Tugging with Your Dog - Safety First when Playing Tug

Tugging with your dog, or playing "tug-of-war", can be an enjoyable and rewarding game for both the dog and the owner. While many people might view it as an activity which promotes aggressive behavior, when played correctly and with the proper rules in place, tugging with your dog can be a safe and fun game.

I grew up with a German Shepherd, Kurt, and even as kids we understood that rough games could be dangerous. What kept us safe was that our dog had been properly trained as a puppy (with the exception of the "heel" command, which he never quite got the hang of). Thorough and proper training at an early age is the key to enjoying a good relationship with your dog. Dogs are like children in that respect; they are happiest and healthiest when they are given rules and boundaries which are consistently adhered to, and when they know exactly what is expected of them.

Tugging is a natural activity among dogs, not only in play, but in establishing the social hierarchy. So, before you begin tugging with your dog, you need to firmly establish your own dominance. Tugging should never become a test of strength or willpower between you and your dog.

The first thing you should do is make sure that your dog will "drop" or release on command. This means the first time! It's a very important command, not only in tugging, but to keep your dog safe from picking up and eating dangerous objects, or items that don't belong to him.

Second, you must always be the one to decide when and where, and with what object, the game will be played. Select a key word or phrase that you will use consistently to initiate the game; "play tug?" would do, as it has one and only one meaning and would not be confused with any other phrase. Discourage children or strangers from using the phrase, or engaging in tugging, until you're sure that your dog is properly trained. Tugging with your dog is best used as a reward for good behavior; you will often see police dogs or service dogs offered a few minutes of tugging as a reward for good performance. Be careful not to use it as a reinforcer for bad behavior; if he refuses to "drop", or does appear to be growing excited or aggressive, end the session immediately.

Another pitfall is the owner who uses multiple or inappropriate items for tugging. The dog may then decide that anything available is OK to use. Your dog needs to know that only certain items are available for playing, and ideally, you are the one with control over them. There are safety issues as well; using an old piece of rope, a child's jump rope, or an old sock can cause damage to the dog's mouth, incite him to go after toys that children are actively playing with, or cause injury by suddenly snapping or breaking mid-tug. Most pet stores carry a variety of tugging toys which are sturdy, non-toxic, and designed specifically for tugging with your dog safely. In addition, they come in different sizes, as a toy designed for a large dog would not work very well for a small one.

Third, another safety issue is the method of tugging. We've all seen those feisty little dogs which will clamp on to a toy and hold on for dear life, even while lifted and twirled in the air; great fun, but dangerous, nonetheless. Even a large dog can suffer injury by having his head or neck jerked repeatedly, especially if the owner is playing from an upright stance. It is far safer for both of you, and mimics natural play, if you get down to his level.

Tugging with your dog can be a lot of fun, and very rewarding, if you keep these few safety rules in mind. Under "resources", I have included a link to a wonderful little web article on teaching your dog to "drop it". If you are just starting out with a new puppy, or are encountering difficulties with a slightly older dog, some good books on behavior and training include "Good Dog 101" by Christine Dahl and the series of books by the Monks of New Skete (all available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and most local booksellers).