I have a 3-ish year old beagle I adopted from a shelter in May. I have completely fallen in love with her and I couldn't imagine my life without her. Gabby is the best behaved dog I have ever had. I am having just a slight problem though, she doesn't play with anything! She's loving and is forever ready to cuddle with you, but every toy I have bought her she is not interested in! I suspect that whoever had her never played with her as a pup/ disciplined her too much. She was hand shy when we got her, and she still is somewhat. What can I do to teach my dog to play??? I really want to fool around and play tug of war with her lol. Please, any advice would be appreciated.
Beagles really use their noses alot so maybe if you tried hiding small treats in a toy and slightly hide it so she has to "hunt" it down. That might encourage her to play a little more. By the way, "tug of war" is not a good game to play with dogs. It can become a dominance thing and it's best not to do that.
Good luck.. I've had my beagle mix since he was 5.. and it's the same deal.. he'll cuddle.. he loves attention.. but not into toys at ALL. I've had some luck with the Kong toy.. but he licks the peanut butter (or whatever I fill it with) out and leaves it. One thing I was able to get him to do was rollerblade.. (me on rollerblades not him).. even just long walks in a park or nature preserve will help.. (I recommend one of the extendable leashes, let her sniff to her hearts content.. if she finds a scent, let her follow it as much as possible.. but I never recommend those leashes for walking on or near roads)