My unplayful Doberman, Juliet

[Tommi-Lynette]

Juliet is 1 1/2 and she doesn't play at all with me. I have taken her to many classes and tried to get her to do right because at first, she didn't listen or want to do anything with anyone. She has started listening to me, but she still doesn't play at all, but with other dogs! I've tried playing with different types of toys and getting her excited, but nothing helps. I want to play to, but I don't know what to do.

[Jessica]

My dog Saumi never ever plays and Zed plays once every blue moon, the one time he did he bit my arm and actually broke the skin. I wish they would play more.

[Tommi-Lynette]

My doberman doesn't play with me at all. Kione, my friends dog, didn't play at all with other dogs, but she was healthy. I started taking Juliet over and adding toys to the mix made them happy. I also take Juliet to the park, just so she can run and play by herself, she seems almost happier that way.

[Dr. Jennifer Sobie]

I'm thrilled that you are working so hard to help Juliet! Some dogs, and this often includes Doberman Pinschers, simply don't like to play that much with people. Some are a bit intimidated by us and try to be polite, and others don't really like to play with toys. Watch Juliet as she is playing with other dogs. Does she use toys such as tug ropes and such, or is she simply running and jumping, etc? It could be that she likes activity, but not toy play. Most Dobermans love to have their owners teach them things, so Juliet might like it better if you teach her tricks rather than play. You can use bits of food she loves--try cheese cubes--as rewards.

Jennifer

[Tommi-Lynette]

Thank you and I will. I do enjoy watching her run and have fun, so as long as she is happy, I am happy! Do you think I should get her a playmate instead of trying to always find someone with a nice dog?

[Jo]

Hi Juliet, and welcome to the wonderful world of Dobies. I've had a few myself and love the breed for their intelligence, courage and boundless love. This breed just lives to be by your side and will adore you as a leader....not a playmate. Have you tried throwing a ball or large stick for her? Dobes by nature have a pretty strong prey drive and love the chase/retrieve. And it's great exercise. I suggest you go online to research the breed if you can (Google) or get a book on dobies. Dog owners need to understand the breed they choose to own in order to avoid having unrealistic expectations of their dog(s). Best always..........Jo, Safe Haven Farm

[Tommi-Lynette]

Hi and thank you for your response. Yes, I have tried throwing the ball, all kinds of toys for her. I have taken her to many classes so we could get a better understanding of each other, but the director of the classes, all dropped us, saying that they couldn't help. When I threw the toys, she would just look at them, but when another dog would go after the toy, she would run behind the dog and look at them. My first doberman, Romeo, was her playmate, and I realized that she only plays biting and rough housing for play. When a person comes around, she only want him/her to rub her. I've have had dobermans before and I realized a long time ago that they are all different, but this is the only one that I've no understanding of. I love her and we get along well with everything. I just hate to look into her loving eyes and not know what she wants from me! She would just sit in front of me waiting on me to do something, but what?

[Jo]

Yup, I know that look. If only they could talk, right? Whenever I got that look it either meant "I need to go outside" or "I need some attention please." All you can do is try different things and thru trial and error your dobie will let you know when you've hit the mark. Try to observe the body language to see the response to your moves. It's a language all its own.