Game #6 · Behavioral & Enrichment
Tug-of-War
Teaches impulse control and builds a strong bond.
- What you need:
- A long, durable rope or fleece tug toy.
How to play
- Ask your dog to "sit" before starting the game.
- Offer the toy with an invite word like "take it."
- Tug gently, side-to-side (never violently up-and-down).
- Freeze completely and say "drop it," trading the toy for a treat.
Coach's notes
- Let your dog win most reps — 'losing' the toy is what makes them re-engage.
- Teeth on skin ends the game immediately for 30 seconds, then reset.
- Never yank vertically; that torques the neck and cervical spine.
- Rotate tug toys weekly so novelty carries the enthusiasm.
If your dog loses interest
Quick fixes when engagement drops mid-session.
- If your dog won't grip, make the tug 'come alive' — drag it low on the ground like prey, don't wave it in their face.
- Stops tugging mid-game? You may be pulling too hard — match their strength, not yours.
- Growling during tug is play, not aggression — but a hard mouth on your hand ends the game every time.
Why it works
Rooney & Bradshaw's tug studies show dogs who win most rounds are more, not less, cooperative afterward — tug builds bond, not dominance.
References
- [7] Rooney, N. J., & Bradshaw, J. W. S. (2002). An experimental study of the effects of play upon the dog-human relationship. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 75, 161–176.
Which cognitive muscle is your dog's strongest?
Run the same science-based tasks from Duke in your living room and get your dog's full cognitive profile.