General Question The Forbidden Tug-O-War

[mer55]

Quick question about puppyhood! I know you should not play tug o war with pups as it can propel aggression later on. However, when you think about the litter, each of them tugged on each other, and when a toy was introduced, they grew up 'tugging" at things. So, I have noticed that my pup has the attention span of a fly with most of his toys. He will bite a stuffed animal, then go onto to something else, usually me! But, if I keep putting the stuffie in his mouth, and GENTLY tug on it, he will respond and play like this for sometime. As soon as he starts the violent head shaking and growling, I stop and game is over. I never get into a serious tug o war with him, just gentle tugging to keep him busy. You think this is ok? Seems pretty natural for them to want to tug at things. I have bells hanging on my door with the hope of teaching him to hit them to go out, but he thinks they are just the BEST thing to tug at all by himself and it keeps him busy for at least 20 minutes when he finds them.
What do you think??

 

[bulldogs4me]

I think you have the right idea in playing the fun tug with him and when he gets over stimulated to end the game ... I would add a simple command like "enough" so he understands that his behavior is what ended the game. At least that's how I do it in my home, I allow my dogs to play tug, I just monitor the play and when things get too rough I say "enough" and they know to stop.

 

[RiiSi]

I don't think it's forbidden. You just need to teach your dog the command "leave it" or "irti" as we say it....Usko will leave it and let go even though he is very excited and growling and tuging...I make him leave it every time we play tug-o-war....

http://www.englishbulldognews.com/forums/bulldog-photos-videos/16087-played-some-tug-war-today.html

 

[dalmatina38]

Amber is a rough houser and always has been since we brought her home. She is tough and we play with her tough but she learned the command "stop" so when she is told to stop she does. She will still see if you are willing to play but unless you initiate more playing she is content to go find something else to do, usually looks for the cat. We work within the dynamics of the family and try to find a balance between play and acceptable behavior. Good luck.

 

[Piamitch]

I was told by a trainer, tug of war is ok to play as long as you always win. It's the whole pack leader dominance that you want to control. I always tell my kids don't start tug of war if your not going to finish.. meaning dont just play then let go and be done. You need to end it when you have the rope or toy.

 

[sweetpeasmom2008]

I havent played tug a war with Lola yet but when she is chewing things she will tug on them herself.

 

[2BullyMama]

As others have said... tug is fine as long as you "win" or determine when it is time to stop. Teach Bogie leave it and drop it so when you use those commands he knows time is up.

Banks tends to play very rough, always has, we taught her these two commands early on and whenever we say those -- she will stop what ever she was doing -- and tug is her ALL TIME favorite game

 

[luseaann]

We trained Liz to go out with the bells on the door knob. We didn't make a big deal out of them, just rang them every time we let her out to do her business. When Amy came she watched Liz and picked up the bell thing. We've always played tug of war with Liz. Never Amy. Amy is the aggressive one. Grrrrr!

 

[Davidh]

I play tug with ours and stop it if they get too excited, and I have never had a problem.

 

[Vicaroo1000]

I don't think it's forbidden. You just need to teach your dog the command "leave it" or "irti" as we say it....Usko will leave it and let go even though he is very excited and growling and tuging...I make him leave it every time we play tug-o-war....

http://www.englishbulldognews.com/forums/bulldog-photos-videos/16087-played-some-tug-war-today.html

The human starts the game and ends the game and controls the game while it's going on.

 

[Baconator]

I played tug with Bacon from day 1 it's all a matter of keeping it under control like everyone else said.