows that interacting with the object = treats. Delay the click + reward until the dog physically touches the object.
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Fix Your Fetch! - For Dogs That Don't Bring It Back



Should you play tug of war with your dog?

Tug can promote impulse control, build confidence, and strengthen the bond between dogs and their owners. It's an activity that taps into natural drives, making it a motivational, reinforcing, and high-value training tool.
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Why won't my dog play fetch outside?

She might just be getting distracted from her task. Also, if you're playing fetch with her inside, she's had enough of the game by the time she gets outside, so she's more interested in everything else. Your job is to make fetch more interesting than all the alternatives and to save the game for playing outside.
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How can I get my dog to be more interested in toys?

Start chew sessions with an interactive game, like tug-o-war, or hide-and-seek. Get them excited by being excited yourself. When your mini-game is over, you can pass off the toy to your dog for some solo playtime. Another option is to look for flavoured chew toys.
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How do you entertain a dog that doesn't like toys?

How To Entertain A Dog That Doesn't Like Toys?
  1. Try fetch or tug toys during a walk at the dog park.
  2. Try floating water toys during a swim.
  3. Try putting tasty treats inside toys.
  4. Try animated or motion toys to get your dog intrigued and involved.
  5. Sit down and work on a dog puzzle toy yourself.
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How do I know if my dog is depressed?

The symptoms of depression in dogs are similar to those experienced by people. Common symptoms include low activity levels, a loss in interest in the things they once enjoyed, and a change in eating and/or sleeping habits. Some dogs may also show signs of aggression, including uncharacteristic howling or whining.
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What happens if you don't play with your dog?

The research found that a lack of play can cause up to 22 different behavioral issues. These undesirable behaviors include anxiety, aggression, pulling on the lead, whining, and not coming when called. Humans and dogs are two of the few species of mammals that continue to play well into adulthood.
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How do I get my dog to play with his toys?

How to Teach Your Dog to Play with Toys
  1. Replace whatever Buddy usually chews on with a new toy. If he tends to gnaw on your sofa cushions, startle him with a high-pitch "eh" sound, guide him off the couch, and put a toy in his mouth instead. ...
  2. Get excited. ...
  3. Fill it up with treats. ...
  4. Play with him.
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What should a dog do all day?

Your dog likely spends the day playing with their favorite toys and napping, eagerly awaiting your return. There's evidence to suggest that your dog's sense of time is actually an acute awareness of your scent! As your signature smell fades throughout the day, your dog may use it to estimate when you'll return home.
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Does my dog get bored?

Dogs get bored just like we do, so it's important to provide them with exercise, training, interactive toys, and brain games to keep them busy and entertained. Giving them appropriate ways to burn that extra energy also means your flower beds, shoes, and couch won't become unfortunate casualties.
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How many toys should a dog have?

Getting the most out of toys

Rotate your dog's toys weekly by making only four or five toys available at a time. Keep a variety of types easily accessible. If your dog has a favorite comfort toy, like a soft “baby,” you should probably leave it out all the time.
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Why do some dogs like toys and others don t?

Some dogs prefer harder toys that feel good to chew on; others prefer toys like balls or Frisbees because they're fun to chase and retrieve; and some dogs don't like toys at all, unless their owner is in on the game. Many people might think their dog has no interest in toys.
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How do I teach my dog to fetch and return a ball?

Encourage your dog to go after the item you want him to fetch. When he grabs it, reward him with his motivator of choice, then take the object away. Repeat this a few times, then toss the object a short distance. When he goes for it, immediately reward him again.
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How can I stop my dog from being bored?

  1. Engage Your Dog's Brain. A little mental stimulation goes a long way. ...
  2. Give Your Dog A Long-Term Chew. ...
  3. Tire Your Dog Out. ...
  4. Play Games And Use Interactive Toys. ...
  5. Keep Your Dog Socialized. ...
  6. Create A Dog-Approved Schedule. ...
  7. If The Problem Persists, Talk To A Vet.
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Is growling during play OK?

Growling – Sometimes dogs will growl during play, but these growls are accompanied with loose, relaxed body language. When growling is followed by any of the above behaviors, or is a deep and low, it may be a sign of aggressive behavior that needs to be addressed.
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How do I show my dog I am the Alpha?

How Do I Make Myself the Pack Leader of My Dog?
  1. Adopt an “Alpha First” mentality. ...
  2. Insist on decorous behavior. ...
  3. Communicate with energy. ...
  4. Learn how to display alpha behavior. ...
  5. Basic obedience training. ...
  6. Be consistent and clear with rules. ...
  7. Be consistent and fair in correcting bad behavior. ...
  8. Control all resources.
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Do dogs like kisses?

Most dogs tolerate kisses from their owners fairly well. Some may even come to associate kisses with love and attention, and quite a few even enjoy kisses from their people. They'll usually show their pleasure by wagging their tails, looking alert and happy, and licking you back.
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What do dogs think when we kiss them?

Since human kisses are associated with gentle behavior, dogs tend to love human kisses and are quick to respond positively to them. Start Early On – The best way to train your dog to like human kisses is to expose it to the behavior early on. Whenever your dog is a puppy, cuddle up to the puppy and give it kisses.
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Should I pet my dog while playing?

Burch advised that a pet that performs inappropriate actions during playtime, such as biting or barking excessively, should be corrected. But scolding your pet the wrong way during a play session could backfire. "You shouldn't yell, scream, or strike your pet; these actions could lead to behavioral issues," said Burch.
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How long until dogs forget their owners?

Experts say it takes a trivial 70 seconds for your dog to forget what just happened. But while their short-term memory could maybe use some improving, their long-term memory is impressive, to say the least. Dogs most certainly recognize and remember their owners, even after long absences.
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