Playing tug

[wiser]

just wondering what people think about playing tug with your dog. Should you always be the one who wins and gets the toy from the dog or should you let the dog win sometimes as well? Will the dog winning give them the idea that they are "alpha" . I've been thru the search function but havent really been able to find any solid info on this topic which ive been wondering about for some time now
thanks in advance
Kyle

[dogsbydoug]

We play tug with the dogs all the time - but we start and end the game.

Teeth on skin and game is over...no exceptions.

[GypsysMom]

Originally Posted by dogsbydoug

We play tug with the dogs all the time - but we start and end the game.

Teeth on skin and game is over...no exceptions.

That is how we play as well, actually with any game we play with the dogs we start it and end it even fetch, Gypsy tries to bring me her fetch toys and drop them on my lap, but I will not start playing until Im ready..

[Lola B Marie]

I play tug with Lola all the time. She has a ball with a rope attached. She growls while we play which is allowed. I reel her in like a shark. I can drag her around the house she won't let go. When I say release, the game is over. She drops the ball. Then we start again. Oh yes, did I mention, My shoulders are shot, she weighs 115lbs.

[Marcino]

We play tug lot's too. I sometimes let my boy win (I drop my end and then chase him around a little to get hold of the hope again)... however I am the one who starts the game and ends the game. During play I give him the "drop" command every so often and reward him.

[debbiej]

I've read alot about rotties and tug. not a good game, etc. I could be oblivious, but in my experience, I have never felt a game of tug led to anything but a good time and a happy, panting dog. Boris used to have some guarding issues, and even then, he was never bossy about tug games.

that is just my experience with my dogs though.

[wiser]

hey everyone, thanks for all the quick reply's.. my girl is only 4 months old right now so ive yet to run into the aching shoulder problem although im sure it will happen sooner or later.... so from what ive read letting her win once and a while is ok as long as i start and finish the game...
sounds good to me
thanks again,
Kyle

[Hmbbzmom]

Tug with a rottweiler!!!! Are you joking!! Mine are crazy:} Even a simple game can turn into me on the ground laughing histerically and Bentley, my 130lb male licking all my makeup off while Baylee growls at him wondering what he is doing to her mom.

[Jhum2001]

I play tug with Lennox to break up training excercises & keep it fun and interesting. I use the tug with handles, let him get good bite, win it, then if he loosens I give pull so he corrects, then we play tug. Its a great reward for him when he performs correctly and also if he's not that interested at the moment. This carries over to the house as he believes we can have the same fun game with my socks!