come n av a go if ya think your hard enuf!

claire_88 · #1 27-12-11, 05:47 PM

Is tug of war with your dog ok, if it's the owner that wins the game?

Moobli · #2 27-12-11, 05:52 PM

I always play tuggy with my dogs. It builds their focus and drive for their toy - which I then use for training/reward purposes.

I don't always win. I make sure I don't always win, as it must get a pretty frustrating/boring game for a dog that never wins the prize. However, I do train the "out" at an early stage, so the dog will release the toy to me at the end of our session

Tedsmum · #3 27-12-11, 06:23 PM

Yes me too.
Ted loves a game of tug and will try it with anything.
We often have a game of it but if he trys it with anything inappropriate or fragile I stop it.
I don't get too hung up on who wins, usually it is him anyway as he can easily drag me accross the room if he wants to.

claire_88 · #4 27-12-11, 06:45 PM

I'd never really bothered with tug games before, as they are strong dog's and being pulled about has never really appealed to me

She did seem to love it though as when i'd stop and put the toy on the floor she would be there picking it back up and dropping it into my lap! Even waking me this morning by crying, looking at her with this rope in her mouth was just adorable.

Something held me back from allowing her to win though...... :/

Bet · #5 27-12-11, 06:59 PM

Both mine play tug of war.......Zeus has always been quite gentle and seems to worry that he might hurt me but I encourage him to play and let him win and make a big fuss of him for doing so as it seems to boost his confidence especially if Maisy is picking on him and getting him down.
I play tug with Maisy too but she's relentless and will hang on forever and a day, I make the point of winning with her now and then.

Chip Chesterfield III · #6 27-12-11, 07:31 PM

Maybe better to play Tug, rather than tug of war.

I have been playing tug with chip but he is teething now so I have stopped until he has all his teeth.

I intend to play Tug with him and teach him to out when asked and then come back for more when I am ready.

There won't be any winner or loser, the game will start and end when I decide.

a

RainbowLass · #7 27-12-11, 07:33 PM

I think because i have Cait who is 6, i've always been cautious about encouraging Rogue to play tug.

We have one tug toy which only comes out after bathtime and we play outside in our carpark/back yard. (Its a great way to trim her nails down too!)

Actually, i've found its a great way to re-enforce the 'leave' command that we have been working on recently, if she is getting over excited and too strong then i call the game off... it keeps me in control and more importantly it keeps me on my feet!!!

claire_88 · #8 27-12-11, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chip Chesterfield III

Maybe better to play Tug, rather than tug of war.

I have been playing tug with chip but he is teething now so I have stopped until he has all his teeth.

I intend to play Tug with him and teach him to out when asked and then come back for more when I am ready.

There won't be any winner or loser, the game will start and end when I decide.

a

Quote:

Originally Posted by RainbowLass

I think because i have Cait who is 6, i've always been cautious about encouraging Rogue to play tug.

We have one tug toy which only comes out after bathtime and we play outside in our carpark/back yard. (Its a great way to trim her nails down too!)

Actually, i've found its a great way to re-enforce the 'leave' command that we have been working on recently, if she is getting over excited and too strong then i call the game off... it keeps me in control and more importantly it keeps me on my feet!!!

So .......say a dog was of a confident nature, strong minded, wants that toy no matter what (ignoring any commands/training here)
Could this sort of dog see their owner as weaker than them and therefore think they are above them?

Thinking over it, i think this is what was holding me back from letting Skye ''win/get the toy'' etc..

Stuart · #9 27-12-11, 09:13 PM

I think that Tug of war games are very good dog for dogs, Kee and Sam, never stop, almost from morning til night.

It certainly helps to keep them fit and strong, good for most muscles I would think

I would love to get Jazz involved but of course she doesnt play

Chip Chesterfield III · #10 27-12-11, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by claire_88

So .......say a dog was of a confident nature, strong minded, wants that toy no matter what (ignoring any commands/training here

I am not really qualified or experienced to be giving advice, but hell that has never stopped me before .

If the dog is ignoring commands and going for the toy no matter what, then that needs sorting first.

a