Rules For Playing Tug With Your Dog
Playing tug games with your dog.
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Have one toy for tug with your dog. I recommend putting it away and bringing it out when it is time to play tug with you. Putting the toy away and using it exclusively for Tug has everything to do with the toy being a special object that is used for bonding moments created through a specific type of play between me and my dog.
Use the “Drop It”**cue to end play after very short periods of tug to keep the intensity of the game low. Start with 15-20 seconds of Tug play then cue “Drop It” and wait for the dog to settle. They may sit or lay down or even just stand there but not attempt to get the toy from you. Resume play when the dog has settled. As you and your dog learn to play tug together safely you may increase the tugging time to 30-45 seconds but alway take breaks through out play.
Keep your eye on the dog the entire time, do not be distracted.
Don’t correct any growling, simply cue your drop it if you are uncomfortable with the growling and wait for a few seconds to start the game again.Some dogs growl more than others in play. For Gunner I continue play for the full 45 seconds even if he is growling because he is still very much in control of his emotions. For Bailey I will cue a drop it and take a short break within a few seconds of her growling because her growling signals that she is going over her threshold which is when accidents can happen. You will need to get to know and truly understand your dog and his play style.
Going over threshold is a point where the dog is not thinking logically, they are reacting. To play Tug safely your dog must remain in thinking mode where they understand cues from you.
Children under 12 years of age should not play tug with dogs. Children do not have the mental control and often the physical control to adhere to the rules of tug and therefore it is dangerous for a child to play tug with a dog.
The human part of the Tug game is an anchor for the other end of the toy. Do not shake, swing or lift your dog with the toy. Just being the resistance on the other end of the toy is all that is required. As for tug games making your dog aggressive, this is untrue. Aggression will exist whether or not you play tug. The key is teaching the rules to your dog and abiding by them yourself. When played safely with clear rules tug can build confidence, create a wonderful human-dog bond and teach impulse control.
Have fun and play safely.
****We teach a really great Drop It cue in our classes and to play tug safely you do need a solid Drop It**** :)