Allow tug of war or not.

[Stacie]

Some people think that the game causes aggressive behavior and dominance. Some people think it's a healthy normal game for dogs to play. Do you play tug of war with your doodle? Why or why not?

 

[Adina P]

I think it is perfectly fine.  As long as you establish rules and it is a game you agree to (rather than a real tug to get something)...I see no problem.  

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I agree with this.  I play tug with my guys often but on my terms.  I start the game and I end it.  I actually do "let" them win sometimes.  My guys love to play tug together too.  Murph is usually "the winner" because he's the stronger of the two, but Guinness gives him a run for his money, and they have a great time.

[Adina P]

I agree that who 'wins' or doesn't win really isn't that big a deal.  I think what you DO want is to always train your dogs to 'give' or 'drop it' on command so that it isn't truly a 'war' but a simple game.  And it is a good time to practice the 'give' and other commands while they are all excited.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Yup.  If one of my guys doesn't respond to my "drop it" during our games of tug or fetch, I just get up and walk away.  That freaks them out.  They drop it immediately because they just don't want it to end.  I will then go back and continue for a couple more minutes so the game can end on a positive.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

We always played Tug of War with our dogs. It is a wonderful way to reinforce the 'drop it' command.

Also works great in weather when they can't get out to run as much. A good game of TofW can tire a doodle out!

[Jennifer and Jack]

I do let Jack play, ( I will do anything to help keep his teeth clean) He likes to tug on things and then release them so I can throw it. I don't think it is so bad if you use it in a way that is fun. If the dog becomes worked up or aggressive while doing the "game" I would not allow them to do it.

 

So in my amateur opinion, I think it depends on the dog and his ability to keep it in perspective that it is a game and not a challenge for dominance. 

[Bonnie and Kona]

We have never played tug of war with our dogs for the dominance/aggression issue as well as growing up with a hunter dad who insisted this would keep hinting dogs from having a soft mouth. But we've had multiple dogs for many years and they play tug of war with one another all of the time! So go figure?

[Linda and Murphy]

Bonnie, I have always heard  from all the hunters in my family, starting with my Dad, that the dogs wouldn't have a soft mouth. That being said, I do play tug of war with Murphy.

His favorite is if I am sitting on the hardwood floor. He can drag me across the room. (no aggressive behavior is allowed..though he has never shown that tendency.)

[Eva (Lilo and Rocky)]

yes, we play tug with both dogs. Rocky always gives up after less than a minute. Lilo, on the other hand, never gives up until she wins. And she always wins, she's just so strong. She likes to put up a show and jumps and play growls and jerks and tugs until we give up. Right after the game, she comes over and flips over on her back and wants a belly rub.  Tug is one of her favorite games so we play it almost daily. We have zero aggression or dominance issues.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Once we established drop it or leave it, we played tug of war with our dogs.  If I had a dog with dominance or aggression issues, I probably would not.

[Carol and Banjo]

We avoided this game for many months with Banjo - after having a dog with aggressive tendencies we were hesitant to "go there again".  But after a while it was clear Banjo had no such tendencies and he really enjoys the game.  We always start the game and decide when to end the game.   I think it's great exercise and fun for him.

[Phoebe's Mom]

Phoebe enjoys tug of war but if she starts growling, even a 'play growl,' we stop the game and start a different one.  Our trainer (when Phoebe was a puppy) told us that she plays the game with all her dogs but she always adds petting and verbal communication throughout the game.  I have always done that and Phoebe is wonderful about it and ends the game with no issues.  I really think it all relates to the individual dog's temperment though as we had a lab/chow mix who was never able to play without agressive issues.