While playing tug of war, your dog might get excited and begin growling. This is normal, as the game itself is predatory behavior. However, it is important to keep your dog from becoming overly excited or aggressive, and take breaks to keep the game from getting out of control.
Some dogs get so involved in the game by growling and snarling so it naturally seems that playing the game is reinforcing aggressive behaviour. Dogs really love playing tug-of-war, it is a healthy display of their predatory nature and an excellent mental and physical workout.
Side-to-Side Movements: When playing tug, your dog will naturally move his body side to side. You will also see he may get really into the game and start shaking his head side to side.
The up and down movement can cause injury to your dog's neck. Don't overdo it. Take your dog's size and medical condition into account when playing tug-of-war.
It's a way to strengthen bonds - Dogs use collaborative play to establish relationships and build trust. Tug of war can be played between two dogs or a dog and a person, so it's a great bonding activity.
Growling during play does not mean your dog is aggressive. It simply means they're having a great time. Your dog might even growl during a particularly pleasing cuddle or patting session. Many dogs growl talk to communicate contentment or as a greeting.
If the dog makes a mistake and bites you, screech “OUCH!” and take the toy away for 3-5 seconds. Act hurt and disgusted. Then re-present the toy and give your Tug cue. Your dog should play with more caution.
When done correctly, tug sessions should be “kept relatively short (10-15 seconds), have impulse control built-in (dog should have a trained “OUT” or “DROP” behavior), and be something the dog is invited to do with you,” she says.
When playing tug with your dog, you want to make sure you only play tug side to side. Avoid pulling the toy up and down or dragging your dog around by the toy. And never pull the toy up high enough that your dog is hanging from the toy above the ground. Doing so can injure their neck and spine.
Neck Damage
“You are potentially damaging the dog's neck by jerking it,” Hodges says. “The neck is a very, very sensitive area.” Repeated stress on the neck can even lead to long-term medical issues—including damaging the thyroid glands and tissues around the neck area and salivary glands, she says.
This calming sensation triggers a specific reaction in their brain that responds to hair follicle stimulation. Dogs, like humans, also release endorphins and oxytocin through methods of touch, so rubbing a dog's belly can help with bonding and affection. Ultimately, dogs like belly rubs because they feel good!
Dogs are good at reading us, and they usually know when we are being affectionate, such as when we kiss them. Because they love affection from us, most dogs do like being kissed. However, they don't like the act of being kissed but rather that we give them attention and show affection.
While playing tug of war, your dog might get excited and begin growling. This is normal, as the game itself is predatory behavior. However, it is important to keep your dog from becoming overly excited or aggressive, and take breaks to keep the game from getting out of control.
When played correctly, tug of war is a high-value training method. It improves their impulse control, lets them learn boundaries, is an excellent mental stimulate, and is of course a great way to tire them out. When played responsibly, tug games also help keep your dog's teeth and muscles strong.
Is tug of war bad for dogs? No, playing tug is not bad for dogs. It's a common misconception that tug of war promotes aggressive behavior or dominant behavior. In fact, there are dog trainers and scientific studies that refute this.
You should initiate and end the tug of war game. Sloppy attempts by your dog to get the toy that make contact with your skin should end the game immediately. You should walk away with the toy.
When you play with your dog, let him mouth on your hands. Continue play until he bites especially hard. When he does, immediately give a high-pitched yelp, as if you're hurt, and let your hand go limp. This should startle your dog and cause him to stop mouthing you, at least momentarily.
Physical punishment should never be a course of action following a puppy or dog bite. Tapping or popping them on the nose can be misunderstood and seen as being playful. This could also encourage more unwanted biting behavior. Hitting a dog, or being too rough with a dog, frequently encourages more biting as well.
Puppies and dogs should not be allowed to bite your hands or chew on them, even if it is just to play. Your dog should never be comfortable putting their teeth against your skin. This is a simple safety precaution for later in life and an essential part of “bite inhibition.”
A growling dog is warning you he is outside his comfort zone. If pushed further, his next line of defense is to bite. Do not ignore the warning growl and continue to approach or force the dog to do something against his will.
The Growl: Dogs do growl while playing, but there are two ways to tell different growls apart. An aggressive growl will be accompanied by snarling and snapping, while a playful growl is just a sound, accompanied by relaxed body movements (no tension).
Straight off the bat you should be correcting your dog's growling and/or snapping with a firm “no” at the onset of the behavior. When he stops growling, reward him with a “good boy”, or in the beginning, a treat if it's handy at the exact moment of training so that he knows what he is being rewarded for.
For e.g. lowering your elbow below the knee level while pulling the rope is considered to be a foul and is called 'locking'. Touching the ground for a longer period of time is also considered as a foul.
Remember to keep your feet forward of your knees at an angle. Move as one – The key to success is teamwork. Pull as one, don't waste energy on short tugs, let your thighs take the strain, work together making effective use of your pulling power and with a concerted effort you should tug the other team into submission.