My 2 yr old GSD used to love to play tug but has now fallen to the way side with it. I know I was the cause of it (lack of tugging) and am trying to get her to play with me again. But she would rather chase small animals or play with my puppy than play with me.  Even if I have the pup put away for a while, I still have a difficult time trying to get her to play with me. What more can I do with her?

I've started working on engagement skills with food the last few days and she is definitely enjoying that, but afterwards when I attempt to play she looks at me like "What are you doing??"   Would switching back to a different toy help (vs using a tug?) And how do I make the switch back to a tug later down the road?

I have the same problem with my 3 year old male Doberman. My female is crazy about playing tug but my male just stares at me like I'm crazy when I try to play with him.  I think I'm going to try to play with him really early before I let him out for his morning run.  I was also thinking about possibly using animal fur/scent.  I'm not sure if it will work but it is worth a try.   

Same with one of my Pits (3 and a half yrs, sisters). I also have the impression she thinks I must be nuts when I'm figeting with  a ball on a string, a tug or any of the other toys I have, also scented and squeaky ones. When  I  tossed a ball, her sister used to run and fetch it. The lazy Pit then got active, lurked for her behind a wall or something and stole  it from her. That was the only situation when she showed.interest. But I don't play with them  any more together.  One of them has to be in her kennel, because it can easily escalate to attacks, for the active one doesn't want to leave the toy to the thief. 

While I can play with all of my other dogs also hide and seek easily. it doesn't work with her, because she doesn't even pick up a toy. .An  instructor told me to try it with a flirt pole. Hopeless. It animates the other 3 a lot. She simply doesn't care.