tug of war
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Well, some people think that playing tug with your dog can lead to dominance issues. Others say it is fine as long as you always 'win'.
IMO there's nothing wrong with playing tug, and in fact it can be a very strong motivator/reward training tool (which is especially good if your dog doesn't have a strong food-drive). You should set boundaries though. Your dog *must* know a 'drop-it' or 'mine' command and learn to relinquish the toy on command. Also if you're going to play the game with anything other than the designated 'tug-toy', then you should have a command/signal for when the game can commence as well as end. With a young dog especially, you should be careful that the game doesn't get too rough, but that's just a common-sense issue as the dog still has developing jaws/teeth/joints etc.
IMO there's nothing wrong with playing tug, and in fact it can be a very strong motivator/reward training tool (which is especially good if your dog doesn't have a strong food-drive). You should set boundaries though. Your dog *must* know a 'drop-it' or 'mine' command and learn to relinquish the toy on command. Also if you're going to play the game with anything other than the designated 'tug-toy', then you should have a command/signal for when the game can commence as well as end. With a young dog especially, you should be careful that the game doesn't get too rough, but that's just a common-sense issue as the dog still has developing jaws/teeth/joints etc.
natrhymer
Boxer Booster
Our guy, Dieter, (about two years old, rescued at about one year old) LOVES tug. He also has some fear aggression issues while on leash. We've been to a behaviorist who told us that playing tug is OK, as long as he doesn't growl when doing it. Well, since we all know boxers are soooo vocal, Dieter is always growling during play, especially tug. So, we're working on training him not to growl during tug, which is working out OK. But, my point is, we have a somewhat aggressive dog and were told tug is OK, with boundaries. Of course, we play by the rules and the game stops on our command, when he growls, or if his teeth accidentally touch our skin. We've also trained him that if the toy gets near our face (we'll pull it up close to our face) he lets go immediately.
We still enjoy tons of fun tug time and it's a great way to exercise our guy when we can't get out to play (rain, snow, cold, etc.).
As long as you play by your rules, I think tug is GREAT!
BTW, I wouldn't recommend tug play for every aggressive dog -- I'm only speaking in our particular case with Dieter, since our behaviorist determined he's not a dominance-seeking dog.
We still enjoy tons of fun tug time and it's a great way to exercise our guy when we can't get out to play (rain, snow, cold, etc.).
As long as you play by your rules, I think tug is GREAT!
BTW, I wouldn't recommend tug play for every aggressive dog -- I'm only speaking in our particular case with Dieter, since our behaviorist determined he's not a dominance-seeking dog.
I play tug with Shelby all the time. Shelby has no issues with agression. She knows the command "give" very well. I use a short game of tug as a reward for agility training. It is more convienent than having food with me and she is more motivated by a good game than by a treat. I think that as long as you play with rules (as everyone else said) it is fine. But you must teach that the games starts and ends when you say. I also don't leave Shelby's tug toys out. They are strictly toys that I play with her with. That makes it even more special. She actually has a special tug toy that I use only for agility training. When she sees that toy, she knows it is time to do agility and it really gets her attention.
we had a dog in the other day who laceratated his tongue while playing tug-o-war. However, that happens to my newfie when we play fetch too. I would just watch out for overagression and overstimulation - like when the dog is so wound up he/she is snapping at the toy and barely missing my hands - then game is over for me.
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