Hi, I hope people with rescue experience can lend me their brains for a minute. We've had Morse since March 30th 2003 and noticed he only played tug games with people. Tried teaching him to play with a soft toy by buzzing it about or dragging it on a rope end and got as far as Bring teddy in the house or our tiny garden. Outside its Catweazle time - nothing works, he'd rather play with other dogs or sniff about and pursue birds - this is discouraged now. Outside we do training and running off lead and we need to sharpen up recall from other dogs. I've also tried the competition idea using local playful dogs to stimulate interest and found Morse chased the dogs while they tore after the ball, frisbee etc I'm considering taking him to Petcity and seeing if we can try em out but he is interested for a couple of times then loses it. We don't leave toys lying about.

try food treat toys or smere food onto the toys and if you show him your having fun playing with them and he should join in

I have seen success by using a sock stuffed with titbits....
wiggle it about to get the dogs attention.then as soon as the dog picks up the sock, open it and give it a bit! they get used to picking up things then. you can progress to soft toys and squeakies.

Thanks that's a great suggestion as he really loves sweaty socks.