Playing tug o war

[Luvs]

Why is it not ok to play tug o war with your dog? I know your not supposed to but why? My husband was talking to me about this last night and I couldn't for the life of me remember why it is not a good idea. It is kinda hard to tell someone not to do something when you can't give them a reason for it. They say the memory is the first thing to go and I am starting to believe them

[catress]

i was told that playing tug of war teaches dominance, in nature they do this for winning dominance with other dogs... if you are going to play tug of war with your dog it is a game you should ALWAYS WIN or they will believe they are dominant over you... it is fun to do i know but not advisable...just advise i was given

[lblax]

Originally posted by catress
i was told that playing tug of war teaches dominance, in nature they do this for winning dominance with other dogs... if you are going to play tug of war with your dog it is a game you should ALWAYS WIN or they will believe they are dominant over you... it is fun to do i know but not advisable...just advise i was given

there is absolutly nothing wrong with playing tug of war it does not teach dominance it builds confidance and drive you let the puppy win if you were to beat your puppy all the time it would bust his spirit..play tug and have fun both you and the puppy you start the game and you end the game when your done. your dog does not decide this and always let the puppy win

[Judi W]

Agreed. If playing tug made the difference between being in charge of your dog or not, you shouldn't own one. People who cannot relate to their dog and manage it are not going to be saved by such a superficial dictum.

[Rott-Wiley]

That is why they sell all those really neat rope like toys to play tug with. They are great for building a pups confidence. Plus they can get a start on a heck of a set of muscles in their neck too.

[cuffnstuff]

I play tug of war with all my dogs, not only does it keep them entertained, but I was also able to teach my young Rott fetch. And depending on the type of rope can also help out with their teeth by flosing them as they play. I've never had a domanance issue with any dog by playing tug with them. :D

[Miabella]

Tug games are a major part of our training program. It gets her revved up, and it also teaches her self-control while in a state of arousal.

This is one of those artificial rules designed to set up an unsure owner as a better leader. I guess they can be helpful if you have no idea how to interact with a dog, but I would suggest that someone for whom benign leadership is not second nature should stick to an easier breed until they build more confidence and understanding in their relationship with dogs.

[catress]

was just passing on information i had been given... did some research check this out

http://www.clickerlessons.com/tug.html

[Luvs]

Thank you for your responses everyone! I am glad to know that I have not been breaking any "rules" by playing tug with Akasha:D I think I must have read that it was not a good idea somewhere, but I have no idea where that might have been.

[moondog]

Luna and I play tug every day! :) It's a great interaction for us and right up there on the popularity scale with "Chase Me", "Pounce" and "Mouse in the Woodpile". :D

[Rott-Wiley]

What is "Mouse in the Woodpile," that's a new one on me ? ? ?

[moondog]

LOL, "Mouse in the Woodpile" in an individual sport as opposed to a group sport, kind of like hide-n-seek. :D It's when there really is a mouse in the woodpile and to win the game, Luna has to snort down the correct gap between the logs which sends the mouse up the fence to run along the top, and her prize is she gets to run after it. :) "Pounce" is when I put a toy on the floor in the middle between me and her and she has to hold her down until I count to 10 and say "GO!", at which time she pounces on it and gets the prize. :) "Chase" needs no explanation other than it goes both ways! :D

[nolove316]

I heard chase was bad cause it teaches your dog to run from you.

Is that true or what?

[moondog]

I imagine that depends on the relationship between you and your dog. Luna is very clear on what is a game and what isn't and we don't play chase where there's any potential of danger for her. I taught her to come when called as a puppy by using a game of chase, only it was me that ran away from her and when she came after me, she was praised and rewarded with play. She has never been chased for a misbehavior, only as a game, because she has never been put in a situation where "catching" her was important for her safety. The game we play now did not happen before she had enough training, maturity and experience to understand the ground rules, i.e. come when called, sit when asked, bring when requested, etc.

We play a good game of chase every morning before I go to work, and she has never failed to come when called, even when faced with temptations, and there have been some pretty good impromptu tests on that. :)

[LavenderRott]

I have found that many dogs can relate the play rules with who they are playing with.

Chase is not a big tug fan, but she loves to rough house with me and my SO. She is allowed to gently put her teeth on me. She is very sure of what she is doing. If my son should step between us, she stops instantly, gives him a kiss, and waits for me to reinitate the game.

My beagle mix loves to play tug and greatly tones down the game if she is playing with my son.