RE: [pyrnet] Pyr Play

["Mosher" <unforgettable@rcn.com>]

Hi Caryl,  I adopted a pry at 1 1/2 yr. I tried everything to get her to
play with me, then when she was about 5 years old I met someone who helped
me.  I got a "Kong" and filled it with treats, stuffed the darn thing so I
thought everything would never come out!  Capped it off with peanut butter.
This was the only toy she could play with....Which was not a problem,
because she thought I bought all others for me to act like a jerk.  (smile)
It took some coaxing to get her to keep interested in the Kong.  If it moved
away, she wouldn't go get it.  Then after about two weeks, I almost gave up,
she played with the toy for over 5 hours!  I must have been a good stuffer
that day!  Next, I took a small box, 2 1/2 inches by 6 inches and put slices
of cooked bacon inside, taped the sides shut and set it on the floor.  She
went crazy over it.  Well, I had to bribe her with bacon strips first to wet
the appetite.  Then I found if I took different treats and placed them in
toys she began to take an interest in looking at them as well.  I sliced
tennis balls and put "old mother hubbard" treats inside. Other than bacon
and chicken, that was Princess' favorite treat.  After a while I didn't have
to bribe her anymore, of course she still is on the look out and I do hide
the treats every now and again to keep her interested and wondering.
Princess was so boring before this, but since I did these things and worked
with her to Play by herself, she is more playful with me and brings toys to
me when she wants to play.  Another toy she likes is a monkey that shrieks
when you squeeze it.  She will take that thing and swing it toss it up in
the air, run after it and toss it again, begging me to try to get it before
she can.  She wins alot.  I think the game is rigged.  She throws the toy in
her direction, not mine.  (smile)

Samson is another story.  I got him at 9 weeks.  Of course, the breeders
played with him alot.  Encouraging him to run after paper wads, basket
balls, sticks, anything that could move.  It has helped alot.  I had to keep
up his interest in these things, and some days I wish I hadn't, but he is as
close to a pyr retriever that I'll ever get.  With him, I didn't need to
"Hide the Treats", but a good hunt for the gold is always welcomed by him.
(grin)

Don't give up.  Your pyr may not know how to play.  Once they learn to play
by themselves, they always enjoy playing with you.  Good luck!

P.S.  I have a big laundry basket filled with toys out in the living room,
nearly all of them are scattered all over the house by the end of the day.
I didn't do the scattering.  Now, only if I had more time to teach them to
pick up after themselves!  One day that will happen! (chuckle)

Sheryl Mosher, Princess & Samson