View Poll Results: Can a dog be made more playful after age 2?

Voters
23. You may not vote on this poll
  • Yes. Keep introducing toys and demo'ing them. She's smart and will pick it up.

    4 17.39%
  • No. Some dogs are playful and some aren't. Can't change her.

    8 34.78%
  • No. Play isn't important for some dogs. It's enough that she's happy and secure now.

    5 21.74%
  • ??? Who knows? It doesn't hurt to try.

    9 39.13%
Multiple Choice Poll.
Results 1 to 15 of 25

Thread: Advice request: can a dog be made more playful?

Hybrid View

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Yorkshire, U.K
    Posts
    540
    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.
    Dogs are not our whole lives but they make our lives whole.


    www.tmhudsonfineart.co.uk

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Northern California
    Posts
    3,182
    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/

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2001
    Location
    Stockton, CA
    Posts
    8,683
    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.
    I'm sometimes asked "Why do you spend so much of your time and money talking about kindness to animals when there is so much cruelty to men?" I answer: "I am working at the roots." -George T. Angell, reformer (1823-1909)



    Thank you, Popcornbird for creating this tribute to Summer starring Livvy and Cassy

    Livvy: 11 April 99 - 5 July 09
    Cassy: 11 July 99 - 8 April 11

    If you would like to visit my BeautiConsultant page --
    http://www.beautipage.com/serene_angel_hm_spa/

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 21
    Last Post: 05-17-2010, 02:53 PM
  2. Replies: 33
    Last Post: 07-17-2008, 10:59 AM
  3. My boring job - a rant and request for advice
    By micki76 in forum General
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 10-21-2003, 11:42 AM
  4. Cat advice request (long-ish)
    By hellostranger in forum Cat General
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 12-12-2002, 07:15 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Copyright © 2001-2013 Pet of the Day.com