Rescued pug

[mle22]

We have recently got a rescue pug. He is 7 and was rescued from a puppy farm. He has now been neutered. He’s a really friendly, loving little dog but it is obvious that he doesn’t know much about life in general. He was scared of the tv when we turned it on, didn’t understand stairs, but mostly what I’m wondering about is that he has no concept of running about and playing. When I take him into the garden he stays glued to my side and has no concept of playing with a toy or a ball. Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to how to encourage him to be more ‘doggy’. I’d like him to learn how to enjoy himself.

 

[bonny]

We have recently got a rescue pug. He is 7 and was rescued from a puppy farm. He has now been neutered. He’s a really friendly, loving little dog but it is obvious that he doesn’t know much about life in general. He was scared of the tv when we turned it on, didn’t understand stairs, but mostly what I’m wondering about is that he has no concept of running about and playing. When I take him into the garden he stays glued to my side and has no concept of playing with a toy or a ball. Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to how to encourage him to be more ‘doggy’. I’d like him to learn how to enjoy himself.

I would imagine time is what will help ….have you got another dog for him to learn from or if not I would try and find some doggy friends for him.

 

[AmyMay]

Time, time and more time. He’ll most likely have been in a kennel with no enrichment for his whole life.

 

[Cortez]

Poor little guy, it's all ahead of him and only going to get better. Do you know anyone with a gentle, playful dog? I have a little rescue dog (he's 10) that doesn't really know how to play, it's very endearing watching him trying to learn from a very boisterous and much larger puppy. He's getting the hang of it slowly.

 

[Clodagh]

I’ve had Red (puppy farm bitch) over a year now and she doesn’t really play still, in spite of living with four other playful dogs. If I encourage her to she gets more shut down. She will do zoomies by herself and occasionally play with my young male dog, but they are much newer things. I’d let him just find his feet at his own pace. It is much harder for them as only dogs, but you may have another?

 

[mle22]

We lost our previous dog about 6 months ago so no other dogs in the house, but my daughter brings her dog to visit and he is playful without being too boisterous, so they can have play dates! I’ll just give him the time he needs. Awful to think of the lives these puppy farm dogs lead. I suppose I had always thought about the poor bitches and not about the male dogs.

 

[Clodagh]

We lost our previous dog about 6 months ago so no other dogs in the house, but my daughter brings her dog to visit and he is playful without being too boisterous, so they can have play dates! I’ll just give him the time he needs. Awful to think of the lives these puppy farm dogs lead. I suppose I had always thought about the poor bitches and not about the male dogs.

It’s despicable and yes I’d just accept it will take him a while to learn what happy is. He might never be playful, but you know he’s having his best chance. Well done for taking him on.

 

[gallopingby]

Sometimes they learn to play and enjoy it others don’t seem interested. One of mine took about three years but now loves to play she’s especially fond of shoes, but also likes squeaky toys. The other has never really shown much interest in anything except food!! She’s finally housetrained but was very slow on the uptake. Sometimes a selection of different toys will help, you need to try a variety of different textures and sizes to see if any are more attractive.

 

[skinnydipper]

We have recently got a rescue pug. He is 7 and was rescued from a puppy farm. He has now been neutered. He’s a really friendly, loving little dog but it is obvious that he doesn’t know much about life in general. He was scared of the tv when we turned it on, didn’t understand stairs, but mostly what I’m wondering about is that he has no concept of running about and playing. When I take him into the garden he stays glued to my side and has no concept of playing with a toy or a ball. Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to how to encourage him to be more ‘doggy’. I’d like him to learn how to enjoy himself.

Have you tried to get him to play with you rather than with a toy? Mock play bow, run around, laugh, act like you are having fun, invite him to chase you, then when he does you pretend to chase him. (yes, I'm nuts but it works with the big girl)

 

[ArklePig]

Congrats on your new addition!!

I was just about to say the same as SD. A friend of mine used this strategy with her rescue collie and then gradually introduced toys. He might never be a playful dog but as long as he's getting enrichment in other forms then he'll be okay. But it's early days yet.

My dog is half springer and when we first got her we were shocked she had no interest in balls, that didn't last long, she was just a bit shut down. I imagine once he settles more and feels safe he might realise playing is fun.

Can we see a pic of the lucky boy?

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

Our lab was rehomed by us from a very good and reputable show breeder and we were so sad that she had little or no concept of toys or how to play she wasn't even taught or allowed to sit apparently, (only show position stance at all times). Even trying to play fetch with a frisbee or ball just left the poor dog standing there looking stunning but totally bewildered.

We decided she was probably also missing the company of her companions at the breeders so purely by luck, we managed to re-home another working strain lab(failed recall and a dedicated runner, just our luck!) Of the same age.

It worked. From initially being extremely wary of this hyperactive ball of playful lighting, she slowly over the months learned what toys were all about, especially the squeaky ones, catch me if you can, zoomies around each other with a few hurly burly crashing each other to the ground etc. Etc. If the other one is asleep she will often grab a toy and leap on top of her playmate to goad her into a tug of war.

Oh and she can now happily sit looking like an overgrown lump of a puppy, but better and far more relaxed than all that ridiculous stand at attention lark.

I appreciate that it is not always practical to have a second dog, but we have always at at least two previously so for us it was a no brainer. Failing that maybe a few playdates at a decent dog day centre might help.

 

[CrunchieBoi]

We've had a few like this over the years. Don't be afraid to be daft, play with the toys yourself, and show the wee man how much fun it is to toss things around and chase them.

It's a bloody sin that with all of the info available at the touch of a button people are still being taken for fools by the scum that run these bloody puppy mill operations.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Our lab was rehomed by us from a very good and reputable show breeder and we were so sad that she had little or no concept of toys or how to play she wasn't even taught or allowed to sit apparently, (only show position stance at all times). Even trying to play fetch with a frisbee or ball just left the poor dog standing there looking stunning but totally bewildered.

We decided she was probably also missing the company of her companions at the breeders so purely by luck, we managed to re-home another working strain lab(failed recall and a dedicated runner, just our luck!) Of the same age.

It worked. From initially being extremely wary of this hyperactive ball of playful lighting, she slowly over the months learned what toys were all about, especially the squeaky ones, catch me if you can, zoomies around each other with a few hurly burly crashing each other to the ground etc. Etc. If the other one is asleep she will often grab a toy and leap on top of her playmate to goad her into a tug of war.

Oh and she can now happily sit looking like an overgrown lump of a puppy, but better and far more relaxed than all that ridiculous stand at attention lark.

I appreciate that it is not always practical to have a second dog, but we have always at at least two previously so for us it was a no brainer. Failing that maybe a few playdates at a decent dog day centre might help.

I always think that it is better to rehome a dog in a household where there is already at least one resident dog to show the newbie how to go on. However OP dies have access to another family member's dog, so that might work, so long as the 'playdates' are frequent.
Daycare Dog is an only dog, bought as a pup, and comes to us whenever her owner can't work from home. That is the perfect set up for her, she plays with our youngster, does as the older ones tell her and is the centre of attention at home. OP's dog will probably enjoy a similar consistent arrangement when he has had time to settle into his new situation.

 

[Esmae]

It just takes time. Don't worry about it and praise him like mad when he initiates things, if he does. He needs to learn to trust you and where he is and that can take some time. Oh and I am really cross that you haven't posted a picture of the little chap. I do love a pug. Good luck with him.

 

[mle22]

Managed to induce some zoomies this morning!

 

[Esmae]

View attachment 117949
Managed to induce some zoomies this morning!

Aawww.....how gorgeous is he? What a little charmer. Edible.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Oh, he's lovely. I've always had a soft spot for pugs.

He doesn't look as brachy as many modern pugs to me, either? A nice stamp. Best of luck with him.

 

[SashaBabe]

He's gorgeous. What's his name?

 

[mle22]

We were told his name was Oscar - but nobody seemed to have told him lol. We have stuck with it and after a week he’s responding to it.

 

[lizziebell]

As others have said, it will take time for him to gain trust and confidence. Have a look at “Scentwork” classes - it’s a brilliant activity for building a dogs self esteem.

 

[Cortez]

Oh he's gorgeous; I really love pugs but have banned myself from having one because of the basic "wrongness" of creating such suffering. A rescue, however......I would allow that

 

[Bellasophia]

He looks a beautiful little soul.
A year ago I took in my 5 yr old ex showgirl mini schnauzer..she also does not know how to play,but ohh how she knows she is loved now for who she is.
Her st poodle side kick runs to fetch the thrown toys whilst she watches.
She enjoys walks thrice daily,but will sit down to be anonymous when approached by a new dog.I say she’s taking in this new world.
I don’t believe I can change who she is,but am thrilled she shows joy to sleep on my bed,cuddle on the sofa,be included in all our outings..
Both the pug and mini schnauzer are companion breeds..I’d let him excel at that and rejoice he is with you.
Ive a soft spot for these dogs,Oscar is very lovely.

 

[misst]

He'll be fine. He will almost certainly come out of his shell eventually but the main thing is you are giving him every opportunity to be the dog he wants to be (when he realises he has a choice). Our old rehome girl had lived in one room with her elderly owner for 2 years only being taken on the lead to the garden for toilet breaks. When he died she was so shut down. She was beautifully behaved but had forgotten how to be a dog. We had an old JRT and they sort of rubbed along together nicely for ages but no real interaction. Then one day old girl went into the garden looked around and did an enormous bark. She had never made a sound before and she shocked the life out of me! She then spent the morning running laps of the garden stopping at the same point every time to give a loud woof! The joy on her face was wonderful. That was her turning point and from then she got onto furniture, barked and played with our other dog at times. She jumped onto our bed every morning, and even started looking hopeful around human food . It took a full 6 months to get her to that first step. Your boy will get there just give him time.

 

[Esmae]

He'll be fine. He will almost certainly come out of his shell eventually but the main thing is you are giving him every opportunity to be the dog he wants to be (when he realises he has a choice). Our old rehome girl had lived in one room with her elderly owner for 2 years only being taken on the lead to the garden for toilet breaks. When he died she was so shut down. She was beautifully behaved but had forgotten how to be a dog. We had an old JRT and they sort of rubbed along together nicely for ages but no real interaction. Then one day old girl went into the garden looked around and did an enormous bark. She had never made a sound before and she shocked the life out of me! She then spent the morning running laps of the garden stopping at the same point every time to give a loud woof! The joy on her face was wonderful. That was her turning point and from then she got onto furniture, barked and played with our other dog at times. She jumped onto our bed every morning, and even started looking hopeful around human food . It took a full 6 months to get her to that first step. Your boy will get there just give him time.

That is the most wonderful story. How absolutely lovely. I would have burst into tears with joy to see that.

 

[Goldenstar]

lucky little chap hes very cute

 

[babymare]

What a turnaround in his life. One moment in a puppy farm with no interaction and the conditions we all know of puppy farms. And the next in a kind loving home being shown affection but oh so many noises smells and things. His cute little head will be processing all this. Time is a great healer and in time he will show his own little personality.

 

[oldandgold]

I would probably treat him in a way like you would a pup - every experience is new and perhaps scary, but time, patience and tlc will be your friend. Oscar's new life has already started with you and hopefully the only way is up. Give him a cuddle from me

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Time and try different toys. Goose is bewildered by the bubbles, Mitch loves them. Mitch loves trying to catch flies, Goose doesn’t see the attraction. Different personalities, different interests, just like humans!

 

[mle22]

He’s like a sticky plaster lol

 

[Bellasophia]

Just found two little boxes I did many years ago..male and female pugs…had to share on this post..the tiger’s eyes are a revamp Im doing ,to add inside the lids of the boxes.