"tug of war' with puppies

M

Mandz

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Hi,

I regularly play 'tug of war' with my 7 month puppy - she really enjoys it and she has now discovered her 'growl'
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I have been told that I should not do this as it can cause them to become agressive.

Is this true - she has a great time - tail constantly wagging etc etc. If I tell her to drop it, she does so straight away with no drama at all.

Just curious about what you guys think????

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ps - she is a kelpie cross ridgeback
 
Personally in my opinion, if she drops on command and you reward her and finish the game on your terms, I don't see it being a problem.
 
thanks,

The game always ends on my terms and she is rewarded when she drops etc.


We play the game with me in my 'happy' voice and if she wants to play she will come up with the object in her mouth and push it against me. If I don't want to play then she will listen and leave me alone and find another 'victim'
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I was just worried as I don't want an aggressive dog - the 1st hint of agression and she would be gone as I have two children and can't take the risk.

As it is she is amazing but the kelpie side of her makes her very clingy with me. I can't make a move without her by my side.

mandz
xx
 
Totally off the subject, I bought my kelpie x heeler back from OIz with me. (Shes dead now, was a good age). When lurch pops her clogs I must get another, I love them! I have only seen black or red kelpies over here, though, and it would have to be black and tan!
I'm sure playing tug of war is OK, but make sure if she plays it with the children she still stops when they tell her, as long as shes bottom of the pecking order, should be fine!
 
Depends on the dog. With a very dominant dog I wouldn't play tug of war but it sounds like your girl knows her place in the pack and making sure you always end up winning is absolutely the right thing to do. As long as you keep making sure she knows you're the pack leader and she doesn't show any aggressive signs then I wouldn't worry. Tug of war is a fun game!
 
We used to play with our puppy with one toy and she was fine. One thing our teacher at puppy class told me was you sould only shake the toy from side to side, never up and down as it can damage their neck.
 
Also be careful playing tug in a hard way with young pups as it can affect the growing jaw or dislocate it.

If the game is on your terms and ends when you want and you win then I can't see a problem.

Emma
 
The only thing I have read about puppies and tug of war, is to be gentle with them because of teeth and jaw's.

As long as you "finish" the game and she accepts, I cant see a problem.
 
My dog loves playing tug of war; she always has.

When she plays with another dog she growls up a storm but is silent when I play with her -- she just shakes the thing to death!

Just ensure that you teach "drop it" and "leave it" and incorporate it into the game and you won't have a problem.

What kind of dog is she, by the way?
 
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