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Is playing tug-o-war with your dog bad?

Posted 2 months ago
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I think it depends on your dog.

If the dog isn't vying to be the Alpha, and simply views it as a game he or she enjoys playing with you, it's just a game.
Posted 2 months ago

Other 13 Answers to Is playing tug-o-war with your dog bad?


Posted Sep 10th, 2009 at 1:35AM
Not that I'm aware of. I always lose though and I think that is bad. LOL!
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Posted Sep 10th, 2009 at 1:36AM
Yes very bad, dogs are pack animals and it allows the dog to challenge you as pack leader. If you let the dog win, he becomes pack leader and you are just one of the pack from then on.
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Posted Sep 10th, 2009 at 1:36AM
I'm not a dog person, but everyone I have met who plays tug-o-war with their dog has a VERY VERY badly behaved dog. Just an observation.
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Posted Sep 10th, 2009 at 1:36AM
It is if you let them win.
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Posted Sep 10th, 2009 at 1:36AM
No. It won't make them aggressive or vicious. It's a game. That's like saying giving a child a toy gun will make him turn into a murderer.
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Posted Sep 10th, 2009 at 1:36AM
I'm pretty sure it strengthens their teeth...
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Posted Sep 10th, 2009 at 1:36AM
I think so because those dogs whose owners do that tend to be more jumpy and aggressive
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Posted Sep 10th, 2009 at 1:36AM
Hopefully they won't break....lol!
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Posted Sep 10th, 2009 at 1:37AM
The biggest reason it is bad is because it loosens their teeth and can damage their neck muscles, tendons and the spine.
It's a matter of opinion (one I agree with) that it is bad because your dog should release the object if you clearly want it and you are meant to be the pack leader.
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Posted Sep 10th, 2009 at 1:37AM
Mysty has it partly correct but if you have a dog that has issues because of its position in a pack, i.e. ****** when someone comes over, it can be an effective way to build the dogs self esteem and pack issues and solve the problem. If the dog has no pack issues I would find a different game like hide and seek.
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Posted Sep 10th, 2009 at 1:37AM
Nope. Russian Roulette with your dog would be bad...

I know cuz I tried, and I lost. :-/
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Posted Sep 10th, 2009 at 1:37AM
mine don't play that. he don't fetch either. now that i think about it i think my dog doesn't think he's a dog. maybe that's the problem. LOL
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Posted Sep 10th, 2009 at 7:14PM
I think it is bad as it is a game of aggression. It is not good to encourage that in any animal; let alone a dog with behavioural issues. It is much better to encourage more gentle play like a game of fetch IMO.
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