Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 11:13 am Post subject: Tug of War, Yes or No
This may sound like a strange one but do you play tug of war with your dog/puppy, Holly seems to like to play a lot of tug and war however, I have read 2 separate books and they both say different things on the subject.
The one book said that if you play tug of war with your dog/puppy it may make them aggressive.
The other book said that you can play tug of war as long as you win sometimes (to keep the pecking order) and the dog/puppy wins sometimes too as not to dent confidence.
Which is right, as I don't want to continue to play like this will Holly if she is going to become aggressive.
oohh we have always played tug of war with Ruby - I dont beleive in the alpha nonsence Ruby knows I am not a dog
Hubby plays it more than be tbh and sometimes he wins sometimes she does dont think he ever thinks 'I must win this time in case she loses respoect for me' lol
The thing you have to ensure is that games stop when YOU want them rather than when pup wants to - to instill basic manners accross the board.
ps Ruby is nearly 2 and I have never heard her growl so it cant make them aggressive either hth
That's great Vicky just wanted to check haven't had a dog since I was child so difficult to judge I think I should stop reading books and go with my own instincts
I play tug of war with Lucy, my trainer recommneds it too. To encourage playing with a toy and for the bonding time.
The dog also gets to recognise playing with the toy is not the game its playing with you that is. So bringing that toy back once the dog has 'won', so the fun play can start over again.
As Holly is still young and her teeth are probably still puppy ones let her do most of the pulling with the toy, you can give a tiny tug back softly holding the toy downwards so her teeth don't get pulled out.
I have always played tug of war with Meg and she is a big softie But I can understand why you ask! It can be a good way to reinforce the drop and leave comand as well, that is how I have always played it with Meg (whether this is right)
No question is ever silly.... so always ask... i do!!!!
I asked this recently about tug of war but more along the lines of 'will it harm hips'??!! I was advised by a few people that it was fine... but as with everything its all in moderation... ..I think a game of tug with regard to 'aggression' wont do any harm, I honestly dont think it will CAUSE aggression, theres a lot more factors that go into that than just a game of tug!! Just as long as you teach them when enough is enough and it doesnt go on all night!! YOU start the game YOU finish it, type of thing.......
Please bear i mind this is just my humble opinion and there is a world of far more knowledgeable peeps out there than me!! But hope it helps. Enjoy pup and have fun!!! x
I've played Tuggies with all my dogs, big and small and haven't had any aggression problems...I even play tug of war with my sister 10 stone Rottie X Pyrrenean Mountain dog...All the dogs know to let go when I ask them to, so I don't see a problem.
I think it is probably different if you were going to work your dog though, as I suppose it may encourage it to grip things harder.
Our collie cross loves tug of war with either us or with the labs and there isnt a nasty bone in his body. Sometimes he wins, sometimes we do
Both Jess and Daisy, however will only play tug of war with each other and Max (looks funny when all 3 are tugging on a rubber toy!! ), so us humans are obvioulsy not deemed worthy enought to play it with!!
I played tug-of-war with my lab but more when he was older.
As far as the Alpha thing goes, I always had the last hold of his toys and called a halt to the game when I decided because he did start the growling thing for a short time. He soon stopped it.
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