Tug Toy Guidance
Play with your dog safely and nurture a great long-lasting relationship at the same time.
As much as your dog would no doubt love to play with their toys all of the time, toys should never be left unsupervised with your dog. There are two main reasons for this.
1) These toys are designed for interactive play rather than as a chew toy. Potentially pieces could be chewed off and swallowed or become a choking hazard.
2) By putting the toy away after play, the toy will retain its power of excitement. This makes the next opportunity to play together with the toy even better.
When playing tug games, try to remember these few guidelines.
1) While the dog is tugging the toy, aim to keep the toy at your dog’s head height. Never lift the dog up by the toy as this could damage the dog’s neck
2) Try not to be too powerful. Tug towards you or a side-to-side motion rather than an up-and-down motion.
3) Some dogs have the strength to pull hard on their toys. Allow the dog to dictate the strength of the pull during play rather than you end up pulling the dog across the ground.
4) Don’t be a competitive game player. In the game of tug-of-war, let your dog win most of the time and take the toy from you. It’s no fun if your dog always loses.
5) Some dogs like to run off with the toy as part of play. Encourage them to bring the toy back to you by either using recall or running off and getting them to chase you. Whatever you do, remember to keep it exciting and fun. The goal is for your dog to understand that tug is a game for the two of you to play together.
6) If you throw a toy for your dog, try and throw it in the direction that your dog is travelling. You want to try and avoid your dog suddenly twisting or braking too hard as this can cause injury.
7) Never play tug-style games with dogs who are injured, unwell, or recovering from illness or surgery. Extra care should also be taken with senior dogs. Keep any play gentle, low-impact, and for a short duration to avoid strain or discomfort. If you notice a change in your dog’s desire to play, it may be that your dog is uncomfortable. If you have any doubt, have your dogs checked by a vet or specialist.
8) Most dogs want to play with their best friend so make it fun for both of you. Dogs are very smart. They know if you are not enjoying the game and they can lose interest because of it.
Remember not all dogs are the same and some are keener to play than others. Repeatedly showing interest in the game yourself and slowly encouraging them to join in can help them to discover the fun of tug toys. Like all dog training it can take time to build up that bond and understanding
Every dog plays differently and it’s up to you to identify what their favourite games are. Different toys can create different responses and many handlers are aware that their dogs can have a variety of favourite tug toys. This collection of toys really helps to give the handler more options on which game to play.
It is also a good idea to have multiple toys, as bringing out an alternative toy can reignite the excitement and enthusiasm for play. This really helps to create an amazing bond between you and your dog.
These tug toys are ideal for dogs taking part in many different canine sporting activities (such as agility, hoopers or flyball) as they can be used as a great motivator and reward while training.
Playing games with your dog is one of the most rewarding things you can do together. It really is a wonderful way to connect with your dog.
Additional Puppy Advice:
Take particular care when playing with your puppy. Puppies have growth plates that do not close until around 8 - 16 months. This means that on an X-ray, their tiny soft bones look like they are floating. It is vital that playing with your puppy be kept gentle and flowing and not rough or jerky in any way.
During teething, puppies may not have a desire to play tug games as their mouths are very sore. During this stage, your puppy may prefer to chew on a special chew toy designed for this stage and always under supervision.