When done right, playing tug-of-war with dogs can have plenty of benefits. For instance, it can improve your dog’s impulse control, make him more confident, and, most importantly, encourage the camaraderie between the two of you.
However, there are also many things that can go wrong. Here are a few things that you should keep in mind before you play a game of tug with your beloved furbaby.
3 Things to Know When Playing Tug-of-War With Dogs
- Don’t tug up and down. Tugging up and down can injure your dog’s neck, no matter how strong you think they are.
- Don’t slide them across the room. Again, this can be quite dangerous for your dog.
- Don’t control the game. Let your dog do most of the work. The only thing you should do is to move the toy gently from side to side to encourage them to pull harder.
Additionally, it’s also important not to “defeat” your dog in a tug-of-war battle using their favorite toy since it may accidentally encourage them to exhibit possessive tendencies over the said toy.
Other than that though, everything’s fair game. Be sure to let your dog win!
Interested in learning more about dog care? Take a look at our PetFitness blog today!
