Never Play Tug-of-War With Your Dog & Other Falsehoods!

At least once a week, I field a call or email from someone who was told/read online/or saw a post on Facebook that said they shouldn't be playing tug-of-war with their dog because it will make the dog aggressive.  I'm glad that the people telling me this over the phone or via email can't see my face as I'm sure I'm gritting my teeth and my eyes are rolled back in my head.  What a load of nonsense!  Playing tug-of-war with a dog most certainly does NOT make dogs aggressive. If it did, I'd have had nothing but aggressive dogs in my home my entire life!  The game of tug-of-war itself doesn't make dogs aggressive; aggression is something that dogs inherit or something they develop as a consequence of their environment.  Meaning, for example, if your dog keeps getting repeatedly beat up and bullied by other dogs at the dog park, he may very well become aggressive toward other dogs as a response to those negative experiences.  Tug-of-war is a game that most dogs really enjoy.  It allows them to use their mouths in a safe way with their humans.  They will tug and pull and growl and shake their heads to try to get the tug toy away from you.  And you will do the same, hanging onto the toy for dear life, grunting and maybe growling to make sure you get to keep the toy.  Fun times!  I love playing this game with Ozzie as we both turn in circles, growl, and jump around.  My one chance to be like a collie!  We play tug-of-war daily, sometimes he initiates the game, other times, I do.  He comes to the humans for the game because Desi won't play tug with him.  If Westley is home, however, he'll play tug with Ozzie and that's fun to watch for sure!  You see, dogs play tug-of-war with each other and with us. It is a game of strength and skill, but it's still a game.  If you want to play it with your dog, that's fine.  If you are concerned about your kids playing the game with your dog, then by all means, set some ground rules.  With kids, I suggest that the child start and end the game, not the dog and if the dog gets overstimulated and begins grabbing at the child's hands or jumping on them, then the child should drop the toy, firmly say, "Game Over!" and walk away from the dog and ignore them.  Dogs quickly learn that if they want the game to continue, they have to play by the human's rules.

Another falsehood I hear a lot is that dogs shouldn't be allowed to walk on leash in front of their owners as that means the dog is in control.  That's simply ridiculous.  Can you see my eyes rolling up in my head again?  Most dogs like to walk slightly in front of their owners and this isn't about them controlling you, it's about them assessing the environment you are walking into.  They are scanning the area, sniffing the air and the ground, etc.  They are making sure it's all good in your neighborhood.  I'm not suggesting that you let your dog tear your arm out of the socket and drag you down the street; rather, I am saying, if your dog wants to walk slightly in front of you, don't take this as some sort of affront to your status.  You are walking WITH your dogs, meaning it should be enjoyable for all parties. Staying at your knee in the heel position, looking adoringly up at you for an entire walk is not particularly pleasurable for your dog. Letting them trot ahead to sniff or look for squirrels, and then circle back to see what you are up to, makes for an enjoyable walk for everyone.  By all means, bring your dog back into the heel position if you are walking on a busy sidewalk or need to pass someone on the street, that's where teaching a dog to heel truly has the most value.  

Finally, there's the client I saw last weekend who told me she was sad that she couldn't let her dog sleep on the bed with her anymore.  I was figuring either she was allergic to the dog's fur or he snored or was restless, thus making sleeping with him on the bed uncomfortable.  Nope, that wasn't it.  She'd read in a Facebook dog owners group that letting dogs sleep with you or be on the furniture meant you were giving them power and they would thus not want to listen to you or be "obedient."  I was astounded by this!  Sharing your bed, your couch, or your favorite chair with your dog isn't what makes them ignore your requests or be disobedient.  That's crazy!  The only dogs who shouldn't be on furniture are those that try to guard those places from other pets or from their humans. If you can't sit on the couch because your dog will growl at you if you do, then yes, your dog shouldn't be on the furniture!  If your dog scoots over to make you a spot, or waits until you sit down to see if you'll invite them up there too, then sharing the couch isn't a problem.  If your dog doesn't hog the bed, growling at you for disturbing them, then it's fine to have them up there.  There have even been studies that show that women who sleep with a dog on their bed get a better night's sleep and rank themselves as happier overall!  If having your dog on the bed makes you sneeze, however, or keeps you from getting a good night's sleep, then by all means they need to sleep on a dog bed or in a crate in your bedroom instead.  You are still sleeping together then, just not co-sleeping. 

I hope this makes you feel better about that dog on the couch who likes to walk in front of you on your daily strolls and loves a good game of tug-of-war.  You see, I have one of those too and I wouldn't have it any other way.

As always, if you have questions about your pet's behavior, you know where to find me.

Ozzie takes up a lot of room when he sits with you on the couch, but he's always willing to share his spot and loves trying to sit, at least partially, on your lap!