Tug

 

 

by Troy Wilson & Rosita Wilson - Outback Dog Training Group

 

Tug is a wonderful game to play with your dog; they are fully engaged with you while at the same time receiving exercise and engaging in natural dog behaviour such as grabbing and pulling at the tug toy. Adding impulse control commands turns this wonderful game into a really great training tool that boosts your dog's impulse control and helps them listen to you when they are over-stimulated. Unlike 'Fetch' tug is gentle on your dog's joints.

Purchase a Good Tug Toy

Generally, dogs don't care about the type of tug toy they play tug with but it is important you buy an appropriate tug toy; one that is suitable for your individual dog. We humans prefer a tug toy that is comfortable for us to hold; often we like tug toys with handles but beware; dogs love handles too.

 

It is important to make sure whatever tug toy you choose is big enough for your needs. I prefer tugs between one and three feet long, made of rope or some other kind of fabric. You can get tug toys made of bungee material; these may put less physical strain on both you and your dog.

The Rules of Basic Tug

Once you have sourced an appropriate tug toy that will work for you and your dog, it is time to set the rules of the game. I suggest the following:

• The tug toy is always off-limits until you grant your dog permission to take it. Before permission is given ensure your dog is in a 'Sit' or a 'Down' and waiting for your command. You will need to use a specific word which gives your dog permission to grab the tug toy. This can be anything you want, such as 'Yes', 'Take', 'Grab', 'Elephant'; it really doesn't matter, just give it a name.

 

• Your dog must release the tug toy on command. You will need to use a specific word which commands your dog to release the tug toy. This can be anything you want, such as 'Out', 'Give', 'Drop', 'Kangaroo'. Again, it really doesn't matter, just give it a name. We will go into how to teach your dog this command later in the article.

 

• Absolutely no teeth on skin. Your dog must understand without doubt that at no time are there to be teeth on human skin or clothing. This rule is absolute, and includes any accidental contact. Grabbing anything other than the tug toy results in the game immediately ending.

How to Play Tug

Now you have a suitable tug toy, established rules and your command words, it is time to begin teaching your dog to play tug.

 

Teach Your Dog to Take the Tug Put your dog into a 'Sit'. Hold the tug toy with a hand at either end.

Once you have your dog sitting, give them the command word to take the tug. Wave the tug toy in front of your dog or drag it along the ground in front of them. You want to encourage your dog to grab the tug toy in the middle away from your hands. When they grab the tug toy, encourage them verbally to keep playing.

 

While you are both holding the tug toy, shake it around to encourage your dog's prey drive. This first session should be short and sharp; it should last no more than thirty seconds.

 

Dropping the Tug on Command Do not shout at your dog to get them to let go of the tug toy; use a calm but firm voice. Different approaches work for different dogs, so have a look at the following suggestions and use the one that works best for you.

• Treats - Before you begin playing with your dog put some treats in your pocket. When you want your dog to let go of the tug toy, give your release command, stop tugging and let your arm go limp. Keep hold of the tug toy with one hand. With your other hand take out a treat. Put the treat in front of your dog's nose so they can smell it; this will usually cause the dog to release the tug toy. When your dog lets go of the tug toy, mark, treat and praise. Then get your dog to sit; once they do, issue your tug command, and invite them to play tug again. If you repeat this sequence often, your dog will learn to release the tug toy when you give your release command, and you will no longer need to hold the treat near their nose. Keep rewarding your dog when they release the tug toy until they are doing so 100% of the time. Be aware this method may not work if your dog is not keen to play again after they have had a treat. Some dogs are so interested in food that they will focus on that rather than play once they realise you have treats. 

 

• Trade - My favourite method is to have two identical tug toys; the one my dog is playing with and one behind my back. When I want my dog to let go of the tug toy I give my release command 'Out', I stop tugging and let my arm go limp while still holding the tug toy with one hand. With my other hand I pull the second tug toy out and offer it to my dog by wiggling it near their mouth; this will usually cause my dog to release the original tug toy and take the new one. The game continues. If you repeat this sequence often, your dog will learn to release the tug toy when you give your release command, and you will no longer need offer the other tug toy. Keep marking and praising your dog when they release the tug toy until they are doing so 100% of the time. 

 

• Sit for Another Round of Tug - Give your release command, stop tugging and let your arm go limp, but keep hold of the tug toy. Give your 'Sit' command; immediately your dog lets go of the tug toy and sits, give your tug command and encourage them to play again. Keep repeating this action; through repetition, your dog will learn to release the tug toy and sit as soon as you give your release command. When your dog is releasing the tug toy every time, start varying the time they have to sit before you encourage them to play again. 

 

• Brace the Toy Between Your Knees - Give your release command, stop tugging and let your arm go limp. Keep hold of the tug toy and put it in between your slightly bent knees; clench the tug toy between your knees to keep it completely still. This is to encourage your dog to stop tugging the tug toy as it is out of play. As soon as your dog releases the tug toy, give your tug command and encourage them to play again. Keep repeating this action; through repetition, your dog will learn to release the tug toy as soon as you give your release command; no more putting the tug toy between your knees. When your dog is releasing the tug toy every time, start varying the time they have to wait before you encourage them to play again; if you want you can get your dog to sit before inviting them to play again. 

 

• Cover Your Dog's Eyes - Give your release command, stop tugging and let your arm go limp. Keep hold of the tug toy, and with your other hand cover your dog's eyes. Your dog may let go of the tug toy when you do this; if they do, give your release command and encourage them to play tug again. Keep repeating this action; through repetition, your dog will learn to release the tug toy as soon as you give your release command; you will no longer have to cover their eyes. When your dog is releasing the tug toy every time, start varying the time they have to wait before you encourage them to play again; if you want you can get your dog to sit before inviting them to play again. 

 

• Ease the Toy Free - After a few minutes of tug, when your dog has a good hold on the tug toy and is tugging, face them and take the ends of the tug toy in your hands. Use the tug toy to lift your dog's muzzle towards you and give your release command. If your dog does not immediately stop tugging, stop all movement and keep the tug toy still while repeating your release command, at the same time gently pushing the tug toy toward your dog. You may have to walk toward your dog as you push the tug toy; they may back away from you to keep the game going. Keep a firm, constant grip on the tug toy until your dog slackens their grip; once you feel this, ease the tug toy from your dog's mouth. Immediately the tug toy is out of your dog's mouth give your tug command and continue the game.

After choosing which of these methods you will use, you will need to practice your chosen method repeatedly to ensure your dog knows how to play tug properly. Only allow your dog to tug for ten to twenty seconds, then use your release command to get them to let go of the tug toy; repeat this at least ten times per play session.

 

The correct timing of rewards is crucial to assist your dog's learning; if you are using method two, three, four, five or six your dog's reward for letting go of the tug toy is another game of tug. If you are using method one, your dog has two rewards; a food treat and another game of tug. If you are using this method, make sure you begin the new game as soon as you give the food so your dog doesn't get bored waiting.

Hints and Tips

• Use of a correction sound: I use 'ARGHH!' as a correction sound and not a high-pitched yelp because a yelp often further over-stimulates a dog, causing them to continue the unwanted behaviour. The correction sound tends to have the opposite effect, startling and calming the dog.

 

• You should never try to pull away when your dog has put teeth on skin, as this will further stimulate your already over-stimulated dog and force their prey drive even higher. This will cause your dog to want to hang on or lunge and grab again.

 

• Don't bother trying to pat your dog; as much as they may appreciate affection when you are just hanging out, when they are over-stimulated from a game of tug, they won't be overly interested in pats or praise.

 

• Don't permit your dog to jump forward after the tug toy before you give your tug command. If they do, use a clear, short, sharp correction sound like 'ARGHH!' while putting the tug toy out of your dog's reach behind your back or over your shoulder. If your dog has managed to get hold of the tug toy, get them to release it using one of the methods listed above, but do not reward them when they release the tug toy. Next time make sure you are ready so you can ensure your dog does not get the tug toy before you invite them to do so. It is a good idea to teach your dog to sit and wait before you bring out the tug toy and encourage them to play. With consistency your dog will learn that sitting and waiting is the best way to get the game started.

If at any point your dog misses the tug toy and puts teeth on skin, use a clear, short, sharp correction sound like 'ARGHH! and walk away, taking the tug toy with you; give your dog a time out. Wait outside the room for 20 - 30 seconds; say nothing. Once the time out is done, walk back into the room and invite your dog to play in a calm voice. You do not want your dog over-excited as an over-stimulated dog is more likely to accidentally bite. If your dog repeatedly puts teeth on skin during one session in spite of time outs, they may be struggling to learn to play tug safely. If this is the case, maybe you should teach them another game, such as 'Fetch”. If, however, you are determined to teach your dog to play tug try the following:

• Use long tug toys so there is less risk of teeth on skin;
• Shorten the time you are actively tugging to less than ten seconds before getting your dog to let go of the tug toy;
• Give your dog a longer time out; if they miss the tug toy and accidentally put teeth to skin, follow the steps listed above for a time out, but extend the no-play time to three to five minutes;
• Play 'Zen Tug'; when playing tug with your dog, use soft, calm tones, rather than loud, playful ones, and let them do most of the tugging. All you do is hold the tug toy and let your dog go all out for a few seconds before giving your release command.
• When you are done playing tug, follow the steps to get your dog to let go of the tug toy; when they do, get them to sit and offer a treat. While your dog is eating the treat, put the tug toy away.
• Do not allow your dog free access to the tug toy; it is only for those times when you play together.

Play growls during an enthusiastic game of tug are fine; feel free to growl back. If your dog starts out playing tug happily but becomes aggressive, stop the game immediately. Drop the tug toy and walk away. Most dogs are fine to play tug with their humans, although some may start to resource guard while playing. If you suspect your dog is starting to resource guard toys stop playing tug completely.

Watch for these body language cues your dog may be becoming aggressive:

• A rigid tail, possibly held high in the air;
• A rigid body;
• Staring without blinking;
• Snarling (your dog's lips will lift or wrinkle while they growl);
• Hackles on the back of your dog's neck or along their spine.

If your dog displays any of these body language cues or if you suddenly feel uncomfortable, drop the tug toy and walk away. Under no circumstances should you try to take the tug toy from your dog. Do not yell at your dog, or attempt to punish them.

 

If you feel threatened by your dog seek help from a reputable, qualified professional who has experience treating aggression.