Playing Together wit Your Dog - Tug-of-War Games

Playing with a dog is always fun. It strengthens the bond between the dog and the owner, bringing joy to both parties. Playtime, in general, is one of the most bonding activities between a dog and its owner. There's a lot of social interaction, and it builds trust. Therefore, playing with a dog serves an important function for the dog's well-being. It provides both physical and mental challenges. There are various games that can be played with a dog, but this specifically concerns tug-of-war games.

A tug-of-war is a game where both the dog and the owner hold onto a dog toy from opposite sides and pull. Dogs can also play this game with each other by pulling on either end of a toy.

Can Every Dog Play Safely?

We often receive questions like whether tug-of-war games make dogs aggressive or whether the owner should always win the game. Will a hunting dog learn to bite too hard, which isn't suitable during hunting training? In hunting training, they need to have a "soft bite" to avoid damaging the prey. The answer to all these questions is "no."

Tug-of-war games do not make dogs aggressive, but it's important to pay attention to how the game is played. See the explanation further in this blog. The owner doesn't need to win the game every time. In the past, it was often recommended during training, but if the owner always loses, the game becomes less enjoyable. Play should always be enjoyable, so finding a balance is key. Sometimes the owner wins, and sometimes the dog wins. That's what makes the game fun.

For hunting dogs, tug-of-war games are beneficial. They can learn when it's okay to bite hard and when it's not. Fetch games (throwing a toy and having the dog retrieve it) are an example where the dog learns not to pull and to handle what's in their mouth more gently.

With tug-of-war games, the owner can also teach the dog commands like "hold" and "release" in a playful and enjoyable way. These commands can be useful in various situations, making it a fun exercise for both the dog and the owner.

For many dogs, tug-of-war games can also be used as rewards. Playing together is one of the most enjoyable things for a dog, so they perceive it as a reward.

Tug-of-war serves many purposes. Any dog, regardless of age or breed, can safely enjoy a tug-of-war game.

How to Teach a Dog to Play Tug-of-War Properly?

Tug-of-war games create higher excitement levels in dogs. It's important not to let this excitement escalate too much, as it can lead to stress or, in some dogs, aggression. So, it's not inherently aggression-inducing, but in certain dogs (especially those prone to stress), it's important to stop a tug-of-war game earlier to prevent aggression. Playing tug-of-war properly teaches the dog (and the owner) when to stop in time and prevent aggression from arising.

Tug-of-war isn't meant to be a competition. It should remain a game. Therefore, it's important to occasionally let the dog hold onto the toy without the owner pulling on it directly. The dog will then offer the toy back to the owner to continue playing. This is "play together," and this mutual invitation makes the game engaging for both the dog and the owner.

It's also important to teach the dog how to play tug-of-war. Good-quality toys are crucial during this learning phase. Particularly in the initial stages, clear rules should be established for tug-of-war games.

Choosing the Right Toy

To prevent the dog from accidentally biting hands, it's wise to choose toys with sufficient distance between the owner's hands and the dog's mouth. Most dogs don't intentionally bite hands while tugging. However, if their excitement becomes too intense, they might get too close to hands. To avoid this, toys like the West Paw Bumi®, West Paw Zwig®, or West Paw Skamp® can be used. With the Skamp®, the hands are closer to the dog's mouth, but there's still enough distance to switch to another end using one hand.

All these dog toys ensure there's ample space between the dog's mouth and the hands, keeping the play enjoyable. There are other toys that offer this distance too, such as a ball in a sock or a sturdy plush toy like the West Paw Rowdies. These are designed for rough play.

If play becomes too rough, the owner should stop the game. This clearly defines the boundary between enjoyable and unenjoyable play. It's important to end play on a positive note. The owner can release the toy and not respond to the invitation to play. This signals to the dog that the game is no longer fun, prompting it to stop. After a few minutes, play can resume. However, each time, make play sessions shorter than the previous one, so play is halted at the right moment (before it becomes too rough). Finish off with a treat (exchange this for the tug-of-war toy, which is put away).

Practical Tips:

• Have 2 or more tug-of-war toys nearby so that they can be swapped for variety. The commands "release" and "hold" can be practiced by exchanging one tug-of-war toy for another.
• Depending on the dog's enthusiasm, encourage the dog during play. This helps the dog understand when it's doing well.
• If the dog becomes too excited or tense, it's best for the owner to sit on the ground too. This is often more relaxing for the dog, as there isn't someone towering over it.
• Avoid shaking the toy too vigorously; keep it at the dog's height or move it along the ground. Especially for puppies or adolescents still growing, excessive shaking of the tug-of-war toy should be avoided. It could lead to injuries. Keeping the toy at the dog's level prevents jumping (and associated injuries). Maintain gentle tension on the toy, but try to avoid pulling too hard. This helps boost a pup's or adolescent's self-confidence.
• Even senior dogs with conditions like arthritis should not be moved excessively from side to side. The owner should let the dog take the lead and follow its lead.
• Prevent pain during play. If play becomes painful, the dog might associate it with the owner rather than the activity itself. The dog might then think playing with the owner is painful and might not want to play. This damages trust.
• For puppies going through teething, it's important to select appropriate materials. A rope toy might be too painful, as their teeth could get caught in it. As a result, play might become unpleasant. Choose materials that suit their life stage.
• It's better not to play on slippery surfaces. It's preferable to play on carpeting, a well-placed rug, or outside on grass. This prevents injuries and negative experiences.
• Incorporate breaks and avoid playing for too long. Sometimes, 5 or 10 minutes is sufficient. A start and stop signal can help, like the commands "hold" and "release."
• The owner can also take the initiative regularly by calling the dog to play together. Responding to the dog's invitation is important; it maintains a good balance.
• Move the toy along the ground and walk backward. Most dogs will enthusiastically follow the owner to play.

Blog by Rita Viel, Export Manager of West Paw Inc. This dog toy is manufactured in America and is high-quality. It even holds the CE certification, making it safe for children too. The toy is also 100% recyclable. In addition to being an export manager, Rita is also a dog training instructor and co-founder of Kwispel Dog School in Steenwijk, as well as a certified behavior therapist.

Years ago, Rita came across West Paw's toys when she was searching for high-quality toys that could assist in solving certain behavioral issues in dogs. Now, she conducts workshops worldwide on playing with dogs and how to use play/toys to address specific behavioral problems, as well as for dogs with limitations like older dogs, injured dogs, and puppies.

Please note that the translation provided here is an approximate rendition of the original text and may not capture all nuances and subtleties of the original Dutch text.