OES won't play with toys or go to the bathroom in our yard!
So here's the deal...We have no idea what her background is, she was picked up as a stray in Oskaloosa, Iowa. She has no aggression whatsoever. If you give her a treat, you have to pretty much shove it in her mouth for her to take it from your hand. So, we think that she just doesn't have it in her to play. She has picked up a tennis ball and chewed it a couple of times, but won't chase it. She will chew on a beef tendon (thank goodness) but that is pretty much it. If you bring out a squeaky toy, she cowers. (I am thinking maybe she was torchured with squeaky toys) The only 4 things she LOVES to do is be the typical Velcro dog, watch cars out the windows, go for walks, and ride in the truck. She doesn't bark unless provoked by other dogs or we are working in the garage and she is in the yard. She lets kids grab and pet her, she doesn't flinch, even if a 3-yr old sneaks up on her and gives her a tight hug around the neck. She refuses to go to the bathroom in our yard. We tried to play with her and just sit outside to see if she would just go in the yard. After a few hours, we decided to take her for her walk, and no lie, as soon as we got out of our yard, she peed in the street. Then last night, the gate was left open, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw Maggie escape, run across the street, and pee in their yard. She was outside with us for 3 hours! Don't get me wrong, we LOVE our dog, and so does EVERYONE else. She is everything we wanted in a dog and are happy that we got an AWESOME rescue dog, but us humans want to play sometimes too! Any advice? And I am sorry this is long, I just can't find a lot of information on these 2 things and want to know what people that know the breed and temperament are....and what works in the real world. Thanks in advance, Wendy and Josh |
|
|
| Wendy---
Welcome to the forum....I can tell you we have many people here who can give you suggestions. Though I am no expert, I think you are doing all the right things. I have a rescue OES, Pearl and like you, knew nothing about her background. We got her when she was about 6-9 months old and now, at age 11, she still will cower if we are riding in a car and a truck or bus comes up next to us. We were told she was taken to the Humane Society in the back of a pickup on the highway and I think that traumatized her for life. Maggie sounds like a happy, tolerent OES and you may need to give her more time to adjust to her new life. It is possible that all these things will work out in time. Are you taking her to obedience classes? Maybe getting her involved in something will help with socialization and also may help her get over these issues. Good Luck and keep us posted!!!! and...when you have time...post pictures of your new sheepie, Maggie!!!!! |
| i also think that you just need to give her some time....because you dont know her background, you dont know the full story.....
if she isnt playing, lay down on the floor with her, pet her and gently tease her with the toy...set the toy down near her, but dont force her to play with it...she may just need time to figure out that the toys are hers and are okay to play with... regarding the peeing thing..we got panda as a puppy and she would still rather pee in the park across the street or on a neighbors lawn, than her own backyard....if she has to go and has no where else to do it, she will..you might want to take her out on a lead, to a spot that you want her to go and tell her to go potty (or use whatever term), stay with her until she does and then give her a treat....id say, start from the beginning like you have a new puppy....patience is everything... it sounds like youre doing great so far, keep it up. |
sheepieshake wrote: Maggie sounds like a happy, tolerent OES and you may need to give her more time to adjust to her new life. It is possible that all these things will work out in time. I agree. We rescued a Cocker Spaniel 14 years ago and we too did not know anything about his background. He would never accept a biscuit or a treat of any kind for about 6 months. He would hide under any table he could find....he liked to be alone. After a few months though...he began to blossom and his personality changed from a scared and timid to loving and energetic. He never has liked to play with toys his whole life...and actually he still to this day doesn't like to play at all. Some dogs are just like that. Give Maggie some time to adjust. You will get some great advice here! Welcome! |
| I just wanted to add that my Barney isn't the biggest player. He goes through phases where he'll play with toys sometimes, but overall he just doesn't play with toys or chase balls or anything. And my parents' ols sheepie didn't play with many toys either, so you may just have a dog who prefers not to play like that... |
| My dogs have never liked going in our own yard.
My first OES never ever EVER picked up a toy on his own. Period. Not once. If given a plastic bone he wouldn't take it. Given a rawhide, he would chew it endlessly, and would guard it with his life. We didn't give those often! Even though he wouldn't pick up a toyu on his own, he would play with a toy with us, and he especially liked the big giant tug ropes (Never let them win!) Our current guy loves his toys and will pick one up and bring it to us to play. We like that a lot! |
| Our first sheepdog never pooped in the yard. We live on a farm, and he always ran across the yard and out into the hayfield to go. And, he taught subsequent dogs to do the same - good deal!
All 3 we have had would rather play with us way more than any toy. Chewie likes the hard bones, but otherwise isn't that into toys. He really loves interacting with us the most. |
Ron wrote: Even though he wouldn't pick up a toyu on his own, he would play with a toy with us, and he especially liked the big giant tug ropes (Never let them win!)
Just to clarify: it's OK to let them "win". 
Tugging got a bad rep there for a while both within the framework of dominance theory and also among trainers/behavioralists who couldn't depend on their clients' dog savvy, so they made pretty broad statements to discourage everyone from playing tug with their dogs. The rules of engagement are 1) human initiates game, 2) human ends game and, in between, 3) no teeth on human. #3 usually precipitates #2 pretty quickly till dog gets the picture that no matter how much he loooves the game, he has to watch where he puts his teeth. If winning means dog gets tug toy, then I let my dogs win a fair amount of the time. I mean. if you were never allowed to win at a certain game, would you keep playing? Tugging is wonderful for bolstering an insecure dog's confidence, and with those dogs especially you go out of your way to "let them win". There are some dogs for whom tugging is not a good idea. They are in the minority, but a dog with poor bite inhibition -- probably not a good bet. A lot of rescue people discourage tugging because you often don't have a good read on a dog's background or personality. It's not something I'd try with a foster who just walked in the door. Performance people (all breeds) disovered what an incredibly powerful training tool it is and bucked the anti-tugging trend and realized that much to our surprise, our dogs did not turn into big, scary monsters, but rather listened to us BETTER thanks to the power of the game. Mind you, not all dogs enjoy the game - Belle thinks it's a waste of time. And if they aren't into toys in general it's harder to instill the want to tug, though it can be done. Though, many, many dogs live perfectly happy and fulfilling lives without ever tugging. 
Still, it is MY favorite game with my dogs though because of how interactive it is. I put my face down in their face and growl at them and we trash talk to each other (do NOT do this with a dog whose temperament you are not 100% sure of - ever!!! Unless you have an overwhelming urge to give reconstructive facial surgery a try...  Remember, I raised my guys since birth) and just feel this incredibly strong connection with them. Some times they even let me win 
Kristine |
| I agree, you need to give it time. It has taken a couple of years to our girl Rebecca who we got at age 5 to come out of her shell. Maybe Maggie got in trouble before for soiling in the wrong place, you never know what the previous owner may or may not have done.
Regarding the playing, Rebecca to this day has never played with a toy. It makes me sad that she was never able to get joy out of toys. It might be something you'll have to live with. Hopefully you can find other fun things to do with her that you both enjoy. Good luck with your girl! p.s. Kristine, I agree with you about the tugging thing. Really depends on the temperament of the dog and I can see why people would be wary about doing this with a rescue. |
| Violet is not a big player of toys either...she does, however, love the tug toy. She and I both growl at each other and talk trash...she loves it. I've never been concerned with who won.
Asia loves to play with toys...she loves to "Fetch". China will play with whatever you give her. The dogs evolve in the family as they get more comfortable. I've had Violet for 5 years and she is becoming more playful with the other dogs then she ever was before. There is hope.  |
| re the tug toy do your sheepies do the backward bouncy bouncy boncy tug?
Archie also isn't keen on using our garden for the toilet, on the occasion he does, he'll bury like a cat - as if "eeew my slave isn't here to pick it up!" as for pee, he prefers to wait, and go when out on a walk, boy does he go, stand well back! |
Welcome to the forum. Time heals many wounds. Poor baby. It is sad, as Deb mentioned, that Maggie wasn't exposed to toys.  I also agree with others to give her time.
Chase, my rescue Akita, is now 8 or 9 and still doesn't understand the toy concept. She will tear it apart or hide it, but never learned to use it as a tool to interact with us or our other dogs. As Darby suggested, petting and touch might be the best interaction you can have right now. Touch therapy has a way of healing all on its own. She sure is cute. |
| An update had been requested, so here it is!
Maggie has yet to poop in our yard, but she did manage to leave a few marks in the spare bedroom a couple days ago, and, in the 8 weeks we have had her, it was the FIRST time she went to the bathroom in the house. What a scary time for the new mommy and daddy! The poor girl got some GI bug and is now REALLY EXCITED to have some ground beef and rice for the next few days, along with some flagyl taken with turkey. We did get her a toy squirrel that she will take up on the couch with her to watch cars with her during the day, so we are getting there. We were hoping that since she LOVES to chase squirrels, this would work. It squeaks, but over 3 weeks, she has come to not care...PLUS! She almost got a real one on our 3 am walk this morning....it fell off the power line trying to get away. Thanks for all of your suggestions, and as always, it's a work in progress. |
wendycz23 wrote: We did get her a toy squirrel that she will take up on the couch with her to watch cars with her during the day, so we are getting there. We were hoping that since she LOVES to chase squirrels, this would work. It squeaks, but over 3 weeks, she has come to not care...PLUS! She almost got a real one on our 3 am walk this morning....it fell off the power line trying to get away.
Where are you in Wisconsin???? You need to bring her lurecoursing with us!!!!! My little girls and Lucali (Sunny's) Luca went last weekend. It's a blast. No live squirrels, but some nice bunny fur to chase...she just might go for it. Thanks so much for the update! 
Kristine |
| We are in Prescott, Wisconsin....just minutes from the Twin Cities.
I am looking for play dates too! Maggie needs to practice her left-hook with other dogs that get her |
| Then you should consider getting to know the Twin Cities OES Club. Dawn (Got Sheep) and LeAnne on the forum are members - and LeAnne is moving to the TC's area. The current president, who lives in St Paul, is an obedience and agility afficionado and one of my best friends. There are several WI OES people who are members of the club as well. Lots of fun people up your way. Not that you have to be a club member to have or be fun.
[Dawn - did you survive your migraine?  ] Dawn should be able to put you in touch with some of them. The prez of the club will have a 12 week old puppy in 2 1/2 weeks who will be looking for playdates...
I'm in the greater Racine area - just south of Milwaukee, and there are a bunch of OES people here and in Northern IL as well, in case you happen to be heading our way at some point. Kristine |
Mad Dog wrote: The prez of the club will have a 12 week old puppy in 2 1/2 weeks who will be looking for playdates... Kristine are you counting down |
| We got Laci when she was 5 months old. She was kept with adult dogs and did not know how to play. Now at 2 1/2 years old, she plays. Keep faith and lots of loving.... |
kerry wrote: Mad Dog wrote: The prez of the club will have a 12 week old puppy in 2 1/2 weeks who will be looking for playdates... Kristine are you counting down No, surprisingly, I'm not.
I have a strong sense that this is the most extraordinary OES I've ever layed eyes or hands on from a performance perspective, so there is that added responsibility, but I'm enjoying every minute with her while I can. Kristine |
Mad Dog wrote: kerry wrote: Mad Dog wrote: The prez of the club will have a 12 week old puppy in 2 1/2 weeks who will be looking for playdates... Kristine are you counting down No, surprisingly, I'm not. I have a strong sense that this is the most extraordinary OES I've ever layed eyes or hands on from a performance perspective, so there is that added responsibility, but I'm enjoying every minute with her while I can. Kristine hmmm really 
why do you say that - just looking for an education. |
| She is the epitomy of everything I've ever loved in my favorite performance OES - not just mine; also any that I've had the great fortune to meet.
That fine balance of bold, yet biddable. High drive, yet with a strong sense of self preservation. Superior intelligence tempered by great kindness and forgiveness. And the floating, ground covering gait so unusual in a puppy her age doesn't hurt the eyes either. I can make a list, but ultimately it's a "feeling" about the whole picture; a presence - not so much the components, but how they all come together. She's special. She knows it. And I know it too. Kristine |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|