[leslieleeart]

Adopted Shasta two days ago. She is a sweetie but we are at a bit of a loss as to how to play with her. Walks are great and she likes them but she is young and needs playtime. We don't want her "treeing" us but when we invite her to play that's what she wants to do (duh). Any one have suggestions?

[StarfishSaving]

Shasta is a beautiful girl, a purebred TWC.

How is it that you want her to play with you? What are you doing, wrestling, or running around with her, or...? You can't make a dog play in a way they don't want to play, unfortunately...

I recommend a flirt pole with a critter-shaped toy hanging on the end. I've rarely met a working hound that didn't love them! Tires them out but keeps them from chasing you.

Found this img on Flickr to demonstrate:

[organictroll]

Shasta has such a beautiful face!!!!

[leslieleeart]

Thanks for the idea of the flirt pole! I just made one (EZ with a piece of PVC pipe and a rope). Wish I could say it worked. The trick is going to be finding a lure Shasta is sufficiently interested in. The old sock with some salmon inside caught her attention for about 5 sec. then her nose was in the air to catch a different scent and her ears drew her to the fence where she could hear the neighbors. This dog has Attention Deficit Disorder big time. Play toys- like a kong with peanut butter inside, or a rawhide bone is interesting for maybe 5 min. max.
I'll get a floppy animal at goodwill today and maybe some deer scent and we will try again.

[leslieleeart]

Thanks for your help here. The flirt really helped us with Shasta but within 10 days we realized the Invisible Fence we had was never going to contain her and we did not want to tramatize this sweet hound by trying. She went back to her clan where she will be safe and happy until the right people find her.