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Focus on Tugs

Tug play is rewarding because:

It’s great physical exercise	The dog enjoys highly stimulating play with you
You can build specific movements and strengths	It teaches GREAT self control in high excitement
You can practise extreme stimulus control	You can teach emotional changes
The pleasure of the game transfer to the behaviours before and after	You both have fun!

Tug training is a valuable technique for many activities and one of the highest level of rewards you can offer. It can get out of hand very quickly unless you use the rules with common sense.

The probability is that you will come to more harm than the dog - particularly if you take on tug with a Boxer Boy!

Hold the tug safely - so that you do not strain your fingers. Tugs with handles are ideal for this. Keep arms straight as much as possible

Maintain a straight back - don’t bend over whilst pulling. You can avoid this with the very long tugs, which let you stand upright - even with the smallest of dogs.

Build the dog’s strength slowly. The jaw muscles will need to build up to be able to maintain the grip.

Avoid sharp, snapping movements.

Use a soft tug, rope tugs can cause the dog’s gum to bleed. A ball on a rope is good if the dog holds onto the ball, not the rope.

Avoid impact against the floor.

Yes, of course. You can easily hold the clicker and the tug.

When the dog has learned what fun the tug is through lots of games with you, click as the dog is holding steady with a good grip, and then add extra fun for the after-click with a ragging session.

Try to make the tug reward last for 3-5 seconds. Any longer and you will reduce the number of behaviours you can train - simply because the dog will get tired or too hot with the play.

Good manners, or self control is essential.

Just because the tug is in view, it is not permission for the dog to jump up and grab it. This is one of the worst offences and puts many people off tug games.

For the dogs that are out of control when they see the tug, use something like a carpet square or sheet of card, and use it as a shield between the dog and the tug. You must have something that protects you if the dog launches at the tug when you are holding it - you can end up being bitten in error, and hiding the tug and turning away can often incite the dog to try harder - they think you are teasing them.

Keep relaxed, and bring the tug out into view, if the dog jumps at the tug, use the shield to block the dog from holding it. You are not trying to hit the dog with the shield, just prevent the reward of the jump and snatch for the toy. If this causes the dog to back off then click and let the dog have the toy with a clear cue "get it". Ideally you are looking for the dog maintaining their self control, when looking at the tug. Excellent, click and reward with play - it does not matter what behaviour they adopt, a sit, stand or down, just that the common emotion is of self control, and NO barking!

You're my Hero! Get it!

For dogs that are shy of tugging with you, begin with some treats pushed into the plait of the tug. Show the dog there is a treat "in the tug", then drop the tug to the floor, as they work at getting the treat out, gently begin to pull the tug, letting them win as often as possible. Every grip of their mouth should squeeze out more yummy food. Build this so that the dog is comfortable holding onto the tug, whilst you give gentle tugs.

After you have taught that snatching can never be rewarding, you will teach the dog to get the tug on your cue. Chose a clear verbal cue. You may need to use this when the tug is in plain view or left on the floor, or even in your training box.

The presence of the tug itself is NEVER a cue to grab, only when you add the verbal cue "get it" or something similar.

Leaving go of the tug is equally important.

For the lifetime grippers, hold a piece of VERY tasty food at their nostrils, whilst they hold onto the tug. Just keep very still and let them decide if the tug is worth letting go or not. Click as soon as they give up the tug, and give them the treat.

If food is not worth the exchange, very gently take hold of the dog's collar under their chin and pull it towards you, in the opposite direction of their energy. This prevents them from continuing to pull against the tug, now they are just left standing sucking a piece of cloth. Carry on holding your pull on the tug, give the first click when you feel their jaw beginning to relax, the reward will be your letting go of the collar and another play. This jaw relaxation will increase until you get a complete release. Click when they let go, and give them the tug as fast as possible, on your cue, again. Letting go for these dogs must be rewarded with another tug session. If when they let go you always end the game, they will soon learn not to let go! Putting the tug away about one in ten is a fine proportion of success.

The behaviour of release will go onto a verbal cue, such as "out" or "off". Give the cue, then take either route to ensuring the dog lets go.

Stay at this stage in the game, until you have the three control points:

The more you play with the tug and invent great games, the more excited the dog will become. As this builds utilise it with greater expectations of control in self management.

Ask the dog to sit, present the toy, tease with the toy, if they successfully maintain the sit, then, after the click AND your cue, they can "get it". Be careful not to let the click itself trigger the grab. It just marks the behaviour that will be rewarded - and you may chose another reward, such as a treat.

If they lose the sit, then put the toy away with your "out" or "off" verbal cue. Break the temptation down to more manageable chunks and teach the dog to strengthen their impulse control.

Sometimes the passion of the game will exceed the dog's self control in their bite. Should they creep along the tug closer to your hand, then let go immediately you

feel this is becoming a liability. They can have the tug, but not enjoy the game with you. Even leave the dog, leave the room.

It will help the dog to understand if you can click for "good bites" and end the game for "bad bites".