shelties lack of playfulllness

Question
My sheltie, Barney is about 4 years old. He was rescued from the streets about 10 months ago and we adopted him 6 months ago. I don't know what his background was before he was found. He is housebroken and leash trained which may suggest he lived in a house at some point in his life. Anyway he is extremely shy, has skin problems and allergies. He has totally bonded to me and follows me everywhere. My question sounds silly but Barney does not seem to know how to play with toys or run around. Outside he just lays on the grass and is totally uninterested in any balls, chew toys/bones. He never runs around the yard (usual house size yard). When taken for walks he just walks along at snail pace and quite often has to be dragged. These are really small walks only lasting about 10 minutes. He is an inside dog and sleeps/lays down most of the time. The only thing that gets him excited is when food comes around, which I presume comes from living on the streets. He is the most un-physical dog I have ever seen and he is a herding breed.

Any ideas ?

Anna  

Answer
Anna,

NO question is ever silly.  Certainly not yours!
I think I don't know if I should hug you for adopting a sheltie or cry for what he's been through or both.  And I'm not ever emotional.

This is a tough question.  My first instinct is to ask if you have seen or know of any other shelties-or any breed of hearding or playful dogs- in the area.  Maybe a few play-dates would help if he saw how other shelties played, or had an outgoing dog prod him until he plays.  Most any, but not all, sheltie owners would be happy to help you.

Did you give him his name, or do we know where it came from?  If Barney was his name from when he was found with some kind of tag, then we need a new name.  If you named him skip to the next question.

My next question is if you have someplace where he can be exposed to any of the following: geese, ducks, sheep, or even children who are playing.  See if he has any instinct to heard or act out at all.  Encourage ANY interactivity he exhibits.  

Don't drag him on walks.  Carry him if he doesn't want to walk.  Tell him it's ok and take him home when he doesn't respond.  The idea is to get him to walk a little bit further each day... and let it be his idea.

You can play with Barney by getting on the floor near him and "play bowing": kneel down, put both hands and forearms on the floor with your bottom in the air.  Give him a playful woof and nudge him a toy.  Roll over and show him your tummy with your "paws" relaxed.  Encourage him with treats.  You'll know if he does anything pro-active, and give him a treat.  Gently bite his tail with a playful high pitiched toned "grr" and run away from him- stop and look at him like you expect him to chase.  Anytime he sneezes give him a treat.  Period.

The lethargic thing is what is the biggest mystery-to both of us obviously.  I am wondering if you have taken this up with your veternarian.  Perhaps you should have his thyroid tested.  Shelties should have a higher than normal level of thyroid whatever it is in their blood than other breeds of similar size.  However not being a vet myself I would not have any notion of what to look for in a lethargic dog.

The nut of this is that we may never know what is up with Barney.  We will certainly never know what he went through that makes him the way he is now. Just know that he is very happy that you are taking care of him.  Love on him, pray for him, and take care of him.  Maybe he will liven up for you, maybe nothing will help.  

For the side point: check with a vet first but skin allergies can be helped with an over the counter single pill of benadryl allergy.  

Not a very cohesive answer (sorry) but you definitely have me thinking.  Please hit me with another question if you get anything or at least let me know what works, or doesn't.

'sneezes
Dave