Many dogs enjoy playing tug of war; it’s a good way to show off their predatory tendencies. Your dog will get plenty of mental and physical activity playing tug of war. It’s a great approach to strengthen the link between humans and dogs.
However, if you want to play safely, you need to make sure that both you and your dog are aware of the ground rules before you begin. These guidelines stop the game from getting out of hand. If your dog is properly taught, playing this game with them should be no problem.
Is it okay if my dog wins the tug of war?
The act of tugging can improve self-control, confidence, and the link between dogs and their owners. It is a practice that appeals to our instincts, making it a highly effective, motivating, and reinforcing training method. Additionally, it’s a fantastic method to get rid of extra energy and keep your dog cognitively and physically active.
You aren’t allowing your dog to dominate you if you let them “win” during a game of tug. Instead, you’re building a strong rapport with them and showing them that communicating with you can be enjoyable and rewarding. The Dog Sport University’s owner and lead instructor is Dianna L. Santos (KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA, CNWI). “I adore the way that shared holding is described when it comes to tug. She notes that while letting a dog win gives them the chance to celebrate with their reward, it also gives them the great option of choosing to bring the toy back to you on their own. “Though it seems so straightforward, this is a significant departure from the majority of dog-handler interactions. The dog decides to bring the toy back to play instead of demanding the handler bring it or hoarding it away from them. This can advance your relationship and is liberating for the dog.
Tug can also boost self-esteem and aid your dog in maintaining attention on you in noisy surroundings. Northeast K9 Conditioning’s owner and Certified Canine Fitness Trainer (CCFT) is Dr. Erica C. Boling. She started playing tug of war with both of her Belgian Malinois at a young age. When my dog was younger, one thing I used to do was to simply put him in the car and drive him to various locations without paying attention to obedience. As opposed to that, she recalls, it was more like, “Let’s just go and play, so he can see it is fun and, also, he learns to interact and focus on me instead of being all distracted in the environment. “During a game of tug of war, you could see him letting off steam when he was uncomfortable and pressured.
Tug is a terrific approach to train impulse control in dogs who have trouble with it. According to Santos, having a dog that will either wait to go for the toy or drop it when asked is essential to winning the game. The dog will require this capacity in everyday life to control their excitement while maintaining their ability to think.
Why do dogs enjoy tug-of-war games so much?
The truth is that it’s not always clear why dogs enjoy tug of war so much. (At this time, we are unable to inquire of our pets as to what is happening through their minds.)
We have a few reasonable hypotheses as to why dogs enjoy tug of war despite the fact that we are unable to know for certain.
Most academics and contemporary dog trainers agree that there are three key reasons why dogs enjoy tug of war so much.
Reason 1: It’s a Collaborative Game
According to this theory, dogs play tug to build relationships. It’s a pleasant activity that two dogs can engage in.
Tug is a terrific activity to play that employs different muscles and sections of the brain from pursuit or wrestling. Play is a great technique to develop trust between two parties.
However, this does not exactly explain why it is enjoyable. It is reasonable to believe that tug of war has a purpose because the majority of play and games in mammals have a purpose (for example, chase games build muscles and prepare players for the hunt). The following two explanations address it.
Reason 2: It Mimics Predation
According to this idea, pulling on a rope toy is similar to shaking and killing a fictitious prey item. This makes sense because the game serves a purpose.
Your innocent-looking Rover is actually honing his ripping, tearing, and tugging techniques in preparation for when he manages to grab the Easter Bunny! This adds some darkness to that amusing rope toy game, don’t you think?
Personally, I believe that this explanation is more appropriate for dogs who shake, squeak, and then remove the stuffing from squeaky toys. In contrast to this kind of predation, tug of war is a team sport.
Reason 3: It’s Like Tearing Up A Carcass
The concept behind this is that tearing pieces off of a dead animal is the basis for the game of tug. Still gruesome, certainly, but tug is a game centered on removing challenging pieces from a dead elk or deer rather than shaking and killing a small mammal. They may accomplish this on their own by extracting meat off a bone, or two dogs could assist one another in removing food scraps.
The majority of trainers don’t see tug as a sport. Why would Rover return for more when you drop the toy if the objective was to win (in this theory, taking all the meat for themselves)? It’s not a competition; it’s just for fun!
Tug-of-war is a wonderful activity to do with your dog, whether Rover is attempting to finish the hunt by shaking and killing his victim or attempting to rip pieces of food from a bone.
Tug of war is a fantastic method to forge friendships and practice some fundamental skills with some rule-setting.
How long should you and your dog play tug of war?
With your dog, tug is a fun game to do, but there are a few guidelines to follow. Here are some fundamental guidelines to remember when playing tug with your dog:
- Your dog must possess a “release the command or drop it. If necessary, this will enable you to halt the game.
- Use a pull toy that is long enough to prevent your hands from being bit by your dog’s teeth. The toy should be strong and flexible as well.
- When not in use, keep the toy stowed away. It’s a game that you start whenever you feel like playing.
- Teach your dog to only take the toy when you say it is okay. When he sits, start the game while holding the toy up or off to the side. You can persuade him to after he waits to “Grab it. Your dog could be reluctant to play tug if he has never done so before. Allow him to hold onto it while you slowly tug from side to side to encourage him to pull.
- Only tug from side to side, never upwards. Your dog’s vertebrae may be damaged if you pull up on the tug.
- It’s common behavior for your dog to start growling as his excitement level increases. Take a pause if you notice your dog becoming overly animated or intense.
- The game should end right away if you get in contact with your dog’s teeth. Say “If you want the dog to release the toy, ow or yell. Once your dog is peacefully waiting to start over once more, you can direct them to “Take it and begin tugging once more. It’s acceptable to end the game for the day if they repeatedly let their teeth touch your hand. They’ll gradually learn to seize the tug with extra caution.
- Children should not play tug-of-war with your dog unless you are present to supervise and look out for signs of overexcitement.
You and your dog should decide how long your tug matches should last. You may make them last as long as you wish as long as both you and your dog are having fun and it isn’t too much for them. My games with Laika usually only last for around 5 minutes because they are so intense.
Does a dog get aggressive when they play tug of war?
When performed properly and under the right conditions, tug of war does not breed hostility in dogs. Instead, it will provide you with a tool to build a strong bond with your dog.
Even some science supports it. In a 2003 study that appeared in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 50 dog owners and their owners participated in tug-of-war and other similar games. The game itself, according to the researchers, had no appreciable effect on the dogs’ hostility. They even claimed that dogs who engaged in tug of war and fetch had more assured connections with their owners. However, depending on who started the game, hostility was discovered to be a potential problem. If the dog initiated the game, they tended to be less receptive to their owners and more aggressive. People helped the dog develop positive behaviors by initiating the game and establishing the rules.
But it’s crucial to note that you shouldn’t play tug of war with a dog that is already aggressive, a resource guarder (aggressively defends their food, toys, etc.), or who is just beginning to exhibit one of these behaviors. Although playing tug of war won’t make your dog violent, it could amplify any existing undesirable habits or patterns.
When playing tug of war, why do dogs growl?
Your dog can get excited and start growling while you’re playing tug of war. This is expected because the game itself exhibits predatory tendencies. To prevent the game from spiraling out of control, it’s crucial to prevent your dog from becoming extremely excited or aggressive and to take breaks.
- Even when the tail is still wagging, a little growling is generally acceptable, but anything more intense calls for a rest. Take a pause if you begin to feel nervous or uncertain at any time.
- Play should end immediately if your dog’s teeth ever make contact with you. Say your release order, let out a yell, take the toy, and leave the area for at least 30 seconds.
- If you’re playing tug of war, you can let your dog win. It’s a really good idea, in fact. Winning gives the animal more self-confidence and rewards it. In contrast, if the dog misbehaves during the game, you ought to win the toy.
- As long as two dogs get along on a regular basis, they can play tug of war with one another. The same regulations apply, and the game should be watched over. If they don’t obey the rules, take a break because this will prevent things from spiraling out of control.
Stop pulling and use the release command to take a rest. Spend around 30 seconds going through simple directions like sit and down. The game may resume whenever your dog appears to be more at ease.
What makes dogs enjoy belly rubs?
Do belly rubs make your dog happy? The majority of dogs do, and some of them even make a point of requesting belly massages.
Why then do dogs enjoy belly rubs? Dogs enjoy belly rubs because they make them feel happy. Additionally, it causes their brain to respond in a particular way to the stimulation of hair follicles. Dogs prefer belly massages in particular, according to experts, because the stroking of hair is associated with social grooming.
It’s not just a show of submission when your dog rolls over on their back and offers you their tummy; it’s also a statement of trust. They don’t mind displaying this vulnerability for a good, old-fashioned belly rub since belly rubs feel fantastic. The dog is still loving being petted despite the fact that the behavior is servile. It seems like a reasonable trade-off, no?
A dog’s tail has more expressive power than a human’s tongue does, and it can convey more in a matter of seconds.
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Can my dog howl when we’re playing?
The low, menacing growl of a dog can’t be mistaken for anything else. This vocalization is used by dogs in a variety of contexts, including tug-of-war games and protecting their favorite bones. But why do animals growl in the first place? Is it abrasiveness, fear, bossiness, or another emotion? What can you do to change it? Learn why dogs growl, what it signifies, and how to handle it in the following paragraphs.
Play Growls
Growling is a kind of dog communication that has multiple causes, just like barking. Everything depends on the circumstances and the dog. In fact, occasional grumbling can be advantageous. When playing, a lot of dogs groan and whine because they’re enjoying themselves. Have you ever witnessed a dog fight? You probably heard some snarling. Although you might have assumed that meant the roughhousing had gotten out of hand, it was probably all in good fun.
Your dog’s growling during play does not indicate aggression. It simply indicates they’re enjoying themselves. Even during a particularly enjoyable hugging or petting session, your dog can snarl. Many dogs use their growls to express happiness or to greet people. These growls are simply signs of contentment.
Warning Growls
Of course, some growls signify something quite different. A dog may growl in response to being trapped or as a warning to another dog. Another typical sign of resource guarding is growling. A dog that is hurt may frequently growl to keep others away. Growling is a sign that your dog is bothered by something in all of these situations and more.
You can think of these growls as stress growls, as opposed to play and chat growls. They inform you that your dog is in pain. And that’s priceless. Now you may step in and alter the circumstance on your dog’s behalf before your dog feels the need to use more drastic methods like biting.
How to Tell the Difference
How can you distinguish between stress growls and happiness growls? Observe your body language. For instance, if your dog is giving you a play bow or a submissive grin, any growling is probably OK. That growl from your dog is serious if it appears stiff and is glaring at you with a serious expression.
When you are familiar with a dog, the growl’s tone might occasionally be useful as well. You might learn something different from a growl that is loud and higher pitched than one that is low and gentle. When in doubt, though, present yourself as if the growl is a danger. It’s preferable to make a mistake and end a nice game than to misjudge and get hurt, especially when playing with dogs you don’t know well. Teach young children, in particular, to be cautious of any growls.
What Stress Growling Means
Growling under stress is a warning indication. To warn people to back off before the dog is compelled to take further action is their goal. Most dogs are reluctant to bite or attack. To stop the situation from getting worse, they snarl. This provides growls a lot of value. A dog that suddenly strikes is quite dangerous. Respect your dog’s growls for the understanding they provide into his or her emotions and for the opportunity they provide you to step in, assist your dog, and avoid harm.
Don’t Punish Growling
Hopefully, you now understand that growling is something you should never fix. It could be harmless or a sign of stress in your dog. Punishing your dog for growling will only prevent future growling. You won’t have taken any action to solve the root problem. For instance, disciplining your dog for growling while there are other dogs around will make him stop. Your dog will still feel uneasy around other dogs, though. Even worse, you might believe something else because there isn’t any growling. Your dog is still stressed out and could perhaps snap at any moment without notice.
Regrettably, when you correct your dog for growling, you also make the underlying problem worse. For instance, if you punish your dog for snarling at another dog, the other dog will likely assume that your negative response was the other dog’s fault. Now, your dog will be even more uncomfortable. After all, it’s other dogs that make you angry.
How to Handle Growling
The best strategy to handle growling is to identify the source of your dog’s discomfort and then address it. First, adjust the setting as best you can to suit your dog in the here and now. Cross the street, leave the dog park, or do whatever else is necessary to assist your dog unwind if the presence of another dog is upsetting your pet. Back off and let your dog alone if it’s getting too close to their bone.
Next, pinpoint precisely what caused the rumbling. If you can temporarily remove that circumstance from your dog’s life, do so. For instance, avoid taking your dog to the dog park if other dogs stress them out. Stop giving your dog bones if they defend them, and so forth.
Finally, use a behavior modification technique to permanently stop the growling. Desensitization and counterconditioning techniques might alter how your dog feels about the underlying problem that initially made him snarl. You must assist your dog in becoming accustomed to the things that once caused them so much concern for both their safety and your own. These aren’t quick fixes, and a dog trainer or animal behaviorist might be necessary. However, if you control your dog’s environment while helping them get used to their stressors, they should eventually stop needing to stress snarl. But if they do, you’ll be prepared for it now.
Do you need assistance training your dog? In spite of the fact that you might not be able to attend live training sessions during COVID-19, we are still available to you electronically through the AKC GoodDog! Helpline. With the help of this live telephone service, you may speak with a qualified trainer who will provide you with unrestricted, personalized advise on anything from behavioral problems to CGC preparation to getting started in dog sports.
