Do you play "Tug of War" with your Yorkie? - Page 2 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

kewtee · 02-05-2006, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BabyFidgette

Hi Everyone,

I know I've heard a lot about how you shouldn't play Tug of War with your dog because it can cause aggression. But I do play it with Baby. The reason I do is this...when I go to take the toy out of her mouth she starts to pull back, hence we're now playing Tug of War. When I take my hand off, she comes back towards me and either puts her paw or the toy in my hand as to say, "pull it more Mommy." She never gets mad if I try to take it or runs away with the toy. I think maybe it feels good on her teeth. What do you all think?

Thanks!

I think it is wonderful that you play with her! Saying that it causes aggrassion is like saying that computers are causing laziness in kids - bull.... - the parents should play with their children, that would inspire non-laziness.

OF COURSE the dog growls and gets excited - what do you expect, it's a dog?
When I play it with mine, they growl and show their teeth and get all worked up to the point where they sometimes accidentally bites my fingers and then remembers that that is mom and not the rope.
We have sooo much fun! I swing them around (gently of course) and throw the rope and they come back, tails wagging for more

What you should be careful at though is not to tug to sudden, jerking the rope is bad since it can hurt their neck.

Mine love it when I shake the rope now and then but this you also have to be careful with when playing with tinies since shaking it too violently can cause concussion.

But other than that - play all you want and don't stop when your dog gets excited. Just remember to have fresh water near by for a drink after playing - both for you and the dog

NewYorkieMa&Pa · 02-07-2006, 08:33 AM

Our boy Chowie enjoys playing Tug with us or with his gf Lowie, however as soon as I started playing that with him, he learned "drop it" and "let go". He is very good about it too. I get down on all fours and I play growl back but I really believe he understands it is in all good sport based on his actions when he gets the command to release.

(I am big into them understanding that I and Daddy are the pack leaders.)

This experince, IMHO, helps when they have things they should not have... So I say go for it as long as there are boundaries and like anything with puppies those can be easily established.

BabyFidgette · 02-07-2006, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewYorkieMa&Pa

Our boy Chowie enjoys playing Tug with us or with his gf Lowie, however as soon as I started playing that with him, he learned "drop it" and "let go". He is very good about it too. I get down on all fours and I play growl back but I really believe he understands it is in all good sport based on his actions when he gets the command to release.

(I am big into them understanding that I and Daddy are the pack leaders.)

This experince, IMHO, helps when they have things they should not have... So I say go for it as long as there are boundaries and like anything with puppies those can be easily established.

I REALLY need to teach "drop it." Baby snatches whatever I drop on the floor and runs around like a mad dog. I have to shake the treat carton to get her to come running. How should I teach "drop it?" Thanks!

NewYorkieMa&Pa · 02-07-2006, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BabyFidgette

I REALLY need to teach "drop it." Baby snatches whatever I drop on the floor and runs around like a mad dog. I have to shake the treat carton to get her to come running. How should I teach "drop it?" Thanks!

What I did is play with the rope toy with Chowie up close and personal. So I would wrestle for a few then switch up my tone and say "let go" (if he is tugging at me) or "drop it" (if he has it and my hands are not on it). He heard the tone inflection, I believe, and he felt me trying to take it away where he would just let go. Then a few more times we would play and do it again until we got to the point I would not tug it away and just repeat the comands and he would do as I said.

GOOD BOY!!! Always positive reinforcement after he did it however it was done w/o treats. I did this because if we are in the streets somewhere and he gets a hold of something he should not, I don't want him to think of it as an exchange when I have nothing to exchange with. Just my mentality and it worked!

I am sure treating is just as good and even better for the pup (according to his tummy of course lol

)

Good luck!!!

Princessyorkies · 02-07-2006, 01:20 PM

Mine love to play tug of war but they all know their limits...Once one gets out of control they no longer get to play.

teri88 · 02-07-2006, 02:26 PM

This is Tucker's very favorite game. I know they say it can cause aggresiveness, but Tucker is the most non aggresive dog in the world! In fact, if he has something in his mouth I don't want him to have I just take my finger and stick it in the side of his mouth and as soon as he feels that it's my finger he lets go.

BabyFidgette · 02-12-2006, 12:06 PM

This is when I DON'T want Baby to play tug of war. When I'm trying to put on my socks!!!

klogan · 02-14-2006, 02:58 PM

Of course...Stomper is a dog you know!!!! Just kidding! I do. I know people say not to, but he knows it is just "playing" so it is not a problem.

AngieDoogles · 02-19-2006, 08:30 AM

It's one of Marty's favorite games! I think my husband likes it even more than him though. LOL

Amber_lv · 08-20-2006, 09:30 PM

I play it to i try not to but he is so cute i can't help myself

newmommy · 08-21-2006, 11:42 AM

i do sometimes but not a lot

kriston · 08-21-2006, 08:37 PM

Yes, I do... Bear truly loves to play "tug", but Lola flat out refuses to.

Emmsmom · 08-23-2006, 04:10 PM

We do all the time! Diesel LOVES it !!He will even bring the toy to you when he wants to play. He has built up so many muscles doing this that you can lift him off of the floor with his baby! Of course we aren't talking a good ways off the floor but a few inches at least. H e wouldn't let go one day so y husband SLOWLY started to lift his hand up in the air and Disel just would not let go! Playing this game has made him a very "buff" little man I must say. I have never noticed any aggression at all! He knows who the boss is. LOL All you ahve to do is sniff around his ears and will instantly roll over.

Michelle

elcameno · 09-03-2007, 01:04 PM

I wonder if it is bad for their new adult teeth. I have just noticed an over-bite with our yorkie. I wonder if it could have happened because of playing tug of war with her toys?
elcameno

vviccles1 · 09-03-2007, 08:50 PM

Yes! He has a pastel rope toy specifically for the game which we play often, we also play tug o war with some of his stuffed animals as well,fun...

View Poll Results: Do you play "Tug of War" with your Yorkie?
Yes	149	88.17%
No	12	7.10%
I used to, but don't anymore	8	4.73%
Voters: 169. You may not vote on this poll

02-07-2006, 08:33 AM	#17
NewYorkieMa&Pa Donating YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 682	We play... Our boy Chowie enjoys playing Tug with us or with his gf Lowie, however as soon as I started playing that with him, he learned "drop it" and "let go". He is very good about it too. I get down on all fours and I play growl back but I really believe he understands it is in all good sport based on his actions when he gets the command to release. (I am big into them understanding that I and Daddy are the pack leaders.) This experince, IMHO, helps when they have things they should not have... So I say go for it as long as there are boundaries and like anything with puppies those can be easily established. __________________ Life is like a box of Godiva chocolates, it won't last forever... so savor every moment!

02-07-2006, 02:26 PM	#21
teri88 Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 4,021	This is Tucker's very favorite game. I know they say it can cause aggresiveness, but Tucker is the most non aggresive dog in the world! In fact, if he has something in his mouth I don't want him to have I just take my finger and stick it in the side of his mouth and as soon as he feels that it's my finger he lets go. __________________ Teri Owned by and completely devoted to Tucker... Maddie, we will always love you *Bandit, you are always in my heart* Proud Member SSLS

02-14-2006, 02:58 PM	#23
klogan YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 661	Of course...Stomper is a dog you know!!!! Just kidding! I do. I know people say not to, but he knows it is just "playing" so it is not a problem. __________________ Kimberly & Stomper

02-19-2006, 08:30 AM	#24
AngieDoogles Mom to Marty & Maddie Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: TN Posts: 2,995 Blog Entries: 1	It's one of Marty's favorite games! I think my husband likes it even more than him though. LOL __________________ Marty Maddie

02-07-2006, 01:20 PM	#20
Princessyorkies Owned by my Furbabies Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,482	Mine love to play tug of war but they all know their limits...Once one gets out of control they no longer get to play.

08-20-2006, 09:30 PM	#25
Amber_lv Peeka Boo I See You! Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Salt Lake Posts: 7,161 Blog Entries: 3	I play it to i try not to but he is so cute i can't help myself __________________ Peeka-Boo-Daisy-Designs <---Click Here Peeka's MyspaceDaisy's Myspace Peeka's Dogster

08-21-2006, 11:42 AM	#26
newmommy Keep Me Away From eBay Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 2,109	i do sometimes but not a lot __________________ There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face!!

08-21-2006, 08:37 PM	#27
kriston Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: W. KY Posts: 693	Yes, I do... Bear truly loves to play "tug", but Lola flat out refuses to. __________________ Kriston Very Proud to be Lola, Ted, & baby Chip's Human! "Puppy kisses are GOOOOOD medicine!"

08-23-2006, 04:10 PM	#28
Emmsmom YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 989	We do all the time! Diesel LOVES it !!He will even bring the toy to you when he wants to play. He has built up so many muscles doing this that you can lift him off of the floor with his baby! Of course we aren't talking a good ways off the floor but a few inches at least. H e wouldn't let go one day so y husband SLOWLY started to lift his hand up in the air and Disel just would not let go! Playing this game has made him a very "buff" little man I must say. I have never noticed any aggression at all! He knows who the boss is. LOL All you ahve to do is sniff around his ears and will instantly roll over. Michelle

09-03-2007, 01:04 PM	#29
elcameno Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: fairfield Posts: 30	playing tug of war I wonder if it is bad for their new adult teeth. I have just noticed an over-bite with our yorkie. I wonder if it could have happened because of playing tug of war with her toys? elcameno

09-03-2007, 08:50 PM	#30
vviccles1 YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Beverly,MA Posts: 650	Yes! He has a pastel rope toy specifically for the game which we play often, we also play tug o war with some of his stuffed animals as well,fun...