Louie has not been interested in any of the toys we've gotten him: squeaky kong fox (car fox), chuckit balls, everlasting treat ball.

I received the Buster Cube last night and tried to feed Louie his meal in it (he watched me fill it with his meal), but he stopped trying after about 2 seconds. I even showed him that food comes out it. So I figured it was too hard for him and moved him to something easier. I took the chicken top (he has no interest for it) off his everlasting treat ball and filled THAT with his meal + high value treats, using it also as a bowl of sorts with his kibble filled to the brim. He ate the overflowing part off the top of the everlasting treat ball and didn't play with the ball for more food.

I'm sure he can smell the food in there and he's hungry (he'll eat more if I just put it in his bowl), but it's almost as if it's not worth the "trouble" of playing with it to get more food.

Can/should I exclusively feed him using the treat ball (and eventually the buster cube) to "force" him to "earn" his food?

I am probably missing something, but why does the dog need to earn his food? Is there a particular reason he MUST interact with these toys?

Thought it would a good way to get him to learn how to play with toys using food. Also trying to find ways to mentally stimulate him... as well as not waste all these toys we've bought.

This guy might be one of those dogs who will take a while to learn how to play.

Some of this is in the dog's makeup, I think, but I believe that some is due to a long time spent on the street.

Some of it is even based partly on a need to keep an eye on the situation around them, I think, rather than giving attention to (never mind getting absorbed in) a toy or a bowl of food beyond eat-what's-needed-and-go-back-to-observation.

Your guy has moved beyond requiring almost-constant hiding and watching from his den/crate in a pretty short time.


In the case of a couch-potato personality, I've found that my own animation and upbeat demeanor (read: act like an idiot) have been required to turn that switch, and even then it has been kind of a long slog.

I have actually taught a couple of Pugs to enjoy playing "fetch." I don't know if you know any Pugs, but they are not generally what you would call prey/play drivey dogs. Or smart. Or high-energy.

I'm proud of that accomplishment! But neither one will ever be interested in a toy that doesn't have me attached to it, or at least doing something with it.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

Some of it is even based partly on a need to keep an eye on the situation around them, I think, rather than giving attention to (never mind getting absorbed in) a toy or a bowl of food beyond eat-what's-needed-and-go-back-to-observation.

In the case of a couch-potato personality, I've found that my own animation and upbeat demeanor (read: act like an idiot) have been required to turn that switch, and even then it has been kind of a long slog.

I never thought of it that way. I think you are right. He is always aware of noises (especially people making a racket/walking out in the hallway) and will stare at the front door a lot.

I've tried to be upbeat (acting like a total fool), but he's often scared when I'm making big arm motions with a happy pitched (read: high). He did have a little party with us when I came home from work tonight... and then proceeded to nap on his dog bed for the next few hours. So I think he's capable of it. Baby steps it is.

And I might have to come to grip the fact that maybe he's never going to be interested in these toys. Baby steps for me too.

A party is a good thing when you got home is awesome!!!
He is really making huge steps pretty quickly

Have you tried putting a kong filled with something really really yummy in his crate with him where he feels safest.

I am thinking a concoction of sardine or tuna or salmon mixed with oatmeal or yogurt then frozen.

 Quote: Simon Tai

And I might have to come to grip the fact that maybe he's never going to be interested in these toys.

Never say never, Simon. It is definitely the truth though that almost all dogs have toys and things they prefer to interact with over other toys and things.

Once your relationship with him is cemented, then the object becomes less important to him than the activity in which you engage him with the object. Balabanov has a good description of this on one of his DVD's. He wants his dogs to be able to play tug with anything - plastic milk jug, water bottle, old sock, whatever. The object itself doesn't matter as much as what the dog's partner is able to do with the object to make life interesting and rewarding.

I agree with the posts above - use the toy as a crate toy filled with something irresistable. Just leave it in the crate. You might find that he's tearing into it when you are not around. We often toss a kong to our guy when we leave for work. Usually, he tears into it right away, but not always. Sometimes he saves it for later.

Take care.