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NEVER Play Tug? We Disagree…. 3 Rules to Make Tug a Great Game
We’ve all heard it: never play tug with your dog! It will make them mean. It will make them aggressive. It will make them think they can control you and that they’re in charge. WE DISAGREE!
We strongly believe that when taught right, playing tug is an amazing way to interact with your dog. It’s a great game for rewarding most dogs. It’s helpful in encouraging a strong retrieve. Tug is fabulous for helping a dog understand the rules of play and interaction. Here are a few of the things we insist on when teaching a dog the game of tug.
#1 — We Start the Game
The toy is off limits until you start the game. Just because it is in your hand that does not mean the dog should try to grab for it. Here’s a great opportunity to teach your dog that they are not allowed to snatch or grab things just because it may be something they want. Think of a child with a sandwich. The dog should know that it does not belong to them, and unless it’s been offered to them, they should leave it alone. Playing tug with your dog with a toy gives them a clearly defined start point to focus on and helps to reinforce the rule that they can only take things with permission.
