I am working with a 2 year old Australian Shepherd (Taffy) which was rescued from a puppy mill. She's made great progress but still doesn't know how to do normal "dog things" like chase a ball or go outside on her own.

Does anyone have any experience in this area? I am particularly interested in learning some techniques to bring her out of her withdrawn personality and to teach her to be more active and to play. Right now, all she does is lie in her spot. It's as if she's still in a crate, but she isn't.

As I said, she's made a lot of progress in the sense that she will go with me and follow me if I ask her to, but if you roll a ball to her or throw a ball, she ignores it. I need some tips on how to get her interested in such things and to bring her out of her withdrawn, shy state of mind.

hi,
almost one year ago i rescued an ex-breeding standard poodle, when i got her she had never met a woman, never been on a lead, and was literally afraid of every thing even when a light was turned on in the house.
she had some strange stereotypical behaviours such as walking around in circles constantly alway the same size as though this was the size of her kennel and head shacking and bearing her teeth all the time for absolutely no reason.
the main advice i can give you is too establish a clear routine at least to begin with so that the dog learns what it can expect and so will relax in its new enviroment. do not give the dog any praise or draw attention to nervous or abnormal behaviour but plenty for any confidence or behaviour that you want.
my dog began to come out of her shell very quickly and suprised everyone who really thought i had bitten off more than i could chew, however it has taken the year that i have owned her for her to naturally stop showing abnormal behaviors although head shaking is still sometimes a nervous habit.
As for the playing i found that any toy which you can put food inside is a godsend and should get her interested in toys, my girl now plays with a tennis ball on her own and has a fantastic time however as yet she hasnt learnt to play with toys with me, although she is very playful with me in other ways.
i wish you the best of luck, things will definately improve but patience will definately be needed.
consider taking your dog to training classes once she is completely confident with you because this really helped my dog learn to trust new people however if you do consider this make sure your girl is completely ready so as not to shatter new found confidence.
all the best
x

[rayter]

To effectively train your rescue dog, I suggest that you try using sport dog training collars. With the use of this equipment, you can command your dog with ease. It can also help your sport dog understand the necessary things you require him to do without having to yell on your pet. :mrgreen:

[mightymite]

Lord - if "Dog Sport" Collars are shock collars - that is some very risky (and potentially dangerous) advice and if you happen to be selling these products it is highly unethical for you to have posted such a suggestion given the nature of this post. If this dog is fear aggressive, per example a shock collar would certainly put the dog over the edge. There are trainers who feel there is a place for shock collars in dog training - I make no comment one way or the other - but given the nature of this post - you could be pushing someone who has no experience using these devices into using one as a quick fix and winding up having her run to the emergency room with a severe bite or having her have to put her dog down. I am shocked and dismayed that you would choose to reply to her serious concerns in such a flippant manner!

[lil mutt]

one of my dogs also ignores the ball when i try to play with him. But he comes whenever i call him... seems like he wasnt allowed to play in his previous home.

A friend of mine had a rescue, and she taught the dog to play, by sitting close to a wall with her dog on leash with her. Then she tossed a ball gently against the wall, and caught it herself. If the dog showed any interest, she would calmly praise, treat, and play session was done. She did this 2 to 3 times a day, sometimes for only a minute or 2, then just left the ball on the floor for the dog to see. It took a couple of weeks, but her dog, on its own, picked up the ball gave it to my friend, and sat by the wall. My friend threw it, (gently) and didn't retrieve it herself. Her dog looked at the ball, and went and got it herself.

They now are playing fetch outside on nice days, and the dog loves the game.