Does tug make a dog aggressive?
No. It's a cooperative game and has nothing to do with dominance. Most dog sports even use it as a reward. What matters is that the game starts and ends on your cue.
Strength and pulling
Tug of War
Tug, turned into a contest. The dog pulls against an opponent or a calibrated device. You'll see it now and then at sporting events, always in a controlled format.
About the discipline
What the pulling contest is
Before anything else, tug of war is a game, and one of the best motivators you have in dog training. As a sport it's rarer, turning up at local events and demos.
In competition the dog pulls on a rope or a sleeve attached to a device that measures force. Sometimes it pulls against an opponent instead. Rounds are short.
The safety rules aren't up for debate. You pull horizontally, never upwards, and a round stays short. A dog lifted off the ground and left hanging from a rope risks spinal and dental injury.
How it works in practice
Safety rules and how it runs
- horizontal pulling, never vertical
- short rounds with breaks in between
- a tug of the right thickness and material
- a clear release cue, trained in advance
- no sudden jerking by the human
- stopping straight away at any sign of discomfort
Which dogs it suits
- adult dogs with healthy teeth
- dogs that stop when asked
- teams already using tug as a reward
Don't do it with puppies that are changing teeth, or with dogs that won't let go on cue.
What you need
- a suitable rope or sleeve with no hard edges
- a surface the dog won't slip on
- a solid release cue
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Tug of War
Am I allowed to let it win?
Yes, and it helps. A dog that wins now and then stays keen. The idea that losing a tug game costs you your authority has nothing behind it.
Why not pull upwards?
Because lifting a dog off the ground by its teeth puts dangerous strain on the neck and the teeth. Pull horizontally, at the dog's own height.
From the same category
Related sports
Weight Pull
The dog pulls a loaded sled over a short distance, in a special harness.
Carting
The dog pulls a cart round a marked course, and the judge watches how controlled it is.
Draft Dog
The dog hauls a real load round a course, steadily and under control.
Wall Climb
Climbing a vertical wall, an event you'll meet at some competitions.
We do not run Tug of War
This page is informational. We work in mantrailing, search and rescue and preparation for the TSAC and BH exams - but if you want an honest opinion on what would suit your dog, write to us anytime.