New Labradoodle -- training to play??

[Kandys_Family]

We have a new labradoodle. She's 10 months old, so maybe not quite a puppy but certainly not an adult, maybe a "teen"? She came at Christmas so she's quite new to our family. Her breeder family was two adults in a rural area, we are a family with 2 school-aged children in the suburbs. So, big differences in her life all of a sudden. Her behavior is lovely -- maybe too lovely? The kids were so looking forward to a young dog who would play -- tug of war, fetch, generally running around... Kandy, on the other hand, seems to want to do nothing more than sleep. Or follow me around the house, then crash at my feet. Is this just adjustment? Mourning for her old family and doggie friends? Will she liven up as she gets used to this new family? Is there anything I (or the family) can do to help? She is getting a walk or two each day, lots of attention and petting and I have made sure the kids aren't overwhelming her by coming at her together or noisily. She will certainly let them pet her but isn't showing any excitement over anything. We can't even find a treat that she seems to like! Any suggestions?

[RodneyPierce]

I can only wish that my dog would do the same! i cant ever get her to just lay down and rest. And 10 months is still a puppy! Big time! Or at least Bailey will be. She is only 7 months now, but good lord, I dont think this dog will ever outgrow puppy stage! I can only hope and pray that she does.

[Nikkiey]

She might still be mourning her old life, missing her other friends. Have you guys taken her to a dog park or some place where she can see and visit other dogs?

As for treats, have you tried raw meat or lightly cooked meat? This might help perk her up a bit by offering her a high valued reward.

As for increasing her toy drive, we used to do this thing with my dog Juneau (who had zero toy drive in the beginning) where we would lay out all of his toys in a large area and we would play with them, now I'm not just saying play, but make like that toy is the greatest and most fun thing in the world. As soon as he would become interested in the toy we were playing with we would move on to the next toy and play with that. It was very exhausting, but after about 2 weeks of repeating this, Juneau soon became interested in any toy we were holding. And it's important that when you're playing with their toys you're not looking at the dog or trying to entice the dog to get it, don't even talk to the dog, the less attention the dog gets, the more attention the toy gets.

[Kandys_Family]

She definitely perked up at the dog park -- ran and played for about an hour with the dogs and visited all the people. But she wouldn't get into the group fetch game that was going on.

She's definitely a little livelier after a walk or when we come home from being gone for a bit. So I'm hoping we'll get more energy all around soon. So different from what I was expecting!

[Moe]

Glad to hear she's perked up a bit. I think it can take a while for a dog to adjust to their new life. Keep us posted.

[deepnite10]

Toby is the same way..he s just very satisfied to be a couch potato
all day..

i tried playing catch and chasing..but, he d just get bored and go back to being disinterested..

then he does perk up when meeting other dogs and people..more so with
dogs since they ll run together and other things dogs like to do with each other..

the only other activity he perks up to is reviewing his commands..he seems to really enjoy those *good boys*