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My dog doesn't act like a dog

5080 Views 14 Replies 12 Participants Last post by  JoanneF
I have a Yorkie mix who does not behave like a dog. I got her 2 years ago at 6 months. Her distant, non-engaging behavior has always been there and nothing I have done has changed it.

We go to the dog park 3 or 4 days a week. She does not go up to other dogs, she will not run with them or chase them. If one tries to engage her, she ignores them until they lose interest and find a better playmate.

Not once has she chased a ball; if one is thrown she barely glances at it. Toys of any type do not interest her.

The only interaction she gets excited about is small children. But since I don't have any and they aren't allowed at the dog park, that is only on rare occasions.

She comes when called and stays. Heel isn't necessary because she always walks on my left side without running off, most of the time a leash isn't necessary. But these behaviors aren't anything she learned in class. I have taken her for training with 3 different trainers and they've tried to get her to fetch and other actions that would lead to playing. Problem is, she doesn't want treats, so there is no way to entice or reward behavior.

Frankly, all she does at home is lie there, she's not a companion, she's a fixture. This is not what I wanted from a dog and am thinking of getting rid of her and finding a real dog.

Any suggestions?
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Oh that must be very disheartening. May I ask what kind of treats you've been using? Also, what is her body positioning like while training? I don't know a single dog that won't work for food unless: a) You're using something that isn't that reinforcing enough for her (my sister's miniature dachshund only works for steak!) b) She's in an extreme fearful state.
I have bought all sorts of treats from the pet store and the vet's office. She's just not interested. Her body position isn't one of fear, she just doesn't understand the need. Frankly, she is self-taught at the stay/heel etc. that's not my worry.
It's the lack of interest in playing, with toys and especially with other dogs. I thought if I took her to the park frequently that she would bond with some of the other dogs (most of the time it's the same ones) and start playing or at least reacting to them. But nothing. I am beginning to think she's really a cat.
Have you tried using human food for treats? If you haven't already I would try some different meats. It might be more enticing to her then store bought dog treats.
Just a thought, but it might be worth it to take her to the vets to see if theres any medical reason for it. Or she might not like the taste of/be allergic to something specific in the treats you've tried.

Do you know much about her past? It could also be that she just naturally has a aloof personality and is just a rare dog that isn't motivated by treats or toys.
I had 3 different trainers try to work with her individually; they tried all sort of things like hot dog meat.
She was at the vet this week and is healthy, other than some plaque on her teeth.
I'm pretty sure she must have been in a cage before I got her, she didn't know how to act on grass or in the house. But she's had 2 years to adjust so should be over that by now.
She doesn't like to be petted or snuggled, if I pet her or rub her back she stays very still until I finish then jumps up and runs off; she never makes a sound (bark, whine, growl).
This is my only companion and she's really not.
Cant you go to a regular park if children are her thing that could be the reward. Just be carful that the children don't hurt her. My hound wont play with toys never has.
Why not add a dog to the family why get rid of her. Maybe having another dog in the house might change things for the better or at least give you the attention you need.
She sounds like her first 6 months were severely lacking in socialization. Like human children, dogs sort of have to "learn to be a dog" within a certain timeframe of their development. If you deprive a young social animal of the social interaction it needs in order for its brain to develop... There comes a time when their ability to learn those "normal behaviours" just sort of... Expires.

In spite of this, you don't realize how lucky you have it. Don't like a dog that isn't interested in dogs or humans? Most dogs in her circumstances would be outright aggressive towards others. A lot of behavioural problems can be boiled down to inadequate socialization.

If kids are truly the only think that she gets excited about, why not play to her strengths? She sounds like she would thrive doing therapy work with children. Maybe reading with them or something.
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Frankly, all she does at home is lie there, she's not a companion, she's a fixture. This is not what I wanted from a dog and am thinking of getting rid of her and finding a real dog.

Any suggestions?
Just because she doesn't live up to your expectations doesn't mean she wouldn't make a good companion for someone more suitable. I suggest you find a new home for her perhaps with an older person who doesn't want a lively noisy dog and maybe has visiting grandchildren.
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What types of toys have you tried? A lot of little dogs I know like soft squeaky toys. There are some toys that make really weird noises that make dogs more interested- Mia has a cow toy that moos that always freaks her and Delilah out. Delilah likes cat toys- she loves to "kill" things with feathers.
I have a Yorkie mix who does not behave like a dog. I got her 2 years ago at 6 months. Her distant, non-engaging behavior has always been there and nothing I have done has changed it.
We go to the dog park 3 or 4 days a week. She does not go up to other dogs, she will not run with them or chase them. If one tries to engage her, she ignores them until they lose interest and find a better playmate.
as long she's healthy there nothing wrong with a dog that is not so socialble, not every dog is a social butterfly. they're still dogs.

Not once has she chased a ball; if one is thrown she barely glances at it. Toys of any type do not interest her.
toys are actually not natural for a dog, so not being interested with toys, especially, when they're adult is not that rare.
doesn't make them less of a dog.

The only interaction she gets excited about is small children. But since I don't have any and they aren't allowed at the dog park, that is only on rare occasions.
this sounds like a good dog. being people oriented is awesome. perhaps when you have the possibility to see how the children she likes act around her, you know what kind of behaviour make her excited. you can play with this way.
She comes when called and stays. Heel isn't necessary because she always walks on my left side without running off, most of the time a leash isn't necessary. But these behaviors aren't anything she learned in class. I have taken her for training with 3 different trainers and they've tried to get her to fetch and other actions that would lead to playing. Problem is, she doesn't want treats, so there is no way to entice or reward behavior.
this sounds like a great dog. a real dog. that just wants to be with his human. Dogs are not robots. they have personality and your dog is obviously a very nice, well-behaved young dog lady that like to interact with humans, but finds toys and treats boring....or the toys and treats were just the wrong ones. I yet have to meet a dog that isn't interested food at all...You sure she wasn't just full? feeding her by hand over the day for work and not from a food bowl can help. human food (in small doses) is loved by our dogs. sancho likes cooked potatoe, cheese, sausage, bread...if the pieces are wery small it isn't that bad for them, I just want it to work and not be totally poisonous.
did you try playing with her without a toy? some dogs like (controlled!) scuffling with their owner for example.
Frankly, all she does at home is lie there, she's not a companion, she's a fixture. This is not what I wanted from a dog and am thinking of getting rid of her and finding a real dog.
lying around and at home and accompany a human is wat a companion dog usually does. there's nowhere written in the job description that they have to love playing fetch.
having a ball junkie as a dog is just sad for the dog anyway.

Any suggestions?
delete these hollywood dreams of a "real dog" from your mind and look at your real dog.
it sounds like she's a calm, obedient dog, that is not obsessive about stuff, likes people and children and is not interested in strangers training her, just because they wave with some random dry treat.
This sounds like a genuinely awesome dog.
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We get the dog we need, not the dog we want.

If you do decide to get rid of her, do not get another dog. They'll end up not being perfect, too, because no one is perfect and then they'll find themselves in a shelter, too.
I have a Yorkie mix who does not behave like a dog. I got her 2 years ago at 6 months. Her distant, non-engaging behavior has always been there and nothing I have done has changed it.

We go to the dog park 3 or 4 days a week. She does not go up to other dogs, she will not run with them or chase them. If one tries to engage her, she ignores them until they lose interest and find a better playmate.

Not once has she chased a ball; if one is thrown she barely glances at it. Toys of any type do not interest her.

The only interaction she gets excited about is small children. But since I don't have any and they aren't allowed at the dog park, that is only on rare occasions.

She comes when called and stays. Heel isn't necessary because she always walks on my left side without running off, most of the time a leash isn't necessary. But these behaviors aren't anything she learned in class. I have taken her for training with 3 different trainers and they've tried to get her to fetch and other actions that would lead to playing. Problem is, she doesn't want treats, so there is no way to entice or reward behavior.

Frankly, all she does at home is lie there, she's not a companion, she's a fixture. This is not what I wanted from a dog and am thinking of getting rid of her and finding a real dog.

Any suggestions?
So I am dogsitting a dog. Same thing. Doesnt act like a dog. Follows me from room to room. Doesnt bark or play and barely wags his tail. 3 or 4 and sleeps alot. Hates his dogfood so they told me to give him people food. Doesnt like hugs, feet even kisses. My daughter says he is broken. I believe her. He doesnt wven beg at the door but get excited to go potty when we ask him to go to out. Then stands there, pees then goes in. I believe he is truly broken. This isnt a dog. This is a broken dog. I dont understand why.
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She sounds like her first 6 months were severely lacking in socialization. Like human children, dogs sort of have to "learn to be a dog" within a certain timeframe of their development. If you deprive a young social animal of the social interaction it needs in order for its brain to develop... There comes a time when their ability to learn those "normal behaviours" just sort of... Expires.

In spite of this, you don't realize how lucky you have it. Don't like a dog that isn't interested in dogs or humans? Most dogs in her circumstances would be outright aggressive towards others. A lot of behavioural problems can be boiled down to inadequate socialization.

If kids are truly the only think that she gets excited about, why not play to her strengths? She sounds like she would thrive doing therapy work with children. Maybe reading with them or something.
I have a Yorkie mix who does not behave like a dog. I got her 2 years ago at 6 months. Her distant, non-engaging behavior has always been there and nothing I have done has changed it.

We go to the dog park 3 or 4 days a week. She does not go up to other dogs, she will not run with them or chase them. If one tries to engage her, she ignores them until they lose interest and find a better playmate.

Not once has she chased a ball; if one is thrown she barely glances at it. Toys of any type do not interest her.

The only interaction she gets excited about is small children. But since I don't have any and they aren't allowed at the dog park, that is only on rare occasions.

She comes when called and stays. Heel isn't necessary because she always walks on my left side without running off, most of the time a leash isn't necessary. But these behaviors aren't anything she learned in class. I have taken her for training with 3 different trainers and they've tried to get her to fetch and other actions that would lead to playing. Problem is, she doesn't want treats, so there is no way to entice or reward behavior.

Frankly, all she does at home is lie there, she's not a companion, she's a fixture. This is not what I wanted from a dog and am thinking of getting rid of her and finding a real dog.

Any suggestions?
How did things turn out with your little dog?
So I am dogsitting a dog. Same thing. Doesnt act like a dog. Follows me from room to room. Doesnt bark or play and barely wags his tail. 3 or 4 and sleeps alot. Hates his dogfood so they told me to give him people food. Doesnt like hugs, feet even kisses. My daughter says he is broken. I believe her. He doesnt wven beg at the door but get excited to go potty when we ask him to go to out. Then stands there, pees then goes in. I believe he is truly broken. This isnt a dog. This is a broken dog. I dont understand why.
As you are only dogsitting, it probably isn't a major issue but I'd guess he is quite anxious and a bit shut down. How long is he going to be with you?
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