[laceyfaye]

Not even a joke. I could cup my hand and she'd still fit into it, with maybe a back leg hanging off!

We are bringing her home on Thursday and was wondering how to actually start playing with her and getting her to be a little bit active. Obviously she's a puppy so she'll definitely be pretty playful on her own, but all toys that we've seen that would be ideal for a puppy would probably scare her off because she's already so tiny.

Any ideas other than just playing with us? Not that that would be an issue, just curious since she will probably stay this size for another month.

We had another pup and she never played with toys because for the first month and a half she was way too tiny to play, then just never touched a toy. She'd literally look at you with a "what do you want me to do with that?!" kind of look.

 

[StormyPeak]

I once had a small dog, she too fit into my hand hand when I first brought her home from the animal shelter. She found all kinds of things to play with...most of which were bigger than her : )

I don't think you should worry too much about toys. Find an old sock and tie a knot in it....puppies love to drag stuff around and a sock works great, also, I'm sure you could go a toy department and find some of those hollow plastic balls that are a little smaller than a golf ball...they fit into toy guns...those would be light weight and probably not cost that much money. A golf ball might work too, but I suspect it might weigh too much at first.

Anyway, depending upon the puppy's personality...most small dogs don't realize they are small and even welcome the challenge of tackling a larger stuffed animal and dragging it around. Of course, large for your dog, might be a tiny stuffed animal for a dog like my current one, a golden retriever....lol

Also...a lazer light can go a long way in entertaining both pet and people : )

Stormy

 

[laceyfaye]

Never even thought of a laser light! Since my cats love to play with it, I already have a few. May have to see if the little one will give it a go.

Will also have to try the sock, plenty of old ones that she could rough house with.

Thank for the suggestions, @StormyPeak

 

[SnackRat]

No on the laser light!!! It seems cute in theory, but can be incredibly problematic for many dogs. For instance, this kind of story (one of many): https://paws4udogs.wordpress.com/2014/12/22/the-dangers-of-playing-with-laser-lights/

Kitten and cat toys come in all shapes and sizes. Feather wands, little squishy balls, and many more. But I wouldn't isolate her from big toys. Fill her life with lots of interesting things of all shapes and sizes, especially since practically everything she ever meets is going to tower over her...just make sure her early experiences with them are all positive!

 

[StormyPeak]

@SnackRat,

I think a dog can become obsessed with anything if an owner keeps the dog's attention focused on it long enough and on a daily basis. I don't think playing with a lazer light upon occasion is going to do damage.

The last 5 dogs I've had, I used a lazer light and let them play with it. None became obsessed with light bouncing off the walls or even the Christmas lights that flickered. I didn't do it on a daily basis...just once in a while...ditto with the cat...the play sessions did't go on forever, nor did I do it on a daily basis. I think play with any toy in an obsessive manner can get a pet fixated on it.

I saw an episode on t.v. once where a dog was obsessed with rocks...as that was what his owner only threw for the dog to fetch. The dog wouldn't go after balls or anything else because as a young pup it was rocks. Then even when the owner wasn't encouraging it, the dog began to constantly going from rock to rock trying to pick them up. So, again, I think any consistent focus on just one toy can be harmful...and banning lazer lights as a toy doesn't make sense to me because of that.

Stormy