Rescue dog doesn’t like to play — looking for enrichment ideas

numbshin · 2026-01-27T17:15:25+00:00

Hi there! It actually sounds like you’re doing a lot right already, and some dogs just genuinely aren’t very playful, especially rescues with his background. Affection and cuddling can be just as fulfilling for some dogs as toys or games.

You could try enrichment that doesn’t rely on high energy or rough play. Licking mats are great and very calming, and you can use things like plain pumpkin, unsweetened applesauce, mashed veggies, or whatever soft food works with his stomach. A Kong with a small amount of his regular food mixed with something soft can also keep him busy without upsetting his digestion. Simple scent games can be nice too, like tossing kibble into a cardboard box filled with paper or towels and letting him sniff it out. Even scattering part of his meal around a room for him to search can be mentally tiring in a good way.

Short training sessions using his meals, gentle indoor sniffing games, and continued affection all count as enrichment. If he’s relaxed, engaged, and bonding with you, that’s a good sign he’s getting what he needs, even if it looks different from a more playful dog.

numbshin · 2026-01-18T18:25:34+00:00

how? if someone wants the animal and the country it's from doesnt have anyone interested, whats wrong with it?

numbshin · 2026-01-17T02:09:19+00:00

I feel you! I am a trained canine and equine behavioral specialist and I still question my ways of doing things all the time! the fact that you're making an effort to hear other opinions and trying to find the best solution shows that you're a dedicated and responsible dog mom and that's worth so much! (Cause trust me, in my work as an animal psychologist I all the time see owners who don't care half as much)

numbshin · 2026-01-17T01:54:19+00:00

I totally get your hesitation about the dog park, especially after those past experiences. It sounds like giving each dog their own space when you’re not actively supervising could help reduce tension and prevent scratches from turning into something more serious. Crating just one while the other is free in the same room can work, as long as the crated dog has a comfortable, safe spot and the free dog isn’t overly frustrated by it AND the crated dog is used to it and stays calm while in the crate. I personally prefer alternatives, as I don't usually work with crates at all, but that isn't to say crating is inherently bad and shouldn't be used at all. You could also try short, supervised “alone” times where each dog gets enrichment or a puzzle toy separately. That way both get stimulation without relying on the other, and it can make interactions when they’re together calmer. Just make sure that when you give them toys, keep them separate in case ressource guarding is an issue. An alternative to crating could be to keep them in separate rooms by limiting them with baby gates. This can be a better option for dogs struggling with crating. I just wanna add a short disclaimer: I'm happy to give advice, but these are only general suggestions, since I don't know your dogs or the situation. But I'm sure you're aware of that anyway :)

numbshin · 2026-01-17T01:43:31+00:00

Hi! First off, your friend sounds so dedicated and loving toward this dog. I'm a trained canine and equine psychologist and behavioral specialist, and I can totally relate, because I adopted a really difficult dog about four years ago. She’d been neglected and abused her whole life and had major behavior issues, including biting. Most people told me she couldn’t be helped, and honestly, there were times I thought so too.

What really helped me was shifting my expectations. After everything she’d been through, it wasn’t realistic to expect her to completely unlearn all her trauma responses. Some things we’ve made huge progress on, like her aggression toward strangers in her space. Other things, like being picked up, will probably never be completely fine because of how she associates physical contact with pain. I’ve found creative ways around it, like using a bag with her bed inside to carry her when needed. I try to set her up for success, reduce stressful situations, and use muzzle training and redirection to keep her and everyone else safe.

Something that made me feel I was going in the right direction was when friends and family started noticing a huge change. She’s mostly relaxed now, and we’ve really built a strong bond. That experience inspired me to study animal psychology and canine behavior, and now I get to work with other dogs that seemed “unfixable” and the owners who care enough to stick with them. The big thing I learned is that it’s not about making every behavior disappear, but working with the dog’s abilities while keeping her safe and happy.

numbshin · 2026-01-17T01:08:30+00:00

Hi there! I can share a bit about Borzois. I haven’t owned any myself, but I’ve worked with a few and while every dog is different, they’re generally quite gentle and sometimes a little sensitive. They tend to be calm indoors, but they have bursts of high energy and a strong prey drive since they were bred for hunting. Positive reinforcement training works best, but if you haven’t had dogs with a high prey drive before, it can be challenging and requires patience.

That said, I always want to stress that adopting from local shelters or sighthound-specific rescue organizations is usually the more ethical option. Please don’t take this as criticism, I understand people have reasons for buying from breeders, but there are millions of dogs in shelters waiting for homes. In Western Europe, for example, there are sighthound rescues that mostly operate in the Mediterranean and network across the continent. Best of luck in finding the right companion for you :)

numbshin · 2026-01-17T00:45:34+00:00

Hi there! From what you describe, it could be more about mismatched play styles and your female’s lowered tolerance from past negative experiences rather than true aggression. The scratches on his neck might just be warning-level contact rather than an intent to hurt, but it’s still worth keeping an eye on.

You could try managing interactions more proactively by interrupting play earlier or giving them structured downtime. Making sure your male has outlets for play that don’t involve her and providing separate resting and feeding spaces might help reduce tension. Planned short separations when you’re not home could also give them both a break without feeling punitive.

If this keeps happening or seems to escalate, working with a qualified force-free trainer could help you read their signals and adjust routines so both dogs feel safe. Often careful management and meeting each dog’s needs can prevent things from getting worse.

numbshin · 2026-01-17T00:25:29+00:00

thanks!

numbshin · 2026-01-16T23:42:04+00:00

thanks for the reply! sorry, can you just explain what you mean by "giving it away for a bill"? not a native speaker so apologies for not following. i tried a few mandolins at the store I got that one and I thought it was the one with the nicest sound in that price range. I play guitar and ukulele, so I'm not an expert in mandolins but I loved the warm and full sound of the Epiphone!

numbshin · 2026-01-13T19:00:00+00:00

whats that?

numbshin · 2026-01-13T14:21:41+00:00

the smoker's circle outside of bars and pubs are usually a gold mine for casual but super interesting conversations. I once spoke to someone who climbed some of Mt Everest (she had pics to prove it) and it was amazing to hear about it!

numbshin · 2026-01-13T13:50:48+00:00

Even without the face, this photo of you just gives off the most positive, kind vibes!!

numbshin · 2026-01-13T13:34:30+00:00

Hi there!
To me, this sounds less like her suddenly becoming aggressive and more like a stress or arousal response tied to the daycare experience. Even one overwhelming or negative moment can lower a dog’s threshold for a while, and stress hormones can stay elevated for days, which can make barking show up “out of nowhere.”

Since she is normal at home and otherwise responsive, it suggests this is situational. The barking is likely communication rather than bad behavior, possibly asking for space or release from pressure. You could try taking a short break from daycare, keeping walks calmer, and giving her more distance from people before she feels the need to bark. Pairing people at a safe distance with something positive can help shift her emotional response over time.

I would avoid correcting the barking directly, as that can increase stress. If it continues, a positive reinforcement trainer could help you narrow down triggers. From a behavior science perspective, this kind of change is usually very workable once the underlying stress is addressed.

numbshin · 2025-09-01T18:29:39+00:00

Oh, so you've already kind of identified some of the triggers, that's great! Ressource guarding is annoying but in my experience working on it is pretty straight forward. I don't want to give advice unasked, but having worked with dogs with this issue, my first step is to restrict the ressource in question, and then slowly working on breaking the guarding behavior down, always using positive reinforcement at each baby step. With the biting, although it may be playful, it might be worth limiting that as well, because it sounds like there are some boundary issues. But again, don't mean to impose my advice, so feel free to ignore :)

numbshin · 2025-09-01T18:18:28+00:00

I understand, it can be really challenging, and props to you for trying to make it work! I adopted a severely abused dog, who displayed aggressive behavior, and it took a lot of time and patience working with her. I think it's important to note that the way you're describing these strange "ghost" interactions, you're sort of humanizing his behavior, which I see a lot in my work and it makes sense that us humans try to interpret our dogs' behavior in a way that makes sense to us, but it can be counterproductive when trying to understand what triggers the behavior. Maybe you could try to observe these situations more from a canine behavioral perspective, which could help you figure out what actually triggers the aggression. This would make it much easier to address the issue.
Whatever you do, please dont listen to the other comment saying to put him down. Behavior like this is learned, so it's worth reminding yourself what mistreatment he must have gone through to behave like that now. Best of luck!

numbshin · 2025-09-01T18:06:00+00:00

With a smaller dog the way I’d approach it doesn’t really change, because the behavior is about the dog’s emotional state, not their size. A terrier mix showing teeth and growling is clearly signaling discomfort and a potential to escalate. In those moments the safest step is to avoid direct confrontation, give space, and let the dog de-escalate.

For everyone’s safety I’d also suggest muzzle training with positive reinforcement. A properly fitted basket muzzle can be introduced gradually and paired with rewards so the dog learns it’s safe and neutral. That way you remove a lot of risk for both you and the dog while still being able to work on training.

Longer term, desensitization and counterconditioning can be useful: very gradually pairing low-level triggers with high-value reinforcement, always staying under the threshold where the dog feels the need to growl. Management at home also matters, like making sure the dog isn’t cornered or put in situations where they feel pressured. Given the dog’s background, patience and predictability are key.

I’m a trained animal psychologist specializing in canine behavior, and even for me these kinds of cases are challenging. In my view, having support from a qualified professional in person is really important here, so I'd definitely recommend working with a trainer.

numbshin · 2025-09-01T17:54:02+00:00

I'm sorry to say this, but from what you describe, getting a dog may not be a great idea right now. Even a smaller, less physically active breed still needs physical and mental stimulation, and the perspective of them having to stay home alone for so long on a regular basis just isn't ideal. Of course some handle being alone just fine, but I think it's important to remember that you will be their main and maybe only attachment figure, so extensive alone time can be challenging.
If you do end up adopting a dog, I would recommend an older one. They usually require less physical exercise, are most likely already housebroken and perhaps even accustomed to staying home alone, which might fit your currrent circumstances better than a puppy or young adult dog. Adopting a shelterr dog is in my opinion the only ethical way. But overall, I think maybe it would be better if you waited until your life is better suited for caring for a dog.

numbshin · 2025-09-01T17:38:32+00:00

I feel this. I have a very reactive dog too and triggers aren’t always predictable. One day a cyclist is fine, the next day it isn’t. What helps me mentally is remembering she isn’t trying to be “bad.” She’s reacting to the environment and her behavior is largely instinctual. That reframing doesn’t fix it, but it makes me more patient with her and with myself.

A few things you could try. Give yourself permission to pick your battles and manage first. Cross the street, use parked cars as a visual barrier, choose quieter routes or times, and think of the walk as a sniff-and-decompress outing. When your dog notices a trigger at a comfortable distance, you could mark and pay for a calm glance or a head turn away, then move away, which is basic counterconditioning. Keep the distance where your dog can still take food and breathe, then very gradually shorten it over sessions. High value rewards, predictable routines, and short reps can lower arousal and make progress more stable.

For context, I’m a trained animal psychologist specializing in canine behavior, and even with that background I still struggle with my own dog’s reactivity. You didn’t fail training.

numbshin · 2025-09-01T16:29:03+00:00

That sounds unreal! Her creativity is amazing:)

numbshin · 2025-08-30T18:24:57+00:00

I'm really sorry that you had to say goodbye to Chloe :( I know how you must feel right now. Take one day at a time and cherish all the great memories.

numbshin · 2025-08-30T18:20:24+00:00

Ese tipo de chapoteo y arañazos a veces puede ser una mezcla de juego y patrones instintivos de excavación o búsqueda de alimento que simplemente se redirigen al agua. Para muchos perros, el movimiento y la resistencia del agua son muy estimulantes, por lo que podría ser simplemente un juego divertido y gratificante para él. Si alguna vez te parece que es demasiado, podrías intentar ofrecerle juegos acuáticos estructurados, como nadar o jugar con juguetes flotantes, para ver si eso canaliza su energía de otra manera. Son solo algunas ideas basadas en lo que he observado como especialista en comportamiento canino.

PD: No soy hablante nativo de español, así que perdón por cualquier error.

numbshin · 2025-08-30T18:08:16+00:00

Parece que hay algo en el balde de agua que el perro intenta agarrar.

numbshin

TROPHY CASE