Tools You Didn't Know Were Tools

That thing.  That twisted piece of fabric in his mouth?  Yeah, that's a Tool, and a damn good one if you ask me.  Depending on the dog, Tug o' war can be almost as great a weapon in your quest for focus, as carrying a chunk of steak or salmon in your pocket (sometimes even better). 

Playing Tug with your dog can blow most other ways to interact with your dog out of the water in terms of obedience, so long as you are teaching your animal how to do this properly.  How many of you know a dog, or may have one, that leaps for your face trying to get the rope out of your hand? Or one that sounds like it's turning into a werewolf the moment she starts yanking on the toy?

How many of you have heard the ol' adage "It will make them aggressive"?  Well, will it?  There are certain personalities out there that I would certainly advise never to play Tug o' war with, but the majority of dogs can greatly benefit from playing this game.  This is not a game I recommend children play with the family dog.  There are too many accidental things that could go wrong.  Stick to teaching Fetch, or Retrieve, with parental supervision, if you want the kids playing with the dog.

It can be a good workout for you (shoulders, abs, arms and legs, if you have a larger, stronger dog), and a wonderful way to tire out a rambunctious pup.  It can be a bonding game too.  Teaching a dog how to politely ask for permission to play Tug can be an amazing way to show a dog how to "Turn off the Crazy" once they get going.  You can use it with very young dogs (so long as you are being careful of teeth; yank too hard and you'll pop them right out of their little puppy heads) to teach a polite "Drop" behavior, as well as "Bring."

Think about it:  In the wild, when a pack of dogs (or wolves, if you will) gets a hold of prey, they are working together.  It is a group effort when they latch on to some hapless young deer and begin to rip and tear at it, or hang off of it, in order to bring it down to feed themselves and any growing puppies they may have.  They are working together.

Tug o' War can be a bonding experience for you and your dog, as you work together to 'kill' the tug toy.  Ripping and tugging and throwing all their energy onto a TOY---Not your neighbor's dog; or cat, or kid. Giving your dog an appropriate place to be what they are (remember, domesticated as we have made them, they are Predators.....and dirty scavengers, but we'll talk about that some other time) in a controlled manner, is wonderful!

So how do you play Tug, without creating a problem?
Well, if your dog already thinks it's alright to lunge and snap at whatever toy you are holding, start by teaching them to Sit politely and wait for you to offer the toy.  Do not allow your dog to jump on you and basically demand that you give it to them; it's your toy.  That's right, I said that was your tug toy.  Everything that your dog enjoys belongs to you.  Remember that.

So he's sitting politely, offer him the toy and say something like "Take it" as he puts it into his mouth.  Before you get to yanking and pulling at all, make sure your dog knows how to "Drop" when you ask him to.  You've offered him the toy, it's in his mouth, now pull out something tasty and offer him a trade (sometimes you may have to get that piece of chicken and literally touch his nostrils with it before he'll realize you want
that toy).  The moment he lets go, tell him he's a Good Dog and give him that chunk o' chicken.

Only when your dog has a good idea of what Take vs. Drop is, should you move into pulling on it.  If he's so into the toy that he doesn't want food, Cool!  Use what motivates him.  He doesn't want to let go of the rope, but is obsessed with tennis balls?  Use that.  He won't let go of the rope for any reason what-so-ever?  Than he is not ready to play with the rope.  Teach him to drop things you know he will.  Create a habit of listening to you on stuff that doesn't make him so nuts; graduate to tougher sales slowly.  Sometimes, using two of the exact same toy can work.

Ok, so you're tugging and pulling and she suddenly begins to growl.  Quick, drop the rope and back away slowly....
I'm kidding.  That is usually a normal thing for your pup to make play noises that sound terrible.  If you aren't sure if they are 'safe' sounds, get an opinion from a good canine educator.  They'll be equipped to let you know if what you are hearing is ok, or leaning into territory that might indicate your dog may not be emotionally sound enough for this game. 

The way this game should go is a series of Tugging and Releasing.  Don't play this 'til the dog can't stand up anymore; always leave them wanting more.  I don't recommend using growling noises yourself; you are a Human, don't growl at your dog.  You can verbally encourage the pull though, using something like "get it" or my personal favorite "Skit'em."  But when you have decided it is time to release the toy, stop moving.  Get quiet for a couple seconds, and ask for that "Drop." 

When your dog lets go, ask for a Sit or a Down, or a Heel, or whatever you are currently working on; this game can motivate!  Ivan Balabanov (pictured) has been using Tug o' War as a training reward for his winning Schutzhund dogs for years.  He believes in building a stronger relationship with the dog, through tug (and TONS of time!!!!!) makes for better performance....Obviously it works.
Anyway, ask for something.  Only when your dog has done something for you should you offer the toy back.  If the dog ignores you and just keep circling or attempts to jump at the toy, say "no" calmly, and put the toy out of sight for a moment, or tuck it into your torso and just be quiet.

Do not repeat "Sit....Sit...Sit..Sit"  over and over and over again.  Say it once, and wait.  As long as your dog is still looking at you, they are still engaged and want what you have.  Being patient will net you what you want. 
As soon as the dog sits, the game can resume.

Rules are simple;

1. The toy does not belong to the Dog.

2. The toy only comes out for the game when the Human decides it is tug time.

3. The game ends when the Human decides it should.

4. The dog must Sit politely in order to be offered the toy; should he jump at you to get it, draw the toy into your body (no jerking it over your head, as this will promote more jumping) say "no," and ask for Sit again.  

5. Tug can make a great reward for other behaviors....My dog will Heel for a super long time just to get a chance at that tug for 30 seconds!!!!  He'll also do fantastic Stays in order to play.

6. Do not play until the dog is bored and too tired to play more.  Always end the game when he still wants to play.  That way, it never loses its excitement for him.

7. Allow him to "win" once in a while.  Letting him jerk the toy out of your hands and run off with it makes him feel good.  It will not ruin any idea of who is "dominant."  It is a chance for you to encourage polite game play:  "Ohhh, you got it!  Good Boy, Bring it.  Good boy Bring it back."  When he does, the game can resume.  If he doesn't bring it back, or plays "i'm faster than you can grab this rope" just walk off.  Teach him how to play fair by not losing your cool or chasing him when he tries to play keep away.

8. DO NOT ALLOW FRIENDS WHO DON'T KNOW HOW TO PLAY TUG PROPERLY TO PLAY THIS GAME WITH YOUR DOG.

That last one is important because most people do not know how to play this game, without riling the dog up til he is jumping and frantic and not at all listening to you.  The idea with tug is to bond, train, play and respect.  If at any time he jumps and manages to steal the toy from you, don't react.  Just walk away.  Game over.  Ignore him if he brings it to you and shoves it into your leg/body.  He stole from you, he gets no interaction; pick up the toy after he has lost interest and put it away for later.

 "Skit'em!"