Why Tug is one of the BEST games to play with your dog. đŚ´đž
If your dog bursts out of the door like a spring every time you grab the lead, or if youâre dealing with an over excited dog that canât focus, then tug might just be the game-changer you need. Tug isnât just a fun way to play â itâs a powerful training tool that can teach your dog impulse control, focus, and even help calm their energy before walks.
Many dog owners ask âhow to keep their dog calm?â and want to know âwhat to do when their dog doesnât listen.â If your dog is a distracted dog, pulls on the lead, or runs up to other dogs excitedly, tug can help address these behaviours by teaching your dog the rules of life through improving your communication.
Hereâs why tug should be a key part of your play routine â especially right before heading out for a walk AND in the park, not just at home.
Tug: More Than Just a Game
Tug is one of the most engaging and interactive games you can play with your dog. It taps into their natural instincts but also provides a unique opportunity to teach important behaviours that transfer to everyday life.
Before a walk, a quick session of tug can burn off some of your dogâs excess energy, so they donât rocket out of the door like a firecracker. This helps keep them calmer and more focused, making your walk much more enjoyable.
My dog doesnât like tug I hear you cry? Donât worry, some dogs donât even know how to play any games. We have to teach them. Get something squeaky with wobbly bits that make erratic movement, like a little rodent and shimmy the toy away from your dog on the floor. The direction it goes in is important. There are no suicide squirrels. You wonât ever find one that runs into a dogs mouth. The toy (squirrel substitute) must be running away from the dog in order for the dog to chase it. Do this a few times when your dog is showing signs of wanting to play, like when they have zoomies or similar. If they donât engage, donât worry. Put the toy away from their sight and get it out again the next day for a few minutes. Eventually theyâll start to show interest. Always store the toy away from the dog, it only comes out when youâre playing with them. Stop the game before they get bored. This will build their excitement for the game/toy over time. Once youâve built drive for the toy, then we can work on the rules.
Teaching the Rules of the Game: Impulse Control and Focus
Tug is a fantastic way to teach your dog key skills like stay in place, leave it, and not jumping or grabbing â all while having fun.
Hereâs how tug builds these skills:
Duration and âStayâ: You can teach your dog to hold their position during the game. For example, asking your dog to wait or âstayâ before allowing them to grab the tug toy teaches patience and self-control. In order for this to work you have to practice at home and then move it into different environments. If your dog is not being successful, take a few steps back and make it easier for them, this can be hard, especially in busy environments like your local park.
Leave It: Tug teaches your dog to listen when you say âleave itâ or âdrop itâ. Practicing these commands during play reinforces obedience in a positive, engaging way. This is specifically handy for when you want your dog to leave a squirrel or a bird. You may have noticed that teaching leave it with food in your hand is a far cry from getting your dog to leave any moving object. This is where tugs helps you out. You can start by dropping the tug on the floor beside you and build up to throwing it, or pulling it away from your dog, while they maintain a stay and ignore the tug, essentially leaving it. This can then transfer to real-life situations like squirrels and birds.
Impulse Control: Tug is an impulse-control workout disguised as fun. Your dog learns that play only happens when they follow the rules, such as not grabbing the toy too early or not jumping up. They learn that you are the gateway to the things that they want and that in order to get those things (freedom, toy, play with other dogs), they have to give you the behaviour you ask for first.
Focus Around Distractions: Because tug is interactive and exciting, itâs a great way to build your dogâs ability to focus on you even when distractions are nearby. This skill is crucial for walks, training, and everyday life. If you can get your dog to ignore everything around them and focus on the game with you, youâre winning. They can start to work for this reward rather than having to bring food out with you all the time. Personal I have no problem with rewarding my dog with food and bring food everywhere when theyâre with me, but I know this annoys a lot of people. Donât despair if this doesnât happen straight away, it wonât. You have to slowly build the game up at home and in low distraction environments before you can expect them to want the tug over a park full of excited dogs/squirrels or whatever theyâre obsession is currently.
How Tug Helps with Common Behaviour Challenges
My Dog Bursts Out the Door Like a Spring: Tug before a walk channels energy into a controlled, focused activity. Instead of darting wildly, your dog learns to wait calmly and pay attention to you, over time.
How to Keep My Dog Calm: A quick tug session burns off excess energy and reduces stress, making your dog more relaxed and responsive. Be aware, if you play the game wrong, this can have the opposite effect and you can make them more excited.
Distracted Dog/ My Dog Canât Focus: Tug grabs your dogâs attention and keeps it on you, helping improve focus and engagement during walks and training.
My Dog Doesnât Listen / What to Do When Your Dog Doesnât Listen: Tug creates a game with clear rules, increasing motivation, cooperation and understanding.
How to Stop Dog Reactivity & How to Stop My Dog Running Up to Other Dogs: Teaching impulse control through tug makes your dog less reactive and better at managing excitement around other dogs. It also helps them to focus on your around triggering situations, helping you to stop their reactivity.
How to Stop My Dog Pulling on the Lead: A calmer dog whoâs mentally and physically tired from tug play is less likely to pull and also more likely to understand what you want from them when youâre teaching loose leash walking.
How to Play Tug the Right Way
Playing tug the right way is essential to get all these benefits:
Set Clear Rules: Only start the game when you give a cue (like âtugâ), and end the game when you say âstopâ or âdrop it.â This teaches your dog that play is under your control.
Teach âLeave Itâ and âDrop Itâ: Use these commands during tug. If your dog grabs the toy before you say âgo,â stop the game and try again. This reinforces impulse control.
Stay in Place: Before letting your dog grab the toy, ask them to stay or wait. This helps with self-control and reduces door-darting.
Keep Sessions Short: 5 to 10 minutes of focused tug play before walks is ideal to burn energy without overstimulating.
Use High-Value Tug Toys: Pick a sturdy, safe tug toy your dog loves, so they stay motivated. Take them to the pet shop so they can choose.
Watch Body Language: Make sure the game stays fun and controlled. If your dog becomes too intense or aggressive, take a break.
Donât talk while youâre trying to teach: Dogs learn best with physical commands, they donât understand language. If your dog wonât âDropâ the tug, donât keep saying or even shouting âDropâ. Just hold the Tug tight against your leg and freeze. Wait for them to realise the game has stopped and let go. When they release, mark it with âGoodâ or âYesâ and then start again.
Make sure itâs a fair game: No one wants to play a game where they always lose. It doesnât make your dog dominant if you let them win, it makes it fun for them.
Tug and Puppy Socialisation
Tug is also a great game for puppies! It helps them learn bite inhibition, patience, and how to play nicely with humans.
Early puppy socialisation through tug teaches your puppy to manage excitement and follow rules, setting them up for success as they grow.
Obviously get a super small and soft tug for your Pup depending on their age and be very gentle. Especially around the teething phase. It may be better to avoid tug while teething. Consult your vet.
The Bigger Picture: Tug Supports Dog Socialisation and Overall Behaviour
Playing tug regularly can improve your dogâs socialisation skills. Dogs that have learned impulse control through tug tend to be less reactive and better behaved around other dogs and people.
Tug also builds confidence and helps distracted dogs develop stronger focus, which is essential for training success and reducing frustration.
Other Benefits of Tug Play
Physical Exercise: Tug builds muscle strength and coordination.
Mental Challenge: It requires your dog to think and focus.
Emotional Connection: Tug strengthens your bond through cooperative play.
Stress Relief: It releases pent-up energy and promotes calmness afterwards.
Wrapping Up: Make Tug Your Go-To Pre-Walk Game
If you want a calmer, more focused dog who listens better and behaves nicely on walks, tug is an excellent tool to add to your routine.
Before you grab the lead, spend a few focused minutes playing tug to help your dog burn off energy and practise impulse control. This can reduce pulling, door-dashing, and over excitement, and improve their ability to focus around distractions. Donât leave the tug behind, bring it with you on the walk and over time theyâll learn to play with it outside too.
Remember, tug is a training game as much as itâs play. Setting clear rules and teaching commands like leave it and stay during tug sessions builds essential skills that transfer to everyday life â making walks, training, and home life happier for both of you.
