Playing Tug of War with a pup?

johnp · Feb 6, 2008

With my lab I never played tug and I am still having a problem breaking her hard mouth, our boxer on the other hand I played it with her since she was a puppy. Both drop on command without a problem. Just the boxer actually has a far softer mouth than my lab does.

Mike Tome · Feb 6, 2008

I play tug with my dog. He has a very soft mouth and it is no issue at all. Others may jump in to verify whether this is correct or not, but I would think that a good force fetch program teaches the dog that "mouth control" is up to the handler. There's a time to hold, a time to release, and for fun, a time to tug.

I have never had a problem with my dog wanting to play keep away when I was serious. I believe he understands the difference between play time and serious time.

Mike

Rick_C · Feb 6, 2008

My pup has these rubber/plastic rings that were left over from another dog that she absolutely loves! She hardly goes anywhere without them. Even carries them outside while airing. I and my kids played tug of war with her when she was little and you couldn't get her to drop them for anything. I've since broken her of that and she'll hook one on my foot while sitting on the couch and tug away but the moment I put my hand on the ring, she drops it. Without a verbal command (she hasn't been FF yet).

So the answer is, I don't play tug of war with my hands anymore. If I put my hand out or grab something she's carrying, it is dropped immediately.

Scout · Feb 6, 2008

Thanks for all the respones. I think I am going to just wait and see what the dogs personality is. I do have the Merten's DVD I am going to have to go back and watch that part.

Playing Tug of War with a pup?

johnp

Mike Tome

Rick_C

Scout

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