Tug, sit, tug for dogs: how to play
Switch between wild tug and a calm sit. Teaches your dog to think while excited.
- Time
- 5 min
- Energy
- High
- Space
- Small room
You'll need
- long tug toy
Set up
Your dog knows Tug with rules and a solid sit.
How to play
Play tug for 5 seconds.
Say "Drop it" and freeze. When they let go, ask for a sit.
The moment your dog sits, say "Tug" and offer the toy. The sit earns the game.
Swap in other cues: down, spin, touch.
Slowly make the tug part livelier before asking for the sit.
End with a drop and "All done".
House rules
- Restarting the game is the reward.
- Teeth on skin or clothes ends the round: say "Oops", let go and put the toy behind your back for a few seconds. If it happens 2 or 3 times in a row, tug is over for today.
- Make it easier
- Shorter, calmer tugs before each sit.
- Make it harder
- Ask for a down-stay for 5 seconds, or have a helper bounce a ball nearby.
Signs it's having fun
Fast sits, eyes on the toy, wiggling with anticipation.
Stop if you see
Your dog can't hear cues or shows over-arousal: frantic grabbing, nipping hands or clothes, hard staring, barking at you or not hearing cues it knows.
Safety
Safety- Side-to-side tugs only; never lift your dog.
- Wait about an hour after meals.
Sources
- Rules for the game of tug (Whole Dog Journal)
- Playing tug of war without encouraging aggression (Preventive Vet)
Written from these sources and checked against vet and trainer guidance. General guidance, not veterinary advice.
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