Toys for us to play together?

[Auggie's Mom]

I'm wondering if anyone can suggest some toys that will allow me to play with Auggie. He's totally uninterested in balls of every kind, so playing fetch is not an option. He doesn't really seem to like rope toys either, and I don't want to get into any tug-o-war games with him as I suspect it will bring up some alpha issues.

Augs generally likes cat toys (anything made out of fake or real fur) and plush toys. I'd love to find something that he likes that I could be involved with. Any ideas?

[soph & li mom]

I'm wondering if anyone can suggest some toys that will allow me to play with Auggie. He's totally uninterested in balls of every kind, so playing fetch is not an option. He doesn't really seem to like rope toys either, and I don't want to get into any tug-o-war games with him as I suspect it will bring up some alpha issues.

Augs generally likes cat toys (anything made out of fake or real fur) and plush toys. I'd love to find something that he likes that I could be involved with. Any ideas?


A remote control mouse?

[Pokey's Mom]

I can begin to understand, as my guy is an "independent hunter." :)

If you have someone else to play with you, a game of monkey in the middle might help (toss ball back and forth). It can be fun in a long hallway or open floor plan. We use the mini tennis balls that are mint flavored -very much "cat sized." Maybe toss a small kong? When I'm alone with Pokey I bounce it off a door I don't mind cleaning later. :D

Our guy likes to play alone with us right next to him, giving encouragement. (He's 13 years old.) He likes the Dr. Noys plush toys that have velcro openings to get to the squeakers. We put a, "Treat Inside" and let him play with sports like commentary. You could toss this as well. He likes to shred paper towel tubes by himself. (-again sports like commentary eggs him on) There are great rules for gentle tug while maintaining Alpha roles. (Patt had a great link!) He loooooves a jolly game of gentle tug (no twisting or sharp moves) if we adhere to alpha roles.

Our guy loves baby carrots for "Tricks for Treats" (-any combination of sit, stay, come, down, shake, etc.) It's educational and interactive.

Then there is the sacred and holy Molecuball. We put leftover breakfast or dinner in it and set it down. Sometimes he needs to be engaged with "come and get it," or "go get your..." We pass it back and forth on the floor between our hands (fake left, fake right, etc) and he tends to romp in. If not, just give it a rattle and show how the treats come out. Chopped up baby carrots are a good low cal treat for these toys.
Molecuball picture (http://www.adogthing.com/items/molecuball__3_adxw.htm)

How old is Auggie? Dachshunds are bred to hunt independently, and our guy likes to play independently for the most part. Others are quite different!

[oscarforevermom]

Oscar has lots of toys and loves to play fetch. I stick with latex rubber toys that he can't destroy them. A lot of them squeak and make a noise.

I found a darling latex ice cream cone with a face that has a great squeaker!! :). It has become his toy of choice. I got it at Walgreen's - of all places and it was about $3. He'd chase that thing all day - but it wears me out after a while. One good thing - it gives him lots of exercise and he's ready for his crate to take a nap when he's done playing.

[Tasha's Mom]

We play keep away with Tasha, DH and I tossing a toy between us and occasionally letting her get it. Its exercise and makes the toy highly desirable.

Have you taken Auggie into a pet store to see what might interest him when you show it to him?

[Auggie's Mom]

And sorry it's taken me so long to reply.

My little guy is 5 years old now and very picky about what he will and won't play with. No Kongs, no latex toys, no rope toys, nothing ball shaped. I may give the Molecuball a try. He does love the baby carrots, so that's a great suggestion. As far as leftover breakfast or dinner, Auggie's never left anything over in his life!

However, he does love anything plushy, anything cardboard (paper towel rolls, etc.), and anything furry. Lately I've been tossing plushy toys from one end of my apartment to the other while he chases them. Training him to do tricks and taking him to the dog run has also been a lot of fun.

Thanks again for your suggestions!

[LUVMYGUNNER]

Gunner love regular size frisbees.