Dogs are animals who possess a sharp set of teeth that can bite through almost anything. While they may be strong, due to the variations in breeds, you cannot expect every dog to have the same strong jaw that big dogs might possess. You should especially be careful with puppies, who still have developing teeth but have a strong urge to bite.
When playing a game of tug of war with your pet, there may be rough back and forth jerks that can be harsh on your dog’s teeth. Considering that teeth are an integral part of their mouth, it is bad for dogs to hang by their teeth. Once or twice on accident is alright, but to do it regularly and on purpose is a big no.
Read on to find out more on this issue.
Is It Safe for Dogs to Hang by Their Teeth?
No, it is not safe for your dog to be hanging by its teeth. It is alright if once or twice during a play session your puppy or dog did not let go and you accidentally lifted it as a reaction.
Regularly doing it, however, will cause problems for your dog’s sensitive teeth. I understand that there will be times when your dog just does not let go of the toy, which is why it is beneficial to teach it commands. If it is your first time playing, simply stop the game when they do not let go to show them you are done.
Small dogs are still okay to lift by their teeth, but you should never try this with bigger and older dogs.
How Strong Are Dog Teeth?
While dog teeth may look dangerous, sharp, and extremely strong, they are actually quite weaker than human teeth. Tooth enamel of dog teeth is six times weaker than human teeth – which means that it is very easy for your pet to lose their teeth by just chewing on something which might be too hard for them.
Therefore, look out for what they choose to bite on and avoid lifting dogs when playing tug of war.
Does Playing Tug of War With Dogs Make Them Aggressive?
No, tug-of-war does not inherently make your dog aggressive. The act of pulling back and forth in the game is how dogs tug at prey when hunting. It can make your dog hyper or excited for a while, but that too is not something that will stay permanent.
Conditions may vary, of course, because the personality of your dog matters a lot in this case as well.
If your pet is already one that can be a little stubborn and reacts violently to things at times, then this game is not very suggestive for them. If your dog is a possessive one who likes to guard things, there is a chance that it will be aggressive at tug-of-war.
How to Play Tug of War With My Dog?
Tug of war is an extremely fun game and a great way to bond with your pet. It is an extremely good outlet for all the energy inside them and is good physical exercise. Since tug of war is a fairly aggressive game, it cannot be guaranteed that everything will always be in control.
However, there are still ways in which you can make your tug-of-war game safer to play with your dog.
- Teach Them Commands
The first and foremost thing to do when engaging in this activity is to teach your dog a set of commands – especially one to release the toy.
You can use simple terms like “drop it” or “freeze” or maybe make up a code word. This will help you at times when your dog gets hyper and you need to control it. Be strict with your dog and reward them when they follow your commands
- You Should Decide When You Play
Your dog probably already obeys you since it is your pet, but authority should be established before you start the play. Always initiate the tug of war first to show your dog who makes the rules.
- Choose An Object Safe For Tugging
Make sure that the object you use for tug of war is safe for your dog’s teeth. Choose the correct type of toy meant for playing the game and dedicate it solely for the purpose to establish further authority in the game. The best choices are those toys made of rubber which keep your dog’s mouth away from your body.
- Take Enough Breaks
Take enough breaks to ensure that your dog does not get too excited. It is natural for them to growl, snap backward, wag their tail aggressively as these things are part of their predatory nature. Since you know your dog well, you would know about any negative changes in behavior, so watch out for behavior that seems too intense.
If your dog gets too excited, use the command you have made for them to release the toy. Take a break for around a minute and go through basic commands like sit or lay down. Once your dog seems relaxed, you can continue to play with them.
- Play In The Correct Environment
Make sure to pick a good spot for your game. While outdoors is ideal for any sort of physical activity with your dog, tug of war is usually played indoors due to its easy accessibility. Just keep in mind that there should be enough space for your dog and you to move around without any dangerous objects nearby.
Important Note: There are some very important ground rules to playing tug of war with your dog. While other points mentioned are interchangeable and flexible, these are things you must remember.
- Make sure that there is no touching during play – no biting, no scratching, and especially, no trying to get on top of you.
- Never tug up and down – this can be dangerous for the dog’s neck and jaw and bone problems like arthritis are already very common diseases among dogs in their old age. Remember to only tug in a side-to-side movement and try to keep their head closer to the ground at all times.
- If your dog is particularly old or has cervical/neck issues, absolutely no tug of war play for them.
- Never let children play unsupervised. In my experience, children are usually the best playmates for your dog around the house. But, they are also just as careless, so make sure that if your child is playing this game with your dog, you keep a watchful eye on them.
How Long Should You Play Tug of War With Your Dog?
There is no particular limit to how long you should play tug-of-war with your dog. As long as your dog and you are enjoying it, it can be done for however long you want to.
With my Shih Tzu Zeus, playtime usually lasts only 5 minutes or less due to the small size of his breed. With my lab Ellie, playtime never seems to end as she keeps coming back with her toy for more.
All you should look out for are signs of annoyance in your dogs and the fact that they do not bite or touch any body part of yours. If you get a hint that your dog is getting overexcited or too hyper, stop immediately.
Related Questions
Is playing tug of war bad for my dog’s neck?
Tug of war is alright for your dog’s neck as long as the movement you are pulling in is from side to side and not up and down. The movement of the latter can injure your dog’s neck.
Why does my dog shake his head when playing tug of war?
Dogs shake their head when playing tug of war to show their excitement and happiness when playing with you. That is the case most of the time – but even if they start growling while doing it, there is no need to be alarmed.
Tug of war is actually like a predatory game and the pulling can make their hunting instinct rise. As long as your dog stops his actions that may seem aggressive, nothing is wrong with your dog.
Should you let dogs win a tug of war?
Yes, it is completely okay to let your dogs win at tug of war. It helps them build confidence and also makes them feel like playing with you is a fun experience due to how rewarding it can be.
Many behavioralists will however, advise against letting them win in order to maintain the hierarchy between your dog and you. Therefore a balance must be made.
I would let my dog win sometimes as it made him feel happy. Since he is also sort of a lazy dog, this game was something he played with a lot of interest and excitement. So it’s important to help them win sometimes for them to keep coming back to play more again.
Final Thoughts
Tug of war is a great exercise that your pet dog will get fond of. It has its side effects and dangers, so you must take precautions when you do it. All thoughts aside, it is a great game.
Some people might be worried about the alpha and dominance thing because they could have comparatively aggressive dogs, but at the end of the day, it just depends on your dog.
Some may even show no interest in the game after some time. While with some dogs like mine, you might even discover new qualities that you did not know they possess – like how sneaky they are trying to win. Enjoy your days with your canine friend and indulge in activities they like – after all, we must bring happiness to our pets just like they do for us.
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