Advice request: can a dog be made more playful?

[Glacier]

Ummm, sorry to ask a majorly basic question, but if I were to start attempting to train her in agility, where is the best place to start? As she is 2 years and a month or two old... is this too late to start?

Not too late at all. She's a young border collie--she'll probably be anxious to learn! I'm thinking of doing agility with Tehya next summer, when she's about the same age. Call a dog trainer in your area or the humane society. They will probably know how to reach the local agility club.

[Giselle]

In agility, we can condition non-toy-motivated dogs to enjoy play by using "Tug-N-Treats ". Basically, it's a fleece pocket with a nylon handle. You stuff the tug-n-treats with food, and every time the dog shows interest in the toy, you treat the dog. The best time to initiate play is right when you come back home because, generally, that's when the dog is most energetic and most willing to spend time with you. Give the toy to the dog, let her mouth it, and pull it back. Pat her on the butt with it, get rowdy, act like a fool. Play with her body and continually offer her a toy but always take it back. When you give dogs a toy and quickly whip it away, they tend to bite at it out of instinct. Eventually, you can teach the dog to play, but you have to initiate it in a way that makes sense to dogs. Patting your thighs and staring in the eyes, for example, won't entice a shy dog. Scratching their bum, sprinting away, giving/taking away the toy, sprinting away, etc. will entice a dog.

Also, definitely try stuffies. Giselle has only played a handful of times and they've all been with stuffies. She couldn't care less for tennis balls

ETA: OH, you're in Stockton!!! If you want to learn about agility, please PM me, and visit Bay Team's website: bayteam.org <---AKA the bay area agility lover's heaven

[3muttsandaboston]

2 is just the right age. Her bones have now stopped growing and she is less likely to get injured. I'm going to start with Lucy pretty soon she is about 1 1/2 years. Not sure on how to help you find somewhere to train. You could just do some training in the back yard with homemade obsticles. A google search might help you with what you need.

[Giselle]

Okay, because I'm such an agility nut....

How far away are you from Brentwood? My instructor also teaches at a facility in Brentwood, and I can PM you the details if you want Most BayTeam trainers are in the SF area so I can't personally think of or recommend a local trainer in the Stockton area.

[AmberLee]

Okay, because I'm such an agility nut....

How far away are you from Brentwood? My instructor also teaches at a facility in Brentwood, and I can PM you the details if you want Most BayTeam trainers are in the SF area so I can't personally think of or recommend a local trainer in the Stockton area.

Hmmm, I'm not sure. Let me go check.

[AmberLee]

Well, spppffft. My computer's "hiccuping" when I try to use the details on my mapping feature, but it looks like I'm a little over an hour's drive from Brentwood. I guess this sounds wimpy, but I'm really reluctant about the idea of adding this to my schedule right now. I think I'll look for some local training, instead. Also see if I can find an agility event to show mom what it's all about and see if she's open to Mickie getting this training. (Since she probably won't be too excited about my running off with her dog on a regular basis for some mysterious outings. )

[bckrazy]

I agree with Giselle... Border Collies are definitely intended to be high energy, active, and driven to work. But, there are always extremes in every breed, and just like there are some BCs who are always going non-stop, there are also mellow BCs.

Definitely work on getting her into good shape, even if she isn't interested in playing. It's much *healthier* for her to get a good amount of vigorous exercise each day... it might require some coaxing, as it sounds like she isn't very play-driven.

Obedience work is reallyyy good mental, and even physical, exercise! Work up to looong down-waits, from a long distance, so she is running to you for each recall. Is there any dog-friendly places to swim in your area? Or any nice off-leash parks or trails? There are lots of exercise options for dogs that aren't into fetching or toys. If nothing else... I live in Sacramento, and my boys would be happy to play with her! ;D

[Canis-Lupess]

No it's not too late at all. She's still a young dog really. No reason why she can't learn. A dog can't start learning agility until it is fully grown anyway because jumping and such is bad for growing bones and joints. A a BC, 9 months is usual age they have to reach before they start agility training. One of our former dogs, Monty, didn't start learning agility until he was about 2 and he did perfectly fine.

As for the weight fluctuations, I would seriously try not to let that happen. Weight going up and down all the time is quite stressful for the body, whether it be humans or dogs. If she isn't getting as much exercise as usual for whatever reason, her food intake needs to be lessened a little.
She weighs about the same as my BC who is now 13 coming up for 14. She filled out slightly as she got older as does happen with most dogs as with people...going up a few pounds and just looking a little more solid and shapely. She used to weigh less as a young dog but she was naturally more lanky then.

I agree that dogs who weren't introduced to the concept of play as youngsters might have a harder time taking it up when they are older. If there is anything she does enjoy, try incorporating a ball or other toy into it. Lots of exciting vibes from you will help to pursuade her. Even if she tries a half hearted attempt, be very pleased and show it and she'll soon learn that it is great and want to do it more and start putting more enthusiasm into it.
Don't automatically expect miracles though because all dogs are individuals...even BCs. We've had quite a number of BCs and they all have their own personalities. Our Jess and Mist who were mother and daughter were actually like chalk and cheese. Very different dogs. Some dogs might take the play concept on board and others might not...regardless of breed.

I must admit that mine were never the biggest players. They were more often likely to play with a toy when I was around either to get attention or because I was playing with them. They wouldn't play with each other when I was around. They'd only do it when they thought they were alone and if I wanted to watch, I'd have to do it secretly. Peeping around the curtain and they'd keep stopping and looking at the house and the windows and if they saw me looking out, they'd stop.
They did like playing fetch though and would do that until they dropped. Our Jess still does but I only through the ball a couple of yards now and only about 4 or 4 times with rest inbetween because running back and fourth won't be good for her old creaky joints now.

[Giselle]

Wait, where are you in Stockton? From downtown Stockton to downtown Brentwood is about 30-40 minutes. Not bad, really. I drive about 35 minutes to our agility classes. I can PM you the facility's address if you want.

Also, if your pup looks pretty much purebred, it wouldn't hurt to join a local AKC obedience/agility club. I think there are some out your way.

For some upcoming agility events in Nor Cal:
20, 21 OCTOBER 2007
AKC Trial - Pleasanton, California
Del Valle Dog Club of Livermore
Pleasanton Fairgrounds (4501 Pleasanton Ave.) - Outdoors on grass

20, 21 OCTOBER 2007
USDAA Test - Madera, California
Canine Agility Team
Madera Fairgrounds (1850 W. Cleveland Ave.)

20, 21 OCTOBER 2007 (this one is closest to you)
CPE Trial - Elk Grove, California
Fun Paws Agility Club
WAG K9 Facilities (10925 Bruceville Road)

21 OCTOBER 2007
Run Throughs - Penngrove, California
Paws-to-Play Agility (501 Ronsheimer Road)

27, 28 OCTOBER 2007
AKC Trial - Placerville, California
Hangtown Kennel Club
El Dorado County Fairgrounds (100 Placerville Dr.)

27, 28 OCTOBER 2007
Howl-a-ween Fun Weekend Fun Match - Elk Grove, California
WAG
WAG K9 Facilities (10925 Bruceville Road)

For a complete list: http://slipstreamaussies.com/calendar/

[AmberLee]

Thank you. I've bookmarked the page, this weekend was tied up between class and work (me) and a 5K walk for Breast Cancer awareness (my mom). There are several upcoming events that might help me get mom interested. Right now she seems rather negative about it... and Mickie is her dog.