My dog won't play with toys. How can I get him interested in playing?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is very dependent on the dogs in terms of how much they enjoy playing with toys. Some dogs just do not enjoy that and will not play with them as much. You can try to get other toys to see if Ginger becomes interested but ultimately she may decide to not use them and that is not necessarily an issue. Have a good night!

Some dogs don't enjoy playing with toys, or may not have learned to play at all. You mentioned he was a rescue, which if he was kept in a shelter too long or didn't have much interaction with toys previously may have stopped him from learning. If he enjoys treats and chew bones, you can try hiding those inside toys to get him to start interacting. If he likes other objects such as sticks or a bone to play fetch, then using that is just fine. As long as he is happy, you are happy and he's getting plenty of exercise and play time, then it's not really a requirement to play with a toy.

Some dogs are so trained with treats that they will not do them without knowing they are going to get one. You can also try it with a piece of kibble in hand so that way he isn't getting anything extra. Some dogs do not play with toys. I would recommend just letting him enjoy the ball that he loves. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Sometimes dog just like their old worn out toys, just like with kids. If he doesn't want to play with the new one and only wants the old one then let him play with the one he likes. The only reason I would take it away is if it will harm him. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Not all dogs will play with their toys. Some dogs are just not interested in them. I would recommend taking some extra time out of your day to get some play time or extra walks in since Buddy isn't interested in his toys. I would be careful with him chewing blankets. My concern would be him eating a piece of one and he can become obstructed with a foreign body if that happens. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Some dogs just don't care for toys, and this is ok! You could try puzzle toys where you put treats or dog food inside and they have to figure out how to get the food out. This is great mental stimulation and can provide some exercise. I do not recommend leaving soft toys or rawhide at home while you are gone just in case your dog decides to pull it apart or swallow large pieces - these can be a choking hazard. There are lots of options here: https://www.drsfostersmith.com/dog-supplies/dog-toys/interactive-and-treat-toys/ps/c/3307/3/3287

It could be either situation - some dogs are simply not that interested in toys or in playing, similar to how some dogs are not big chewers or don't particularly love to go on walks. It's also possible that she wasn't exposed to toys and never 'learned' how to play. You could focus on other ways to interact with her - perhaps she would excel at simple obedience training, or she may like snuggling under a blanket with you.