Sit, Sit, Sit!

Question
Hi,

There was a question posted on 6/15/2005 about an adopted lab who didn't play fetch.  We've just adopted a beautiful chocolate lab female about 2 weeks ago who is extremely timid & I suspect she's been beaten & abused/neglected.  I've had labs all of my life & they are just about the best dogs on earth, so this just sickens and disgusts me!  

We've identified a bit of a chewing problem; specifically shoes, pillows, plastic toys & such - nothing really insurmountable.  We are still in the process of trying different chew toys out because it appears that it's just a "lab thing" & not something more serious like separation anxiety.  I've seen a few websites saying that playing fetch with her would help.

Just like your other reader we've also observed that this dog doesn't appear to know how to fetch or play.  She's great with other dogs, but I don't think she's ever been able to "play" with humans.  We've tried bones, balls, and frisbees so far.  I know that fetching is a basic dog game that's pretty instinctive, can you please offer any suggestions?  

Answer
Lets start with some background on toys.  

The pet stores are full of toys that many dogs will quickly chew up into
pieces they could choke on or cause intestinal blockages.  If you are not
there to watch, stick to sturdy stuff such as Nylabones and Kongs.  Keep a
close eye on chew toys and quickly discard anything that is coming apart in
pieces.  Rawhide is especially bad because it swells after being swallowed.
These problems are the worst with, but not limited to, large, aggressive
chewers such as Labs.

Ropes from the pets' store quickly turn to hazardous shreds.   Ones I made
lasted much better.   Go to a hardware or home center that sells rope by the
foot.  Buy 2' of 3/4" poly rope.   Melt the ends, and tie knots in it.  Get
them as tight as possible, put it in a vise and pound it with a hammer.  Watch
carefully, and be ready to discard when it comes apart.

With a sturdy rope, you can try to play tug of war with her.  Let her win.  This is a confidence builder I often suggest in cases of submissive wetting.  When the game is over, your, the top dog, give the command ''Give'' or ''Drop'' and keep the rope.  

Dogs really don't like fetch.  They much prefer chase, where on dog gets something and runs with it while the other dog chases it.  Before starting either tug of war, or chase, you need to have ''Give'' or ''Drop'' well established along with the rest of basic obedience.  

Once she is playing more with you, you can try fetch.  Throw something, and call her when she picks it up.  If she comes to you with it, praise her and and again, ''Give'' or ''Drop'', and then throw it again.