Tugging game..

[SevillaBrian]

Our rescued ~2 year old girl Lulu has, finally, after nearly 9 weeks with us, started playing and wanting to be played with. One of her favourite games is tugging with me on the knotted rope tug we bought her. It occurs to me to ask: should I be the alpha and always win (assuming I can!) or should I let her win now and again?

 

[DiverDiva]

You should always win. That will make it easier to get any toy or other object from her in the future.

You can also practice what some trainers call 'give me a break'. You tug and play with her and when she is excited, stop and cue her to sit or lie down. When she does, immediatly resume the game as her reward. It is a very handy skill for her to have.

 

[LILYLARUE]

I play tug with my pit/boxer all the time.....he's a master at it! Jaws of Life I say! LOL

Usually the rules for tug are:
1. Human always wins! I let Smiley win about every 5 tugs, but he is well versed in the game and always "Bring back" the tug for another round. We had to build up to this.

2. Never Let them Growl! Haha! It's part of the boxer's playstyle to growl! But, if Smiley begins to growl, I know it's because he is getting overexcited, so play ends immediately. Pits really shouldn't play tug, but I only play tug with the boxer side of him! LOL

3. End the game with another toy! If playing tug, then the last game should end with a trade of a toy so the dog knows the game ended and he can continue his own playing with his toy to release any energy built up from tugging. And no retailliating against your hands for another round.

Just remember - never yank or jerk the toy where the dog's head and neck will be jerked as well. You can really do damage to the neck muscles if not careful, especially with young pups. And no jerking back and forth, that's really dangerous to their muscles and tendons.

Make sure you use the "no Teeth" rule and your dog has complete bite inhibition. To be bit in an excited game of tug can really hurt you and make the dog apprehensive with your hands as not to cause you pain again. If your hand ends up in his mouth during a tug session, immediately stop the game (I use "no play" command) and let them calm a bit before initiating again.

I always then finish the session with the "Kiss me" command and trade a toy.......hey, I love my kisses so it's an excuse! LOL

 

[johann]

Tug is a favorite game in our house. Our rules:

1. Absolutely no teeth on my skin. Ends the game, toy gets put away, doggie gets sent to bed for a few minutes.

2. Tug only with certain toys (we started this after everything turned into a tug toy- like tennis balls).

3. Game ends on our command ("enough").

 

[SevillaBrian]

Thanks all. What I haven't managed yet is to instil many commands into Lulu. As I say she has been with us for a short time and has had health/pregnancy problems for much of that time. It's my next priority.

 

[Hioctanechic]

Still learning

I never even really thought of all these in just playing tug! Thanks guys for continuing to help me learn! Our boxer pup has only been in his new home for a couple of days but has been playing well with the kids and getting interested in the tugging games. Now, I have a safe gameplan for both kids and pup!! Thanks!! (I just thought pup was supposed to win because it is his game. Didn't have a clue, huh?)

 

[hmdupuis]

you and me both

I never even really thought of all these in just playing tug! Thanks guys for continuing to help me learn! Our boxer pup has only been in his new home for a couple of days but has been playing well with the kids and getting interested in the tugging games. Now, I have a safe gameplan for both kids and pup!! Thanks!! (I just thought pup was supposed to win because it is his game. Didn't have a clue, huh?)

I check in to BW daily and I seem to learn something new everytime