| Tug-Of-War | | | | he has dental problems, this may not be the best |
| Tug-of-war is one of those games that many dog | | | | choice of games. And dog trainers are right when it |
| trainers will caution you against playing with your dog. | | | | comes to some dogs. Dogs who have a tendency to |
| The reasoning is that it pits you against your dog and, | | | | be aggressive or domineering with their people should |
| at some point, you invariably allow the dog to win, | | | | find more cooperative games to play. |
| giving him the idea he can best you in a battle of | | | | Keep-Away |
| strength. For some dogs, this could create delusions of | | | | Dogs love to play keep-away. You can practically |
| grandeur. Most dogs, however, already know you are | | | | hear them giggling as you lunge to grab their prize and |
| helpless against them in any war of wills. They learned | | | | they pull it just out of reach. True, you'd be foolish to |
| that when you gave them treats from the table or | | | | teach this game to a dog you want to use as a |
| allowed them to push you to the little sliver of mattress | | | | reliable retriever (a dog playing keep-away with a bird |
| on the side of the bed. | | | | would never be invited back for a day in the duck |
| However, you can preserve the illusion that you're in | | | | blind), but most of us don't have such aspirations. By |
| control by adding a couple of elements to your game | | | | using words that tell your dog when the game is |
| of tug-of-war. The way to do this is to first teach your | | | | beginning and ending, you can separate it from |
| dog to give you a toy when you ask. Ask nicely "may | | | | everyday life and make it clear its not up to him to |
| I?" and offer to exchange a treat for the toy. Repeat | | | | decide to start playing. |
| this until your dog learns to trade the toy for a treat | | | | You can also use a special toy that is dedicated only |
| whenever you ask. Now you have a way to end a | | | | to playing keep-away. Give him that toy, say "Thief! |
| tug-of-war game in a draw, simply by asking your dog | | | | Thief!" and give chase. At first he may think you're |
| to give you the toy. You also have a way to start the | | | | serious and stop in his tracks, so you may have to |
| game by using a special tug toy that you bring out just | | | | combine it with tug-of-war or other chasing games to |
| for this game. Tell him "tug time!" and entice him to hold | | | | build his confidence. When the game is over, say |
| on by starting with gentle, quick small tugs. | | | | "you're under arrest" and ask that he bring you the toy. |
| And of course, use common sense when you play | | | | If he does, reward him. If he doesn't, simply turn and |
| tug-of-war. Don't jerk your dog's head back and forth | | | | walk away. Game over. Letting him know that even |
| or up and down; neck problems are not uncommon in | | | | keep-away has rules helps prevent him from playing |
| dogs. Don't allow your dog to hang from his teeth; at | | | | keep-away with your car keys when you're late for |
| least his hind feet should always be on the ground. If | | | | work. |