Rules for TUG & GIVE
How to play tug with your dog (and teach them to give it up).
Playing tug with your dog is a great way to gain their attention, wear off some of that excess energy and use as a motivation tool. Anyone that has watched a flyball race or agility competition, will see just how many dogs are motivated and rewarded by the simple game of tug.
Tug is a naturally rewarding game; this is something that dogs will play frequently with each other, your pant legs, the odd tea towel etc. Using this natural tendency, we can create a fun game for both owner and dog.
What makes a good tug toy?
Rules of Tug
How to Start
Why do we teach a release word?
Teaching give is important. It will give you control over how high your dog’s arousal level is allowed to go. It will also give you a cue that you can use in everyday life – eg you drop a Panadol pack on the floor and your dog picks it up before you have a chance to ask for a leave it. Say your release word “give” and your dog obediently spits the packet into your hand. Disaster avoided.
Teaching “Give” (or whatever cue you decide on)
Don’t forget to restart the game a few times.
My dog is growling, is that bad?
My dog doesn’t like to play tug?
My dog made contact with my skin/clothing.
Tug is a naturally rewarding game; this is something that dogs will play frequently with each other, your pant legs, the odd tea towel etc. Using this natural tendency, we can create a fun game for both owner and dog.
What makes a good tug toy?
- Your toy should be something that feels nice in your dog’s mouth (imagine you had to hold it in your mouth).
- It should be soft and have some stretch to it (protects your dog’s neck, and your shoulder)
- It should be long enough that your fingers are out of the way of accidental teeth.
- It should be machine washable (dog slobber stinks)
- I make my dogs toys out of polar fleece – Using a 4 strand round braid – for instructions click here
- If you are buying toys from the shop, avoid the cotton rope toys and those with balls attached – I have seen veterinary emergencies related to both of these. Gastrointestinal obstructions from the cotton and oesophageal obstructions when the ball has pulled off during a game of tug. Neither you nor your dog wants to go through one of these emergencies.
Rules of Tug
- The tug toy is yours (so you bring it out to play and put it away again after), don’t leave it out for the dog.
- You must choose when to start and finish the game.
- A verbal cue starts the game (“get it”, “ok”, “let’s play”)
- You tell your dog when to release the toy (and they should – suggested words are “give”, “thank you”, “spit it”, “swap” or “off”).
- Any teeth and skin/clothing contact (even if accidental) ends the game
- Always supervise children (active supervision – meaning a responsible adult within arm’s reach) when they play tug with your dog.
How to Start
- Get your tug toy and show it to your dog – snake it around on the ground in front of your dog. When he shows interest say your start cue.
- When he grabs it, get excited, wiggle it around further, have fun.
- Tug up and down, toward your dog and back toward you
- Avoid thrashing side to side
- Start to teach give when your dog has held the tug for 5-10 seconds (any sooner and they will just learn to take it and spit it out).
Why do we teach a release word?
Teaching give is important. It will give you control over how high your dog’s arousal level is allowed to go. It will also give you a cue that you can use in everyday life – eg you drop a Panadol pack on the floor and your dog picks it up before you have a chance to ask for a leave it. Say your release word “give” and your dog obediently spits the packet into your hand. Disaster avoided.
Teaching “Give” (or whatever cue you decide on)
- Once your dog has been reliably playing “tug” with you for 5 or more seconds, show your dog a high value treat (usually BBQ chook works well), and place it under his nose. Say your release work, and when he lets go of the tug to take the treat, click and reward.
- Some dogs will not find food of any kind a high enough reward (trust me – I have one of those dogs). In this case, take hold of their collar, and hold the tug toy still at their nose - say your release word and wait. There should be no pressure on the collar from you, you are merely stopping the ability to tug and therefore what is reinforcing. When the dog lets go, reinforce with either a food reward or re-instigation of the game.
- Repeat repeat repeat.
Don’t forget to restart the game a few times.
My dog is growling, is that bad?
- Growling during play is fine. Watch your dog’s body language; is the rest of the body soft and relaxed? Where are their ears? If you are concerned please consult a positive trainer.
- Aim to control their arousal levels – if the arousal level is escalating, break the play and give your dog a break. Keep the tug sessions short.
My dog doesn’t like to play tug?
- Many dogs need to be taught to play tug. Don’t give up after 1 session.
- Make it fun...really fun.
- Jump around, act like you are having the best time with the tug toy (even without your dog). The neighbours will enjoy the show, even if your dog doesn’t initially.
- When the dog begins to show interest, put the toy away – do this for a few days, and then next time the dog shows interest, engage them in play too.
- Reward for the shorter tug intervals of a few seconds.
- Always end the tug session before the dog is disinterested
- Be careful with your own body language – avoid standing in front of your dog, bending over them, stooping or staring at them.
My dog made contact with my skin/clothing.
- Even if accidental, this should result in an immediate end to the game.
- Say “Oops” and drop the tug and walk away – your dog will probably do a victory lap, but quickly realise it is no fun playing tug by yourself.
- When the dog drops the tug, retrieve it and initiate a new game.