drive from food to toy/tug - Page 2

 You did not mention how they were introduced to the toy by the person, and I am thinking tug on a line. I do think that bark collars can make a dog fizz out, because they want to bark and maybe (MAYBE) they see playing and barking as what the collars DOES NOT ALLOW them to do. 

I know that I am not offering suggestions, but am trying to get to the root of the problem. Oooops. Sorry.

I would back tie the dogs to a chain link fence and use a tug on a line to see if you can get them to play. You do not have to move around that much, so the knee should be safe. I have worked with dogs like this and I talk non stop to them. If they seem freaked out by being tied, I go over and sit down and pet them, and I back up and just tie them out and let them deal with that for a few days or whatever they need.

I will keep them crated and take them out to do their potty breaks on a leash. The only time that they get to play is on the back tie. If I have a LOT of problems, then I have tied dogs to sleds like in weight pulling and let them get used to pulling stuff around to get food. It all depends on where the dog is at, and are they comfortable with pulling and what not. If they have any prey drive, and have no problems with pulling or being on the back tie, you might be able to get them to be ok being dogs again. 

Hello there!
I had a foster GSD who was very smart and with a lot of drive, especially working for food. I was surprised since he was from American lines.
Anyways, when it was training session, he would not have one bit of interest in toys. Even when we were just playing he would not play with toys. I set up an agility course at home which he loved but when it came to toys, no way would he play with them!
What I did was train him with a clicker when I got him. I know many people hate this and find it sissy but we overcame fear aggression as well as many other problems. When I clicked, it always insured a reward. What I first started to do was put something that really motivated him, and this was peanut butter. He would do anything for peanut butter. So I soaked it in a toy..a regular tug toy. As soon as he would put his nose ready to bite it I clicked before he did because he went for the toy and that was his reward. We did this a few times, and then I would make it more motivating by moving the toy around as I knew he really wanted it. This became extremely fun for him and he is now nutzo for tugging as well as chasing. The main thing here is that you know your dog. No one way will be for every dog. Sometimes you have to become super creative. and take things slow. Good luck.

That was my little sister with him.