I've recently got a 3 year old Dachshund. She's really lively outside and is still warming up to us. One thing we have noticed is that she won't play. We have had this before with another Dachshund we got from a breeder years a go - this one just didn't seem to know how to plan (it took a very long time for her to understand how to chew a bone). I was wondering if there was anyway to encourage playing with the new dachshund. This is so she can entertain her self.

The new Dachshund came to us as she was in a home with 2 other dogs and got bullied by the dominant female. She is patchy in fur and has an upset tummy but this is most likely due to stress in her old home.

She may be enough traumatized that she will never play, or she may with enough time and love.
She needs to know that whoever is with her, preferably sitting on the floor or ground so she can climb around and on you for contact, is not going to beat her up. That's much more important than whether she engages in 'play.' Don't be anxious about rushing any of this. All my pets have come from homes with something that went on that wasn't ideal, and each animal brought a different personality to my home.

Agree with my colleague, Joypulv. The only thing I would add is that I have had dogs that simply were not interested in "playing." I have no idea why. My GSD LOVES her squeak toys but if anyone tries to participate in the game with her she watches but backs off. She LOVES it when she and my other dog chase and tug and wrestle around but stops when a person gets involved.

She isn't hand shy, loves to be combed, petted - just won't play, never has. She WILL play catch with great enthusiasm, though.

I have no idea why - she was a rescue but she was very young when I got her.

Ah okay. This is a shame, we miss playing with our dogs as the very first one we got was lovely and playful. Still, this new one seems normally shy considering and is doing well in general anyway. I don't think she likes men very much but hopefully she'll warm up. How lovely little dachshunds are :)

I have one here who will chase a ball for hours and play fetch all day.

I have another who will take toys and 'mother' them and just hold onto them.

I have another who really does not care for toys at all.

It is just different personalities.

How long have you had her for? DO you make sure she has plenty of time away from the other dogs during the day?