Playing Tug-of-War With Your Dog

Forget the Myth

For decades, dog owners have been told never to play tug-of-war with their dogs because it increases aggression in the dog. This isn’t true — every study done refutes the notion. Playing tug-of-war doesn’t turn your dog into a predator; your dog already is one. The game simply provides a safe and enjoyable outlet for the behavior.

Playing Tug-of-War

Why it’s a good idea

Tug-of-war is:

• A tremendous cardio workout (exercise) and brainteaser for your dog (mental stimulation).
• A great way to teach your dog to listen to cues when excited and distracted.
• Exercise that can happen indoors and outdoors, in short sessions and with little space.
• Likely to lessen any behavior problems resulting from under-stimulation and boredom.
• A potent motivator for snappy obedience.

The Caveat

Tug-of-war should be correctly trained and always played by the rules. Remember: Control the game and you control the dog. Follow the method and rules laid out here and you are in for a great time with your dog!

If Your Dog Hoards the Toy

Show zero interest. If, or when, your dog “wins” (i.e. you let go of the tug toy, dog leaves and hoards the toy), play hard to get. Never chase your dog or get into a battle involving speed or agility. You won’t win and psych-outs work much better, so pretend you couldn’t care less.

Notice and Reward Steps in the Right Direction

If your dog tries to re-engage you in the game by dropping the toy in front of you, praise and try again. The goal is for your dog to learn that the tug toy is infinitely more fun when brought to life by you than when dead. Patience is key here, especially with toy hoarders.

Before Playing Tug-of-War

Put the release on cue

Decide on a release cue such as “Drop it”, “Out”, “Give”, or “Let go”. Before getting your dog excited about playing tug-of-war, practice some low-key exchanges with him. The sequence is:

1. Give the cue to release
2. Your dog releases
3. Give a food reward
4. Give the cue to re-take

Troubleshooting

If your dog doesn’t take the tug toy in its mouth to begin with, practice the exchanges anyway (or use a clicker to shape the behavior!).

Give your dog the toy (put it down in front) and then take it back, give the reward, and then replace the toy. Rehearse dozens of reward-for-toy exchanges. The release should be well trained before you continue with the game. (If your dog becomes possessive about toys, call me for advice. You can toss a tasty treat off to the side, at a safe distance, to reclaim the toy safely).

If your dog grabs the toy and runs away, instead practice the exchanges without completely letting go of the toy. The important thing is that your dog experiences having something taken away, getting a reward, and then having the thing presented again.

If your dog won’t let go of the toy with a bit of encouragement, try first having him sniff the food treat. Once this has worked a few times, hide the treat and try again. If your dog is reluctant to release, reward every exchange until he releases without hesitation on the first command every time. Eventually, getting to take the toy again will become the reward for releasing on command, but using food early on helps break your dog’s focus on the toy. Experiment with a variety of different food treats if your dog is very reluctant to part with his tug toy.

Time-Outs for the Penalties

During actual tug-of-war games, apply the following penalties:

30 Second Time-Out

For any failure to release the tug toy, stop play and leave the room for 30 seconds. Toss a treat several feet away to safely remove the item, if needed.

End The Game

For any unintentional or intentional misconduct, such as even the slightest tooth contact (grabbing your clothes or hand with mouth) stop the game altogether.

Send a clear message that tooth contact means no fun. When your dog knows, loves, and is hooked on tug-of-war, ending the game abruptly is by far the most potent motivator against rule breaking. Your dog will curb their behavior in order to keep playing with you.

The 4 Rules of Tug-of-War

1. Your dog has to release the tug toy on cue.

Of course, you have thoroughly trained the release cue, so any failure to comply should result in a time-out penalty.

2. One tug toy only — and the game only happens when you say so.

Designate a tug toy as the one-and-only tug toy, reserved for this game and nothing else. Then decide on a take command like “Get that rope!” This rule prevents your dog from misfiring in day-to-day life: you don’t want someone innocently picking up a tug toy and being enthusiastically jumped by your dog and you don’t want to have him grab some other thing you are holding because he thought he heard the cue.

The easiest way to train this rule is to practice it while playing. If your dog goes for the toy before you have invited him, give a No Reward Mark (“Oh! Too bad!”), and do a time-out followed by an obedience break (see next rule). Then invite your dog to take the toy.

This rule infraction is extremely common in tug-of-war games, so don’t sweep it under the rug. If your dog goes for another retake before being invited, i.e. makes the same mistake twice in a row, end the game.

3. The game stops often for obedience breaks.

Tug-of-war is one of the great recyclable rewards for obedience training. Alternate back and forth between the tug game and obedience to spot-check your control over your dog during the game and to teach him obedience when he is excited and distracted. Every initiation of the tug game is a potent reward you can use to select a particularly nice obedience response. Your dog will try fanatically hard to improve his obedience to get you to restart the game. What’s more, through repeated association over time, the two activities will blur in your dog’s mind, eventually making him love obedience training.

4. Zero tolerance of sloppy jaw control.

Your dog will sometimes make contact with your hand or other part of you by mistake. Sometimes he might even latch on to you or your clothing as though you were a tug toy. Don’t let this go unnoticed. Say “Ouch!” even if it didn’t hurt and abruptly end the game (NOT in a loud, sharp voice). This is game misconduct every time. Dogs can control their jaws with great precision if given a reason to do so.

With this rule you not only remind your dog of the sensitivity of human skin and the great necessity to keep his jaws off people at all times, you have also trained this while he is excited, which is where sloppy jaws are most often a problem.

That’s It! Now HAVE FUN!

If your dog isn’t breaking any of the rules, let him get as excited as he wants. This includes head shaking, strong tugging, and growling. Vocalization is normal, just don’t allow it to get too intense. Maintain the rules through consistent and patient practice.