My Peke never learned how to play as a puppy in the puppy mill he was rescued from. Housemate's pitbull has taught him how to wrestle, but he still hasn't played with any of the dog toys we have. Until today.
One type of toys we have is those "Crazy Critters"--the toys that are basically a floppy form of fur with squeakers: an unstuffed-stuffed dog toy. (Can't give our dogs stuffed toys because the first thing they do is tear them open and gut the things, getting stuffing all over the place.)
Housemate was playing with the other dogs with one of these critters when Londo wandered over and flopped down to watch. She started playing with him and, after a bit, he started watching the toy and then snapped at it, got it in his mouth, and shook it (just like the pitbull does), then got bored and wandered away. After I woke up, I took the toy and he did the same with me.
My dog's finally learning to play!
Him's such a sweetie dog.