How to teach an adopted older dog to play

How do you teach a dog to play? I "rescued" him from a breeder 3 months ago. He had been her kennel dog, very nice facility, but never taken out anywhere for 4 years, 9 months. He has rapidly gotten used to people and other dogs and is, in almost all ways, a very calm pleasant dog. He just doesn't know how to play. Roll a ball by him and he just watches it and then turns away. Dog toys mean nothing to him, ignores them. At the dog park, when other dogs are chasing balls, he just sniffs around or walks with me or runs around me (in a very playful manner). Also, doesn't have a clue what to do with a Nylabone.
   

   
Any help would be appreciated.

Hi, I just found this.
   
I had the same situation. I adopted Marlowe (in distorted picture) a yr ago when he was 2 1/2, & he didn't know how to play, either. Now, tho, he's caught on & happily runs abt w/his squeaky toys in his mouth. But, he doesn't chase balls yet, so far, all he's done is start chewing his tennis ball to bits. And he didn't like bones until just recently. We do not chase sticks, because he has very bad memories of Sticks & thinks that they're either clubs or guns aimed at him.
   
Dogs have to learn to play; since your dog didn't learn when yng, he's behind & he'll have to learn it on his own & by observation.
   
Here's what I did:
   
I bought Marlowe a simple $5.00 fuzzy carrot that squeaked & a couple of other things. Then I just left them lying around the room. He pretty much ignored them all for at least 3 months. I'd squeak the toy a bit & put it next to him, so he'd know 1) it makes noise, & 2) it's his. Then, one day, I heard a tentative squeak as he bit down on his carrot. After he was sure he wasn't going to be in trouble for it, the tentative squeaking increased by stages. By Christmas (6 months), he was playing with noisy toys, & when I got him a Skin-eez stuffing-less dog toy, he went happily bonkers.
   
As to your situation:
   
You must be patient. He was raised in a vacuum (& I would NEVER buy a dog from any breeder who locks up their dogs in a pen & doesn't socialize them & teach them to be playful dogs) & hasn't the faintest idea of what a childhood is like.
   
The fact that he's basically playful means that he'll likely catch on eventually, as toys are fun. At this point, he prefers to be arnd you, bec. you're actually PAYING ATTENTION TO HIM, JUST HIM ! & he doesn't want to turn away long enough for you to disappear & leave him alone. That's why he's sticking so close in the dog park.
   
For another kind of socializing, go to the MeetUp site, put in yr zip code & search for local dog meetup groups (you can search by breed and size of dog, if you want), & join. They're sm. groups of dog owners who meet in a back yard or designated park area, for instance. They meet periodically & email you w/upcoming dates. Yr dog meets the same dogs time after time, so he gets used to them. He'll see lots of playing, it'll be a smaller area so he won't be so worried abt losing you. Many times, there's food for the people, & lots of advice if you need it.
   
Buy him 2 or 3 size-specific stuffed squeaking toys. Leave them around, demonstrate what they do, & give them directly to them. Let the concept percolate in his brain.
   
Also buy Kong treat ball (sized for him) & stuff it with treats, so he'll have a reason to fuss with it, thus, the concept of toys.
   
Try several kinds of bones & chewing sticks: Nylabone is only one kind. Try: Hartz Smokey Pork Bones, rawhide strips/sticks/dental treats, Greenies of all kinds, the chews with the nubby sides.
   
You have to be very patient. He's starting from scratch with no example to relate to. That's why the Meetups might be good for him.