Is Tug of War Bad for My Dog?

Tug carries an old warning: let the dog win and you will raise a dominant brute. That warning has not held up. Studies have not found that tug promotes aggressive or dominant behavior, and many sports trainers use it as a high-value reward. What matters is how you play.

Why tug is worth keeping

Tug taps a natural drive, which makes it one of the best rewards you own for training. It burns physical and mental energy in minutes. It builds confidence in worried dogs, gives over-aroused dogs a legal outlet, and it is one of the cleanest ways to teach impulse control: the game pauses until your dog waits, and restarts when they release on cue. Let your dog win regularly. A dog who wins the toy and chooses to bring it back for another round is learning that you are the fun, not the competition.

The rules of a good game

• Your dog takes the toy on invitation, and releases it when asked. Teach a “drop it” first, trading the toy for a treat, before the game gets rowdy.
• Keep bouts short, ten to fifteen seconds, then pause for a thinking moment like a sit before the next round. Two or three rounds make a session.
• Pick a long, soft tug toy so re-grips land on fabric, not fingers.
• Let your dog do most of the tugging. Keep their spine in a neutral line, no yanking up and down or lifting their feet off the ground. Use only gentle pressure with puppies and seniors.
• Never chase a dog who runs off with the toy. The game restarts when the toy comes back.

When to skip tug

Tug is not for every dog. If your dog guards toys, has shown aggression over possessions, or grabs at hands when aroused, choose other games and talk to a qualified, reward-based professional first. If your dog has dental pain, neck or joint problems, or is recovering from injury, ask your vet before tugging. Growling with a relaxed, wiggly body during play is ordinary play talk, but a stiff body, hard stare, or a bite that makes contact is your cue to end the game and reassess.

Sources: AKC: Is Tug-of-War Bad for Dogs? Preventive Vet: Play Tug of War Without Encouraging Aggression.