Teaching Your Dog Tug of War

Playing dog tug of war with your pup is an incredibly effective way for your dog to tap into his natural predatory behavior and burn energy through solid mental and physical stimulation. It also helps you to bond with your dog on a very deep level and communicate with your companion during a heightened state of play, which can serve you throughout your dog’s entire life. Playing tug with your dog is powerful stuff! In this article, I’m going to teach you how to safely incorporate tug of war into his regular training, play and exercise routine.

I’m assuming you’ve read my “Fear of Dog Aggression is NO Reason to avoid Playing Tug” article. If you haven’t already, I strongly urge you to do it immediately so you have a full understanding of how influential and amazing playing dog tug of war can be for your four-legged friend. It also clearly explains why you must put your worries about dominance and aggression aside and learn to tap into a potent training and exercise tool that your dog will love in every way.

“Did you have to use a pic of my colorful jolly tug instead of a bad-ass tug? What about my rep?” } Halle

In my first article, I mention that playing tug-of-war CAN get rough and does require very strict boundaries and rules to keep the sessions fun and safe. I also outline the critical rules for safe play which are:

1. Dog Lets Go on cue every time, NO Exception.
2. Dog doesn’t Touch or Take without your Permission.
3. No Teeth Contact on anything other than Tug Toy.

Before we cover how to actually teach your dog to become a responsible and happy tugger, I want to outline the different pieces to the puzzle. I’ve been planning this post for some time and feel that covering the different components individually will help tremendously when it comes to actually training your dog to tug in a safe and responsible manner.

The end goal is to help you pick up some tug toys and begin teaching your dog this wonderful game, which will do wonders for all parties involved. Let’s get right to it!

“I love to Play Tug – What a RUSH!” } Halle

Tag-Team Sport!

Let’s take dominance and pack structure and throw it out the window on this one. While we’re at it, let’s also take the concept of winning and losing and leave it on the sidelines as well. Good smart responsible tugging isn’t about any of that. Don’t get caught up in all the misinformation out there regarding the topic of ‘losing your boss status’ when your dog ‘wins’ or (on the flipside) grooming an aggressive dog when you ‘lose’.

So-called control or aggression issues usually stem from other affairs like object guarding dilemmas or the failure to institute a strong release command.

I want you to think of playing tug of war with your dog as a tag-team sport. One of the best tag-team sports you can play just about anywhere. Like in any sport, there has to be officiating rules. Your dog’s sole purpose is to focus on playing the game, which makes YOU in charge of the rules.

Here’s how we at HBD like to explain dog tug of war:

The dual role can be tricky and will take some time to master but no worries, this step-by-step article has you covered. If you follow the information in this article (and remain responsible and committed to the process of teaching your dog) then you will train a joyful power-tugger in no time.

You and your dog will benefit tremendously from the rigorous physical exercise and mental stimulation. You’ll also be quite surprised how many calories you’ll personally burn in the process.

Caution!

I’ll be mentioning some important caution tips throughout but keep in mind that the goal is for the game to be safe at all times. You have to ease your dog into this and remain mindful of everything I’m going to outline on this page. You don’t want to progress to full-on tugging if your dog has aggression issues, does not release objects during the initial phases or engages tugging in a manner that feels dangerous.

Remember – Extreme Fun and Safety at all costs! Things can get out of control really quick if you’re not alert.

Use your awareness and be honest during every stage of teaching this amazing game. If you’re not sure about something or seem to be having problems, we strongly urge you to consult with a positive dog trainer in your local area. We also always welcome your questions in the comments section below.

Designated Tug Toys

The golden rule is to use a special toy designated only for tugging. We personally like to assign up to two toys for tugging. This ensures the dog has a backup tug that he’s familiar with when one is due for retirement. Sometimes introducing a new toy cold turkey (when your dog has been conditioned for one) might require a little extra integration. Alternating between two is also helpful when you have different tug shape requirements, whether you’re just playing or using a specific tug for training rewards. You can of course, go with only one toy. But getting your dog accustomed to two, and NO more, is ideal.

I’m planning a post with some of our favorite tug recommendations in the coming weeks. Join our Free Dog Newsletter to stay on top of upcoming posts! In the meantime, make sure the toy you buy is durable and suitable for the size of your dog. If your dog is a super power tugger then be prepared to invest in new tugs as needed.

There’s another important rule that many dog owners, even owners that play tug with their dogs on a regular basis, sometimes overlook:

Only bring out the designated tug toy when it’s time to play the game.

Otherwise, keep the toy stored out of sight. This way your dog learns to understand that he only plays tug when the referee says so. Hiding the tug toy also allows for the dog to kick into an excited driven state whenever it’s presented, which facilitates the whole game.

You don’t want your dog trying to initiate the game at will or anytime you approach his tug toy - or any other toy for that matter. Also, the value of the tug toy coming out of a magic hidden place is more exciting than a tug that’s always in sight.

The Release Cue

The release cue counts for one one-third of the critical rules of engagement we’ll be discussing in just a bit. Your dog should be conditioned to release objects on command before you can actually play dog tug of war.

You might have to set aside a few quick training sessions across a few days in order to establish this very important cue.

Figure out what cue word you want to use. You can go with “give” “drop” “let” or whatever else you like.

Then get some really tasty mini treats ready and begin.

The 5 Step Process

1. Start by offering your dog the toy. Let him grab it between his teeth. If he resists or doesn’t want it, leave it by his side. You can also try shaking the tug toy a little bit to get your dog excited about it.

2. Show him the treat wait for your dog to release. Once you have full possession, reward with a treat and praise “good dog”. If you leave it by his side, take it back and reward.

3. Then progress to hiding the treat behind your back or keeping it in a treat pouch. Introduce the cue (designated word) and wait for the release. You want your dog to let go on his own will and then reward him with a treat and praise.

4. Once your dog has learned to let go for a hidden treat and responds to your cue, keep practicing. You want to be sure your dog clearly understands the required behavior before proceeding to teaching the actual game.

5. Spread this exercise out into several 5 minutes training sessions throughout the day. Stay consistent and be patient. You can also use a clicker or reward marker the instant your dog releases before rewarding. Read my “Clicker Training for Dogs” series if you want to know more about marking events.

You can practice this with other objects because a good release command is priceless and has many practical life applications. We’ve trained Halle to respond to “Give” and “Drop”. “Give” means she gives it to us at our feet or in our hand. “Drop” means she lets go of whatever’s in her mouth regardless of where she’s standing. With tugging we use “Give” as her release command.

If your dog tends to run away or tries to flee with the object, don’t chase after him. Ignore him and soon enough the toy will come around. You can also make sure you always keep one hand on the toy at all times to avoid this issue during “Release” training. You could also keep the tug toy tethered on a rope or strong cord. As you teach your dog the amazing game of tugging, he’ll quickly learn to stay close, even when you let go, because there’s nothing more exciting than having you tugging with him. Not even a game of boring old single-player chase!

Other Important Cues

You can establish a cue for tipping off that you’re about to play the game – sort of like the tug equivalent of “Want to Go Outside?” However, pulling out the designated tug toy should be more than enough to send your power tugger into a happy frenzy. Having a cue to announce the game isn’t necessary but valuable. We say, “Want to TUG?” You should see those precious Weimaraner eyes light up!

The only other vital cue aside from the very important release cue is the official “Start” cue. This will signal your dog to begin tugging. You can use “GetGet” “Tug”, “Check”, “Take” or whatever else suits you and your best friend as long as it’s exclusive to this game. We say “Take” for when we tell Halle to grab stuff so we chose not to use it for tugging. Come up with a cue that will be mutually exclusive to playing tug with your dog.

Halle’s cue for starting dog tug of war is “Kill It!” We sometimes put on a show for Friends and Family of Halle, performing all kinds of different tricks. Playing some fierce tug is the dangerous (wink wink) part of the show. Using a cue like “Kill It!” always incites reaction from watchers and adds a little oomph to the spectacle! We also decided to go with that specific cue because it’s very distinct sounding and much different than any of the other cues Halle already knows. I still smile at the thought of such a lethal cue used to play tug with our cutesy little Barbarian.

The reason why it’s ideal to opt for a distinct and exclusive cue is to ensure that it’s never accidentally used in a manner that might incite your dog to kick into super tugger mode when there’s no game being played.

We personally prefer not to use any gestures or non-vocal cues like we do for many of the other commands that we teach. When it comes to tugging we keep it strictly vocal, using the “Start” cue along with the visual of the actual tug toy. We want the dog to associate the combination of both as the official whistle that allows the game to begin. In other words - No tugging allowed unless both toy and “Start” cue are clearly presented.

Shy Tuggers

Some dogs won’t be too excited about playing or even grabbing the toy between their teeth. This might be due to confidence issues or due to some kind of prior history. Don’t give up on these shy tuggers.

As I mentioned above, for the release command, start by just leaving the toy by their side and taking it back in exchange for a reward. Try to get your shy tugger excited about every little step. Even if the dog just holds it for a second, praise and treat. You might have to take baby steps to build your dog’s confidence and that’s completely fine.

You could also try different tug toys or tugs with built-in squeakers in order to incite a sturdy or substantial response. Get animated if needed.

If you’ve already begun teaching your dog about other cues or if your dog loves to play ball, set up a small training session or game of ball and seamlessly integrate some steps to begin tugging. See if your dog’s responds better when his drive has already been kicked up a notch.

There are of course some dogs that just won’t play tug at all. No worries, there are plenty of other games you can play. Just don’t give up after one or two tries because many shy tuggers can be converted by changing up the variables and putting in a little extra effort.

Strict Rules of Engagement

It’s time to go over the rules for dog tug of war. None of these should be taken lightly and are all extremely critical for safe play. They are also foundation from which you can clearly teach and train your dog to become a power tugger.

If your dog breaks any of the rules, you will offer a STRIKE. Don’t worry, nothing bad or physically punishing. Strikes are how you, the referee, can enforce the rules. Consider a Strike the same as a Red Flag, I’m going to clearly explain STRIKES and how they work in the next section of this article.

1. Dog lets go on cue every time, NO Exception.

When engaged in tugging, saying the “Release” cue means the dog lets go of tug toy. You want to try this out with some LIGHT tugging at first to see if your dog is focused. As you progress, see if your dog lets go at a heightened state.

In the beginning, allow for 2-3 seconds tops in order to give your dog the opportunity to let go, especially if he’s in a revved up state. During the learning phase, a couple seconds MAX CAN be permitted.

Once you progress to instant release or feel the dog clearly understands what you expect of him then you CANNOT under any circumstance give any leeway. No more than ONE second to release and that’s it. In other words, once you’ve established the cue and your dog has delivered several successful releases, don’t backstep and give your dog time to decide. Stay firm and consistent if you want your dog to remain disciplined with this critical first rule.

If your dog takes too long to let go or won’t let go then your dog gets a STRIKE.

2. Dog doesn’t Touch or Take without your Permission.

Once you pull out the tug toy, your dog should get excited but be very polite and wait for the invitation to play. He shouldn’t be grabbing and lunging at the tug toy before you begin playing. It took a little time for Halle to get over this urge. We now accept a little nose-to-toy contact or happy lick followed by a backward hop (mostly cause she simply can’t help it!) when we present the toy but nothing more or else it’s a STRIKE!

“Hey, I’m a Weim! I have to cheat or take a inch every chance I get!” } Halle

Also, between each tugging period, there should be no attempts at initiating, biting or tugging until the “Start” cue has been presented. Any soft or bold attempts should result in an immediate STRIKE.

If your dog just can’t wait and starts doing crazies or losing his mind, it’s simple – STRIKE! He’ll be quite stunned and amazed at how good of a referee you can be! :)

Don’t get lazy with this important rule because dogs will take an inch and roll with it. Teach your dog that being polite and patiently waiting for the “Start” cue is the only way to play, no exceptions.

3. No Teeth Contact on anything other than Tug Toy.

There’s no leniency on this one. If you feel your dog’s teeth on your skin or clothes at any moment – scream “ouch” and give your dog a STRIKE.

You should say “ouch” or “eeek – that’s not nice” even if it doesn’t hurt. You have to make it very clear than human skin is extremely sensitive. This will also help your dog learn bite inhibition and jaw control, which is crucial in all areas of life, particularly when playing with other dogs and kids.

A dog’s mouth is like the equivalent of a human hand. Dogs can be very precise in how they use their mouth. They manipulate their mouths in the same manner that we use our hands – performing various actions like picking up stuff.

With some constructive feedback and clear concise information, your dog will learn to avoid touching you with his teeth very quickly.

Also keep in mind that accidents can and do happen. It’s your job to be extra vigilant when tugging and manipulating the tug toy. Keep your eyes focused and be very aware as you play to minimize any potential mistakes.

Please repeat after me – human skin contact is an instant STRIKE!

Strikes Explained!

It’s time I explain this powerful action that you have in your referee arsenal. A STRIKE is basically a time out. The game, regardless of the stage you’re at, abruptly ends whenever a rule is broken.

This means, everything stops! You put the tug toy away or out of reach and ignore your dog for anywhere between 30 seconds and a few minutes depending on how long you feel your dog needs to settle down. You’ll get used to assessing what time frame is adequate once your dog learns the ropes. A pro tugger might only need a few seconds to be reminded that the rules are still in effect and that there’s no special treatment now that he’s a superstar tugger. Beginner tuggers might need a little more time to connect the dots and realize which mistakes are causing this boring timeout.

We all know how STRIKES work right?
3 STRIKES and you’re out.

In other words, game ends for the day or for a few hours, at the very least. Three STRIKES might seem like a lot but that amount works just fine. Although, if like, stick to just ONE or even TWO. Regardless, make sure you accept no more than 3 STRIKES or you might find yourself messing up the entire training process. Again, use your own discretion. Many times, ending the game for the day will do wonders for getting your dog tuned into how serious you are about the rules. Adjust the number of STRIKES to your tolerance level and dog but max out at three please.

“I hold the world record for the quickest 3 Strikes at Tugging EVER – 2 and half minutes! Wait… that’s not a good thing is it?” } Halle

STRIKES are vital and very important in order to establish some sort of consequence for breaking the rules. Playing tug will become very important to your dog so he’ll quickly learn to show good sportsmanship in order to stay out of the penalty box.

This whole concept is simple yet you might sometimes find it difficult to execute. This difficulty could be for a number of reasons. For example, you’ve been waiting to play tug and you’re just as excited about it as your dog. So when you begin, your dog keeps breaking rules, which leads you to you second-guess on giving STRIKES because you don’t want to end the experience so quickly.

Don’t ever feel bad when your dog looks confused or sad when the game ends. It’s all good. If you’re consistent and clear, it’s all good.

Don’t slack off and you’ll very quickly see progress. Getting lazy or inconsistent will muddle up the entire process. Even star tuggers make mistakes and need a few penalty minutes every now and then.

If you can master your STRIKE frequency, consistency and timing, with practice you’ll be literally blown away by your dog’s tugging skills. Your furry friend will also appreciate your fairness and clear rules which will allow him to focus on becoming a better player.

Training for Dog Tug of War

First the good news! With all the nuts and bolts out of the way and all the bases I’ve covered to this point, the training process will be pretty straightforward.

We’ve already addressed all the principal concerns, critical rules and tug components. In this section, I’m basically going to walk you through the actual dog tugging game so you have a clear picture of how it all comes together.

I would recommend playing at home or in an indoor space at first. You can start by introducing this game outside but it’s not ideal given the possible distractions. The great thing about dog tug of war is that it can be played in a minimal amount of space so take advantage of that, especially in the beginning stages. Also avoid slippery surfaces as they can cause injuries, like a pulled muscle, during intense play.

10 Steps…

1. When you decide it’s time to play. Announce the game (tip-off cue) if you have a special phrase you use or simply pull out the tug toy and watch your dog go nuts.

2. Have your dog sit or wait and get yourself together to begin play.

3. Look at your dog and smile. Say the “Start” cue and allow your dog to begin tugging. Start with light tugging and then ask for “Release”. You can mark and use a treat reward for a successful “Release” if you like but don’t make a habit of it. Eating goodies and tugging don’t mix very well, especially with dogs that get too excited and guzzle down treats without breathing. You can use treats at first but eventually the opportunity to PLAY AGAIN is the reward for letting go. Allowing another chance to tug will become reinforcing enough to omit treats altogether. Treats are good in the beginning but should be phased out relatively quickly.

4. After some good releases you can allow for more rigorous tugging. Dog Growling and making fierce sounds is permitted and perfectly normal. Your dog furiously shaking his head is also fine. No worries. After a minute or so, ask for a “Release”. If there’s a delay or if your dog refuses – STRIKE.

5. As your dog gets better, allow for longer tugging intervals. Try to keep eye contact with your dog when possible or when he’s looking at you with the tug toy in his mouth. Exude positive energy and praise him for good behavior and smart tugging. You can also eventually add in a little bit of touching or petting as he’s tugging to get him used to contact. Always be mindful and use baby steps to build and mold the tugging experience into something very special.

6. Next, you should mix in some fun obedience training and other cues like “Sit”, “Down”, “Paw”, “Turn” or whatever else your dog already knows between each “Release” and “Start” cue in order to mix it up and keep your dog focused. Alternating with some mental exercises will provide a double whammy of benefits. Sometimes, we mix in all sorts of different games and training between tugging sessions to make the entire routine extra fun and unpredictable.

7. If your dog bites you or you feel his teeth, remember to go “OUCH” and pause with a STRIKE even if it doesn’t hurt. No exceptions and zero tolerance for this infraction.

8. Though it’s all right to have your dog stand on hind legs for quick bursts when tugging or even getting lifted off the ground, we prefer to keep the tug low to avoid any unnecessary pressure on the hips and joints. We do allow some jumping up but nothing too excessive. Our ‘natural’ veterinarian initially recommended reducing jumping and the like during play, and we definitely agree. Just be mindful. You also want to avoid forcing any quick and awkward neck turns or twists. Roll with your dog and feel your dog’s movements.

9. If you come to 3 STRIKES, or less depending on your allowed threshold, stop the game completely and resume on another day. Or you can try waiting until the session has been (for lack of a better term) forgotten.

10. Mix things up, pull sometimes and at other times, allow your dog to do the pulling and yanking. Like I mentioned in the very beginning of this article, don’t worry about winning and losing. Tag-team sport all the way! For the most part you should have possession of the toy after each release. Every now and then, you can say “Take” or whatever other cues you might use to give your dog the toy for a few supervised minutes. The dog will love having a burst of alone time with the toy. Kindly ask for a “Release” or “Drop” and take it back to restart tugging. You can also tug and always keep possession of the toy. No worries. Your dog will love playing the game for what is it. It’s not a win or lose scenario when the game has been established to be played a specific way.

That pretty much sums it up! By now you have virtually all the information you need to get your dog playing tug like a champ! :)

Once your dog gets better with the game, it’s time to take the show on the road. You can introduce the tug game outdoors, at the park or wherever you like.

Infinity and Beyond!

If you’ve been reading our other dog training articles and HBD posts then you know that there are always variables and conditions to every rule. Nothing is ever definite when it comes to working with animals.

Don’t be shy to ask for help if needed and never push or over-exert your dog or take any chances if you feel the game is becoming too rough or unsafe. Always play it smart and be responsible.

Also, all behavior is prone to fluctuation so you must be committed to practicing and playing dog tug of war on a regular basis in order to make it second nature for your canine friend.

The training and learning never stops!

With time, you’ll be able to integrate tugging into your training sessions making it a powerful reward alongside treats and praise. Tugging can be a very strong training power-up.

Tugging also sets the stage for teaching consequence and effect at a very high level of play, which makes concise communication the cornerstone of your training sessions. Your dog will respond very quickly once he understands this black-and-white concept.

I really hope you find this article useful and I count on you taking everything I mentioned seriously. This post turned out to be much longer than expected but it’s been worth it and I’ve really enjoyed writing it. Please share with friends and other dog owners that might find it useful. Thanks for reading!

Last but not least, please do me a favor a leave a comment below. I want to hear anything and everything you might have to say about your dog tug of war experiences. Post your questions and share your stories!