He won't play with toys outside

[Locke]

Smiley LOVES tug and fetch in our home, but outdoors, it's a struggle to get him to engage in either.

I think he's a tiny bit distracted by all the good smells, but even when I have his full attention and he is engaged with me, he does not want to play with the toy.

I want to start our disc foundations, but he won't engage with the disc at all...what do I do??



And a picture for good measure

 

[Catsi]

Oh my, Smiley is gorgeous!! is he a mini poodle?

Mmm, I'm not entirely sure i can give any good advice, but what about transitioning slowly by using an undercover outdoor area? Similar smells but no grass/dirt to contend with?

Also, is he very food motivated? Maybe reward massively for interaction with tug with food?

Not sure how you are playing, but some extra excitement ie ridiculous, over the top behaviour may be in order?

Edit - more pictures, please?!!!

 

[yv0nne]

http://copperchaos.wordpress.com/2013/11/21/tug-drive/

That's how I built Penn's tug drive.. Not sure if it helpful or not?

 

[DJEtzel]

What are you doing with the disc to try to get him engaged? Have you tried frisbee rollers?

 

[Locke]

Oh my, Smiley is gorgeous!! is he a mini poodle?

Mmm, I'm not entirely sure i can give any good advice, but what about transitioning slowly by using an undercover outdoor area? Similar smells but no grass/dirt to contend with?

Also, is he very food motivated? Maybe reward massively for interaction with tug with food?

Not sure how you are playing, but some extra excitement ie ridiculous, over the top behaviour may be in order?

Edit - more pictures, please?!!!

He likes food rewards, and I have tried rewarding him for playing tug/fetch with me outside, but he then focuses on the food and stops playing entirely. I do try to get him riled up and I'll run around and play with the toy, and that does get his interest for a short bit, but then he loses interest and it's hard to get him to play again.

I'll post some more pics soon!

http://copperchaos.wordpress.com/2013/11/21/tug-drive/

That's how I built Penn's tug drive.. Not sure if it helpful or not?

He's a tug fiend! But ONLY inside. He will fetch and tug forever...go outside and nothing. Maybe one or two fetches and a bit of tugging if I'm lucky.

Thanks for the link. I'll give it a read.

What are you doing with the disc to try to get him engaged? Have you tried frisbee rollers?

I haven't tried disc outside yet. Just rollers indoors. He can't catch things (he just let's treats/stuffies/tugs) hit him in the face. He's a smart dog, but was never taught/possibly discouraged to catch anything in his previous home.

He also has NO interest in balls. Not even inside.

He loves running around and being silly outside but he always has to involve me in some way...I've never had a dog like him.

 

[Linds]

I would try rollers like DJEtzel said, those seem to be the best way to get dogs who are distracted and uninterested in disc chasing them in my classes.

Make them as interesting as possible, run away from him to get his attention and as soon as he's looking do a roller in the direction that he's running. Praise like crazy and throw a party if he goes after and only do one or two and then stop BEFORE he looses interest.

Keeping it short and sweet is a big part. You don't want to go till he stops, even if he stops only after 30 seconds