Is tug-o-war creating a monster? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

AIM · 05-03-2005, 09:23 AM

The only game that Lucky enjoys playing with us is tug-o-war with her rope toys. We sometimes toss the rope and she will fetch it so that she can begin another tug-o-war game, but she seems pretty annoyed with the fetching idea. She has no interest in fetching a ball, but she never tires of tug-o-war. I have done some research and found that some trainers believe that tug-o-war basically fuels aggression and encourages the dog to challenge the owner. Lucky doesn't always listen to us and she bites a lot, although she doesn't bite hard. She even growled at me when I gently removed her paws from my chair during dinner. Are we encouraging this behavior by playing tug-o-war with her? The problem is that she isn't interested in any other games, so if we can't play tug, we don't know how to play with her.

chachi · 05-03-2005, 09:33 AM

I don't know if it creates agresstion but chachi did growl and get agressive when we played it with him. We only play this every now and then now. I've read its good in that it helps to loosten their baby teeth so thats an advantage to it.

rrosenberry · 05-03-2005, 09:34 AM

check out " tug of war" in the search .
I posted this exact question earlier.. and got alot of helpful info,,
I have been working on NOT tug of war,, but Bailey also loves to fetch, but he would not release,, it was then tug of war.. so after I would throw it,, hed bring it back and I'd hide my hand and say "DROP IT" and after a few times, when he wouldn't see my hands,, he would drop it,, I couldn't believe it,,cause he LOVED the tug so much,, but it worked,, and I notice since we stopped the T/O/W he is not at all as aggressive.. which is what I wanted and was getting worried about,, he used to sit by me and if I went to move him sometimes he'd growl,.. I said " thats it' They have to learn that YOU are the boss and not them! T.O.W makes them feel superior or equal to you, and you cant have that,.,, check out passed threads on this subject,, there is alot of info.. Good LUck!

AIM · 05-04-2005, 10:48 AM

Thanks for all of the info. I did find a lot of useful advice and information when I searched the issue on this forum. I think that it might be worth stopping the tug game with Lucky to see if her behavior improves, although it is going to be difficult. She's so cute when trots over to us with the big rope toy hanging out of her mouth.

DiOrGiRLy · 05-05-2005, 10:51 AM

Yes, I agree, I always tell my kids not to pull things out of Tiny Baci's mouth because as thay are pulling away Tiny may accidentally bite them...He does seem to get more agressive and hyper when we are playing tug- of-war so I avoid it and if he bites me while trying to get the rope, I say "Tiny no biting!" then he usually stops playing since he gets yelled at

.

yorkieagility · 05-05-2005, 11:40 AM

My dogs don't tug but I have been teaching them to tug-a-war. I don't think there is anything wrong with a tug-a-war but there are rules to follow. But then, I don't have very aggressive dogs. I think if I do, I probably would not tug with it.

StewiesMom · 05-05-2005, 11:57 AM

I agree with YorkieAgility. Its only bad if your dog already has an aggression problem. Stewie plays tug of war with his cousins (big dogs) and he does fine.

yorkipower · 05-05-2005, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AIM

The only game that Lucky enjoys playing with us is tug-o-war with her rope toys. We sometimes toss the rope and she will fetch it so that she can begin another tug-o-war game, but she seems pretty annoyed with the fetching idea. She has no interest in fetching a ball, but she never tires of tug-o-war. I have done some research and found that some trainers believe that tug-o-war basically fuels aggression and encourages the dog to challenge the owner. Lucky doesn't always listen to us and she bites a lot, although she doesn't bite hard. She even growled at me when I gently removed her paws from my chair during dinner. Are we encouraging this behavior by playing tug-o-war with her? The problem is that she isn't interested in any other games, so if we can't play tug, we don't know how to play with her.

As per usual, I agree with Yorkieagility. Not only is tug-of-war not bad, some trainers actually encourage you to do it with your dog! If you watch the top agility trainers in the country, they all play tug-of-war with thier dogs and some even have specially made leashes that can be used, double duty, as tug toys! Tugging creates a partnership with the dog!

TinkerToy · 05-19-2005, 06:27 PM

I took Tinker to a behaviorist awhile ago, and she said it wasn't a problem. She told me to make sure if we are playing with a toy to only shake the toy side to side or up and down, but not pulling it toward you when they pull it away from you. She is an excellent trainer, and she was doing it with her dogs when I was there. I think it is just a yorkie thing. Most yorkies have little attitude, especially the little girls

. I think when Tinker acts like that it has to do with me not playing with her enough sometimes. They are so hyper that if you don't wear them out at least once a day they just don't know what to do with themselves. If you feel that it has become a problem I would go see a behaviorist at least once so she/he could give you some pointers. I did and it helps.

Bodhi'sMom · 05-21-2005, 06:00 PM

Hey, that's some really good info about shaking up/down or left/right instead of towards me. Thanks TinkerToy!

Our dog trainer suggests the following to be played during tug to teach dogs to use a "soft mouth":

Whenever puppy teeth bite you or your clothes, do the "Yelp!" thing.
Stop and look away from the dog for a few counts.
Then give the dog another chance.

If he/she just isn't getting it yet. Take away the fun - You. Walk away.
Since the dog is still in this mode, give him/her something that IS ok to chew on.

I'm sure we've all learned that one. I just never knew there was a way to actually set up the situation.

Bodhi will get too excited when chewing on a cloth item. Like when I don't want to get up as early as him and he is on the bed.

Sometimes he'll bite at me through the blanket and pretend he didn't mean to:

"Yelp!"

"Oh was that you, mom? I can't tell the difference between my toy and the sheet. Umm, like, sorry."

"Yea, right, Bodhi."

Hickey007 · 05-25-2005, 11:29 AM

A friend of mine has a dobie and she taught her to bring something to her every time by playing tug-of-war. She would play with the dog and let the dog "win" (let go of the toy) then say the bring command and the dog would bring it back because in the dogs mind it won and wants to try again. That was her explanation, or something along those lines.

Thanks for the info on hiding your hands, I haven't been able to really teach Reagan to drop something, I just end up playing tug of war with her.

I don't have an opinion on tug-of-war being good or bad but I do think it would be beneficial to teach to dog to stop, whether it be by dropping the toy or just stop pulling or whatever. This way he/she'll know when you don't want to play that game anymore. Then again I guess getting up and walking away is a pretty big clue that you're done as well.

05-03-2005, 09:23 AM	#1
AIM Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 95	Is tug-o-war creating a monster? The only game that Lucky enjoys playing with us is tug-o-war with her rope toys. We sometimes toss the rope and she will fetch it so that she can begin another tug-o-war game, but she seems pretty annoyed with the fetching idea. She has no interest in fetching a ball, but she never tires of tug-o-war. I have done some research and found that some trainers believe that tug-o-war basically fuels aggression and encourages the dog to challenge the owner. Lucky doesn't always listen to us and she bites a lot, although she doesn't bite hard. She even growled at me when I gently removed her paws from my chair during dinner. Are we encouraging this behavior by playing tug-o-war with her? The problem is that she isn't interested in any other games, so if we can't play tug, we don't know how to play with her.

05-03-2005, 09:33 AM	#2
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	I don't know if it creates agresstion but chachi did growl and get agressive when we played it with him. We only play this every now and then now. I've read its good in that it helps to loosten their baby teeth so thats an advantage to it. __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

05-03-2005, 09:34 AM	#3
rrosenberry & Bailey & Bella Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,164	check out " tug of war" in the search . I posted this exact question earlier.. and got alot of helpful info,, I have been working on NOT tug of war,, but Bailey also loves to fetch, but he would not release,, it was then tug of war.. so after I would throw it,, hed bring it back and I'd hide my hand and say "DROP IT" and after a few times, when he wouldn't see my hands,, he would drop it,, I couldn't believe it,,cause he LOVED the tug so much,, but it worked,, and I notice since we stopped the T/O/W he is not at all as aggressive.. which is what I wanted and was getting worried about,, he used to sit by me and if I went to move him sometimes he'd growl,.. I said " thats it' They have to learn that YOU are the boss and not them! T.O.W makes them feel superior or equal to you, and you cant have that,.,, check out passed threads on this subject,, there is alot of info.. Good LUck! __________________ Rhonda, Bailey, Josie and my angel Bella Rue' "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." ~Anatole France~

05-05-2005, 10:51 AM	#5
DiOrGiRLy YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusettes Posts: 547	Yes, I agree, I always tell my kids not to pull things out of Tiny Baci's mouth because as thay are pulling away Tiny may accidentally bite them...He does seem to get more agressive and hyper when we are playing tug- of-war so I avoid it and if he bites me while trying to get the rope, I say "Tiny no biting!" then he usually stops playing since he gets yelled at . __________________ DiOrGiRLy tiny's dogster page Tiny Piccolo Baci's Fotki Album

05-05-2005, 11:57 AM	#7
StewiesMom Stewie Rox the Sox Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 6,306	I agree with YorkieAgility. Its only bad if your dog already has an aggression problem. Stewie plays tug of war with his cousins (big dogs) and he does fine. __________________ Kristy & Stewie

05-04-2005, 10:48 AM	#4
AIM Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 95	Thanks for all of the info. I did find a lot of useful advice and information when I searched the issue on this forum. I think that it might be worth stopping the tug game with Lucky to see if her behavior improves, although it is going to be difficult. She's so cute when trots over to us with the big rope toy hanging out of her mouth.

05-05-2005, 11:40 AM	#6
yorkieagility YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: House Of York Posts: 1,079	My dogs don't tug but I have been teaching them to tug-a-war. I don't think there is anything wrong with a tug-a-war but there are rules to follow. But then, I don't have very aggressive dogs. I think if I do, I probably would not tug with it.

05-19-2005, 06:27 PM	#9
TinkerToy Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Austin,TX Posts: 76	I took Tinker to a behaviorist awhile ago, and she said it wasn't a problem. She told me to make sure if we are playing with a toy to only shake the toy side to side or up and down, but not pulling it toward you when they pull it away from you. She is an excellent trainer, and she was doing it with her dogs when I was there. I think it is just a yorkie thing. Most yorkies have little attitude, especially the little girls . I think when Tinker acts like that it has to do with me not playing with her enough sometimes. They are so hyper that if you don't wear them out at least once a day they just don't know what to do with themselves. If you feel that it has become a problem I would go see a behaviorist at least once so she/he could give you some pointers. I did and it helps.

05-21-2005, 06:00 PM	#10
Bodhi'sMom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lynnwood Posts: 154	Hey, that's some really good info about shaking up/down or left/right instead of towards me. Thanks TinkerToy! Our dog trainer suggests the following to be played during tug to teach dogs to use a "soft mouth": Whenever puppy teeth bite you or your clothes, do the "Yelp!" thing. Stop and look away from the dog for a few counts. Then give the dog another chance. If he/she just isn't getting it yet. Take away the fun - You. Walk away. Since the dog is still in this mode, give him/her something that IS ok to chew on. I'm sure we've all learned that one. I just never knew there was a way to actually set up the situation. Bodhi will get too excited when chewing on a cloth item. Like when I don't want to get up as early as him and he is on the bed. Sometimes he'll bite at me through the blanket and pretend he didn't mean to: "Yelp!" "Oh was that you, mom? I can't tell the difference between my toy and the sheet. Umm, like, sorry." "Yea, right, Bodhi."

05-25-2005, 11:29 AM	#11
Hickey007 YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 789	A friend of mine has a dobie and she taught her to bring something to her every time by playing tug-of-war. She would play with the dog and let the dog "win" (let go of the toy) then say the bring command and the dog would bring it back because in the dogs mind it won and wants to try again. That was her explanation, or something along those lines. Thanks for the info on hiding your hands, I haven't been able to really teach Reagan to drop something, I just end up playing tug of war with her. I don't have an opinion on tug-of-war being good or bad but I do think it would be beneficial to teach to dog to stop, whether it be by dropping the toy or just stop pulling or whatever. This way he/she'll know when you don't want to play that game anymore. Then again I guess getting up and walking away is a pretty big clue that you're done as well. __________________ Courtney