Is playing tug of war with your puppy bad?
Puppies love playing tug-of-war, don’t we? It’s one of the most adorable and rewarding games to watch them excel at. As a new puppy owner, you’d want to join in the fun and teach your precious little one about the best way to engage in such a game. But, is it really good for your dog? In this article, we’ll dive into whether playing tug of war with your puppy is, in fact, bad, and outline some essential considerations to prioritize their well-being.
Pros of tug-of-war play
• Resource guarding: Playing tug of war helps your puppy exercise resource guarding instincts, natural for canines. The game encourages your puppy to protect the rope or stick, teaching valuable lessons about valuing and securing resources (1).
• Gum strengthening: Tugging exercises the jaws and help develop strong puppy gums for better dental hygiene (3).
• Social behavior: Tug-of-war play fosters social connection and bonding with your pet, promoting friendly interactions through playful competition.
Cons of tug of war play (and important considerations)
• Damaged clothing and furniture: Puppies can get very enthusiastic with their playtime, but this might come at your expense. Shredding clothing, fraying household items, or even choking hazards can quickly become part of the unwanted package in tug-of-war play:
- Tips: Take extra precautions; play off the floor to minimize damage when using toys like ropes.
• Excessive lunging and force: An overzealous puppy learning to play tug-of-war may develop too much pulling force, posing a future risk of biting or tripping you over: - Tips: Monitor your dog’s behavior closely, praise calm play, and engage in gentle opposition to develop more controlled grip.
- The " gentle grip" game: Make it a practice to insert a treat, like half a piece of cooked liver, between your fingers wrapped around the tug toy: your puppy has to yank the "prey" out from between and grasp it safely, simulating a proper grip force.
• Risking tooth damage and injuries from broken toys: Tons of toys shatter! If your pet swallows or chomps heavily on a disintegrating toy, potentially causing throat blockages, choking issues, or worst-case swallowing small parts with serious (and even surgical) dangers: - Tips:
- Supervise closely during and after all play sessions!
- Choose durable, non-shattering puppy toys!
