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Toys
Dec 15, 2012 17:36:53 GMT
Post by Pepper(Hot Stepper) on Dec 15, 2012 17:36:53 GMT
And I'm back with another set of questions! I am having real difficulty getting Pepper interested in her toys. I know it's normal as greyhounds aren't used to them but no matter how much I squeak them, slide them along the floor, etc. NOTHING! The other day I got her the Kong Wobbler. I thought this would work since it dispenses food and she does love to eat, but I just can't get her to play with it. At first she was afraid of it. Now she can stand next to it and will sniff it and lick at the hole but she just doesn't seem to understand that she has to nudge it so it rolls and dispenses the treats. I've tried rolling it in front of her, using her paw to knock it over, even hid a couple of treats under it (as suggested on a website) so she has to use her nose to get under it, but still nothing. I'm beginning to think she might not be the sharpest tool in the shed. The reason I'm a bit frustrated that I can't get her to play with anything is because I think she is beginning to get bored. She just lies in her cage or on her bed all day long apart from when we go for our walks or she comes over for her cuddles. But with the random licking and the fact that she's started to whine now I'm getting the feeling she's not getting enough stimulation and I'm not sure how else to provide it for her. I already take her out about 4 times a day and I can't really do much more as I have obligations and I also suffer from a rare disease which affects my energy levels. I've been trying to have a go with training for mental stimulation but as I mentioned in my other post I just can't really seem to get anywhere with her!? Since she cannot seem to get into a "sit" or "lie down" all we repeat over and over again is "come", "leave it" etc... And even I'm started to get bored with this. I don't have many options as I live in a small flat and there aren't really any parks nearby where I can let her off the lead. But I know that that shouldn't be an issue. If I could just get her interested in playing or something I would be happy to spend a few 20+ mins here and there with her playing tug or whatever. Any ideas anyone? I don't want her to start getting so bored that she becomes destructive!
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Toys
Dec 15, 2012 18:01:29 GMT
Post by Ian on Dec 15, 2012 18:01:29 GMT
Firstly I think it's true to say that most Greyhounds aren't as intelligent as other dogs, but that doesn't mean to say they can't be trained. We've never pushed our Sean hard with toys, although he will play with them, play is very brief and I mean brief, we're talking seconds to minutes. Like Pepper he tends to sleep \ rest most of the time but does have a mad five minutes in our garden ocassionally, being 11 now he's not as active as he used to be. Despite the lack of activity he's very rarely destructive, since we've had him we've maybe lost a plastic bag or some paper when we've been out for a while, so I wouldn't worry too much on the destructive behaviour front there's a good chance it'll never happen. I'm not sure what to suggest on the training to play front since we've never tried it ourselves, however it might be worth a quick hunt on the web to see if there are any dog training classes within easy reach. It might be worth enrolling for two reasons one to do some training with Pepper, but also to help you gain some dog training knowledge. As far as I know most dog training is treat based, i.e. when they've done something you want them to do successfully you treat them, "positive reinforcement" is the phrase that's used I think.
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Toys
Dec 15, 2012 18:42:14 GMT
Post by buglysprince on Dec 15, 2012 18:42:14 GMT
I think you will find most greyhounds tend to sleep all day I know mine do. If you think she is getting bored maybe a nice bone. Mine love to gnaw a good bone and keeps them interested for ages. Prince an persia do play with toys but after 5 mins have had enough go back to their usual sleep position. luckily mine have never been destructive Can't really help with the training as mark has said I think a training school, positive reinforcemet and praise. Lesley :-)
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Toys
Dec 15, 2012 19:56:41 GMT
Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2012 19:56:41 GMT
They have the attention span of a goldfish!! Ted plays with his soft toys but just for about a minute, apart from the morning when he empties his 'toy box' and transfers my shoes to his bed. I find that interacting with him, using a soft toy, helps as you are creating a 'fun' bond. You have to remember that play is an alien concept to them, unlike other breeds whereby it is part of their normal development. Good luck!!
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Toys
Dec 15, 2012 20:33:22 GMT
Post by pat on Dec 15, 2012 20:33:22 GMT
Hi firstly sorry i have not been on site to answer questions as i have been down with a bout of flu and also sorting out new kennels,right as stated greyhounds often do not play as such, but if you try little things repeatedly for short periods, she will eventually get the hang of it, but will still only play for a very short time, their attention span is not that great, if you leave fluffy toys about and ignore them she will get inquisitive in her own time. if she feels that you are stressing over it she will stress, it is only a very short period since she was homed and you have done a great job in a short while, this is going to take months before she will show signs of wanting to play,she is not bored by sleeping this is natural to greyhounds,everytime they are fed the sleep, we always say they sleep 80% of the time and this is problably true.take things very slowly and you will get there dont worry she will do things in her own time, just when you think you have failed, she will start to be interested in something and start to play if only for a second and she will go on from there well done but dont worry pat
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Toys
Dec 19, 2012 21:32:34 GMT
Post by yvonned on Dec 19, 2012 21:32:34 GMT
Cass isn't interested in toys at all, she might bounce around and pinch one of my shoes when I'm out of the room and leave it where I can't miss it. I make out I'm angry with her and tap her bum a few times ( she likes that ) but that is the extent of her play. In the 41/2 years we've been house mates I've seen her sit about 6 times and that is only for seconds. She is quite verbal with throat gurgles and teeth chattering and jaw clapping, we have a few conversations like this when I copy her. With Cass it's on her terms, but her garden re-call is ace, shame she isn't like that when we're out. Never seen a greyhound in the obedience classes at Crufts, but who knows maybe one day!!! I'm not so sure that they're thick, just not easily programmable like other breeds, I think all the more rewarding when they do something.
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gail
Junior Member
Ben (the two of us)
Posts: 98
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Toys
Dec 19, 2012 22:59:57 GMT
Post by gail on Dec 19, 2012 22:59:57 GMT
Ben is not really interested in toys, except for when he is about to go out when he will have a few minutes frenzy with a toy, especially if he has 'told us' he needs to go out, and we have understood. He ignored the kong I got him.
He is at his happiest snoozing in his bed, watching what we are doing. I would not worry too much, she is warm and fed and you are looking after her.
Someone told us that it can take a greyhound at least 6 months to settle into home life, and show their personalities. That was true for us. It took a year before Ben would lie near us, let alone put his head on us. Now he loves cuddling up. He has never chewed anything ( except my parents old sheepskin rug, which he tried to destroy), sometimes he whines a bit for no reason, but I think he just loves a fuss and lots of love.
Greyhounds are not like any other dog I have had, but I would not swap Ben for anything.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Toys
Dec 20, 2012 12:58:07 GMT
Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2012 12:58:07 GMT
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gail
Junior Member
Ben (the two of us)
Posts: 98
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Toys
Dec 21, 2012 6:29:08 GMT
Post by gail on Dec 21, 2012 6:29:08 GMT
That is what ben has got under the tree, maybe he will like the octopus? he does sometimes lie on/hug his toys so I keep buying them for him (see all i want for Xmas post!)
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Toys
Dec 21, 2012 13:45:46 GMT
Post by Olly & Twig on Dec 21, 2012 13:45:46 GMT
Olly has one of them they are amazing and such fun to watch! We gig olly a huge gorilla which could be interesting.
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May
New Member
Posts: 26
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Toys
Dec 21, 2012 19:37:44 GMT
Post by May on Dec 21, 2012 19:37:44 GMT
Our Ben lies on his bed a lot as well and watches me when I am moving around doing housework or whatever or dozes. He also loves his toys, especially new ones. He has even helped himself to one out of the bag when we have come home with a new one but mostly it is for short bursts as other people say. Especially when we are getting ready to take him out, he gets all excited and jumps around and throws his toys around and we have fun trying to get his coat and lead on.
Lesley mentioned a Bone, I have wondered if it is O.K. to give a bone to a Ben to clean his teeth as he has only half his teeth left.
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