Have you ever heard that playing tug-of-war with your puppy will make them aggressive? Maybe a well-meaning friend warned you against it or perhaps you’ve read outdated advice somewhere. I’ve been there too! When I got my first puppy I was super worried about doing everything right, and tug-of-war was one of those games that had me confused.
Well, I’m here to bust this myth wide open and share some good news: playing tug with your puppy will NOT make them aggressive! In fact, when done properly, tug games offer amazing benefits for your furry friend’s development.
The Big Myth Debunked
Let’s get straight to the point – scientific research has your back on this one. A 2003 study published in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science looked at 50 people playing tug-of-war with their dogs. The researchers found that the game itself had absolutely no significant impact on aggression in dogs. What’s even better? Dogs that played tug and fetch actually showed more confident interactions with their humans!
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), this old belief about tug promoting aggressive or dominant behaviors is totally mistaken. Many top dog sports competitors and qualified trainers will tell you that well-managed tug games have tons of benefits instead.
The Real Benefits of Tug Games
When you play tug with your puppy the right way, you’re actually helping them develop in several positive ways:
- Impulse control development – They learn to start and stop on command
- Confidence building – Success in tug games builds self-assurance
- Stronger bond – Creates a fun activity you both enjoy together
- Energy release – Provides physical and mental stimulation
- Natural drive satisfaction – Taps into instinctual behaviors in a healthy way
- Training tool – Makes for a high-value reward during training
Dianna L Santos, a certified professional dog trainer, describes tug as “shared holding” and emphasizes that allowing your dog to win during tug games doesn’t mean they’re dominating you. Instead, it nurtures your relationship and teaches them that engaging with you is fun and rewarding
How to Play Tug Without Encouraging Aggression
The key thing to understand is that how you play tug matters way more than whether you play it Here are some important rules to follow
1. Safety First!
Always play tug side-to-side, not up and down. Never lift your puppy off the ground during tug games – this can hurt their neck and spine! Keep your movements smooth without jerking or yanking too hard.
2. No Teeth on Skin
If your puppy’s teeth touch any part of you – hand, arm, leg, even your clothing – the game stops immediately. This teaches bite inhibition and control. Let them calm down before resuming, and if they make this mistake more than 2-3 times in a row, the game is over for the day.
3. Teach “Drop It”
This is super important! Your puppy needs to learn to release the toy when asked. When teaching this, stop pulling on the toy so they don’t still get to play while ignoring your cue. Only resume once they let go and wait for your okay to start again. This reinforces that listening = more play!
4. Let Your Puppy Win Sometimes
Nobody wants to play a game they never win! Let your puppy “win” by releasing the toy after a particularly good tug session. Make a big deal about their victory! This prevents frustration and builds your relationship. If they come back wanting more play, that’s a great sign they’re having fun with you.
5. You Control Game Time
Don’t let your puppy decide when it’s tug time. If they bring you a toy but you’re busy, simply say “no thanks” and continue what you’re doing. This prevents pestering behavior. When ending a session, ask for a final “drop it” or say “all done!” and put the toy away.
When NOT to Play Tug
While tug is generally awesome, there are some situations where you should avoid it:
- If your puppy is already showing aggressive tendencies
- If your puppy exhibits resource guarding (aggressively protects toys, food, etc.)
- If your puppy has loose baby teeth or dental issues
- If your puppy has neck problems or other physical limitations
As Dr. Erica C. Boling, a Certified Canine Fitness Trainer, points out, tug games should be modified based on your dog’s age and condition. Use only light resistance with young puppies or dogs with physical issues.
Best Tug Toys for Puppies
Choosing the right toy makes a huge difference in your tug games:
Rope Toys
These classic options are great because they’re soft enough that your puppy can get a good grip without hurting their teeth, yet durable enough for lots of tugging. Look for ropes that are flexible and not too thick. Just remember not to leave rope toys with your puppy unattended, as loose threads can be dangerous if swallowed.
Long-Handled Tug Toys
If your puppy is still in that mouthy teething phase, long tug toys create space between their teeth and your hands. The ZippyPaws Monkey Ropetugz is a great option with two handles and a soft stuffed section in between.
Rubber Tug Toys
Toys like the Westpaw Bumi are flexible yet durable, with good “give” when you press on them. These can be especially good for older puppies with stronger jaws.
Soft Tug Toys
For smaller or less intense puppies, soft stuffed tug toys (like the Tuffy brand) can work well – as long as your puppy doesn’t tear them apart and eat the stuffing!
Expert Tips for Successful Tug Sessions
Cathy Madson, a certified dog trainer, recommends keeping tug sessions relatively short – about 10-15 seconds at a time with breaks in between. This helps maintain your puppy’s focus and prevents over-excitement.
“Strive for two to three tugs in a session (tug-trade-tug-win-tug-trade) and then cap it off by asking the dog to do a ‘thinking’ exercise. Give them a treat and then put the tug toy away,” Santos explains. She calls this interval training – allowing excitement followed by calmer activities.
After a tug session, it’s also helpful to give your puppy something calming to do, like chewing on an appropriate toy or working on a licking mat. This helps them settle down and decompress.
Is Tug Right for YOUR Puppy?
Not every dog loves tug games! Some puppies prefer different types of play, like fetch or chase. Tug tends to be most popular with high-energy breeds like:
- Belgian Malinois
- Collies
- Bully breeds
- Terriers
But any puppy can enjoy it if they show interest! The most important thing is finding activities that you BOTH enjoy together.
My Personal Experience
When I got my Corgi puppy, he was OBSESSED with tug from day one. I was worried about encouraging bad behavior, but after researching and implementing these rules, our tug games became the highlight of our day! Not only did he NOT become aggressive, but his recall and “drop it” became rock solid because he learned that listening meant more fun tug games with me.
So, does playing tug make a puppy aggressive? Absolutely not! When played correctly with clear boundaries, tug-of-war is a fantastic way to bond with your puppy, build their confidence, and teach important skills like impulse control.
The key is making sure YOU set the rules and stay consistent with them. Start the game yourself, teach a solid “drop it” command, and never let teeth touch skin. Keep sessions short and fun, and always end on a positive note.
Remember that tug is about partnership, not domination from either side. When done right, it creates a stronger relationship between you and your puppy that’s based on mutual respect and enjoyment.
So grab a good tug toy and have fun with your puppy! Just follow the guidelines above, and you’ll be building a confident, well-behaved dog who loves interacting with you.
What’s your experience with tug games? Have you noticed any benefits with your puppy? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
Does Playing Tug With My Dog Make It Aggressive? – Q&A
FAQ
Does playing tug make a dog aggressive?
Tug is mentally and physically tiring, and it’s a great way to strengthen the bond you have with your dog. Here’s the benefits of playing tug with your dog. Old school trainers really did a great job at discouraging playing tug of war. It’s still one of the most commonly asked questions; “Won’t it make my dog aggressive?”
Does tug of war make a dog aggressive?
Tug of war won’t make your dog aggressive, but it might intensify unwanted behaviors or patterns that are already present. Before you play tug of war, you need to set a few ground rules. Rule 1: Safety First! When playing tug with your dog, you want to make sure you only play tug side to side.
Should you play tug with your dog?
Minute for minute it’s the best way to help burn off some energy — for dog and owner alike. You’ll still find the occasional trainer who still tells people not to play tug with their dog. They claim that playing tug with your dog leads to dominance and aggression issues.
Why do dogs play tug with their owners?
In studies that have been conducted researchers found that dogs that play tug with their owners have higher confidence and amenability, meaning they were more obedient. The same study also found that dogs who engaged in more rough housing games such as tug were found to exhibit fewer separation related behaviors. Dogs are very socially oriented.
Can a dog play tug of war?
Playing a game of tug of war with your dog is one of the easiest ways to engage in meaningful play with our canine companions. It’s great exercise for dog and owner alike, and it’s mentally challenging for our dog. Recent studies have found that the more play a dog engages in the less likely he is to exhibit behavioral problems.
Is there a link between tug and aggression?
There has been no evidence found that suggests a link between tug and aggression. In fact the evidence we do have is that tug is a great confidence builder, and that it’s a fun way to keep our dogs exercised & entertained. Playing a game of tug of war with your dog is one of the easiest ways to engage in meaningful play with our canine companions.
Is it normal for puppies to get aggressive when playing?
Does tug-of-war tire out a puppy?
Playing tug-of-war with your puppy is a great way to burn off that excess energy in a productive and enjoyable way. A few rounds of tug can tire your puppy out, allowing them to relax and settle down afterward. This can also prevent boredom, which is often a cause of unwanted behaviors in puppies.
How long should I play tug with my puppy?
My reward process would be filled with multiple sessions of quick tugging spaced out with me asking the dog to something in between each tug session. This would be especially true if I was trying to get through a distracted environment with the dog. The tugging itself would be anywhere from 3-10 seconds, maybe less.
Should you let your puppy win the tug-of-war?
Yes, you should let your puppy win at tug of war to build confidence and strengthen your bond, but it’s important to also establish rules and a “drop it” cue to maintain control of the game. Avoid aggressive play, ensure your puppy is not over-aroused, and end the game by having your puppy release the toy to you, rather than having you win.