Puppy is not playful!

[Ninni]

We brought our 8 week old puppy home yesterday. When we picked her, we were told she was at the bottom of the pecking order amongst her siblings. Her sister was bouncing around, chewing things, playing and ours was demure, didn't want to come out at first and stayed on our lap. She did have a couple of walks around the room and tumbled a bit with her sister but nothing like her sister who was just a lot more confident, cheeky and I suppose what you expect a puppy to be like.

Now back home, she obviously haven't settled in yet and it's early days and is a bit stressed. She seems comfortable enough but she just doesn't do one attempt, or respond to ours, to play. She is not inquisitive at all, she just wants to sit on our lap. She doesn't play bite (which isn't necessarily a bad thing but still) She is just very placid and does not seem interested at all.

Is this normal, will she come out of her shell - or what can we do to encourage her to be a bit more active and playful and confident? If we just keep encourage her to play, will she eventually? We have 3 children so we kind of want her quite lively.

[Markr64]

It is a very stressful time when a puppy leaves its mother and siblings. It does sound like she is a nervous little thing. Give her time and don't pressure her as she might resent this. Before you know it she will be trotting around making you lives a real joy. Then the cockerdile stage will come and oh that can hurt!

Where are my manners, welcome to COL and do try and post a picture as we all love to see the new puppies.

[bizzylizzy]

We introduced Humphrey to only one room at a time when we brought him  home, so he wasn't too overwhelmed. Its very daunting for a little one at first - give her time to  look around in her own time. She's probably just missing her mum and maybe isn't used to a busy household. She'll come round, just let her do it at her own pace.
O'h and yes - pictures pleeeeaase !! 

[Pearly]

Pebbles, blue roan, show type lives next door and was an incredibly calm pup who really didn't interact very much at all as a youngster.  She also didn't become the whirling dervish cockerdile that both Pearl and Coral have been through (still going through in one case.....)

She is now 3.5 years old and other than being a little timid is possibly the sweetest, calmest most loving companion anyone could hope for.

As others have said, let your new girl explore on her own and play on her terms, which (if you are very lucky) may always be calm!  As an aside, dogs that are allowed to "play" with children don't always understand boundaries as they get older - what is acceptable behaviour as a tiny, cute, bundle of fluff may not be so desirable when they are fully grown and just rolled in or eaten something equally as 'delectable' to them 

Photos would be good please! And welcome to COL

Jayne, Pearl and Coral

[daw]

You have to let her play when she's ready- dogs only play when they feel secure, which is why many adult dogs in rescue are 'shut down' and won't react to toys. Also I try to remind the children in our family (and their parents) that to a dog- and especially a puppy- a child is a fast moving, scary giant with a high pitched voice that's painful to puppy ears! 

[JeffD]

Teal was quiet for the first couple of days, be prepared for it all to change 

[Pearly]

Teal was quiet for the first couple of days, be prepared for it all to change 

Shhhhhhhh......they are still at the honeymoon stage 

[bizzylizzy]

 

[MIN]

Be careful what you wish for  Give it a week and you will be on here at your wits end, wearing wellies and knocking back the vino 

Welcome aboard

[Finvarra]

You are being lulled into a false sense of security.................

Lesley and Dylan

[Murphys Law]

Definitely a false state of security. It won't be long until when they do have a quiet spell you start to worry that they might be sick.

[siam]

When we brought Alfie home at 7 weeks he was very subdued for the first 1-2 days but it didn't last and soon he was whizzing around like a typical pup and went through the true cockerdile time daily!! Wait and see! However that said, some pups are just more placid than others but am sure she'll enjoy her fair share of play once she settles in.

[Ninni]

Thank you so much for all friendly and helpful responses! Last night she started to relax a bit more and this morning she is galopping up and down the kitchen with my daughter, biting our socks. Very happy to see her settling in!

Ps can't work out how to add pic

[Mudmagnets]

Thank you so much for all friendly and helpful responses! Last night she started to relax a bit more and this morning she is galopping up and down the kitchen with my daughter, biting our socks. Very happy to see her settling in!

Ps can't work out how to add pic

So glad she is settling - fun and games now. If you go to the photo section of forum, you will see the Help and Advise thread, basically, you have to upload photos on to somewhere like Photobucket and transfer them on to here.

[minimoo]

  sorry but give it 4 weeks and we will see you back on here saying heeelp I think I have a devil puppy , I don't want to spoil the honeymoon period but stick around we are here for you