Playing an interactive game of tug with your dog is one of the most rewarding, bond-boosting training activities you can do.
At Tug-E-Nuff, we’re proud to make some of the best training toys for dogs that make positive play between dogs and their owners both easy and successful.
When owners first start playing tug, it’s relatively common for some dogs to appear to prefer to bite down on the handle of their tug (rather than the bite area). We like to affectionately call these dogs ‘handle grabbers’.
The good news here is that Tug-E-Nuff toys are designed to withstand many hours of tugging and we use top-grade materials to ensure they are some of the most durable dog toys money can buy.
However, it is always best to encourage your dog to target the bite area. Here’s five expert tips on how to do this from Tug-E-Nuff play expert Chelsea:
1. Bunch up
If you notice your dog grabbing the handle instead of the bite area when playing tug, bunch up the length of the handle on the toy so only the bite area is on show. This keeps the handle out of sight and makes the bite zone the focus point.
Once your dog’s got a good tuggy grip on the bite zone, praise them – and slowly release the rest of the handle.
2. Keep tension
It can also help while learning to play tug with your dog to keep slight tension on the toy so that your dog needs to hold tighter. This prevents them re-gripping and working their way towards the handle.
3. Practice and patience
Practice makes perfect. Play tug in short, fun sessions and keep it positive at all times. Gradually, with patience and by following the steps above, your dog will learn that the bite area is the most satisfying and rewarding area to grab
4. Reset with a scatter feed
For dogs who are still working on their response to ‘drop it’ you can simply scatter or throw some tasty treats onto the ground to encourage your dog to let go of the toy.
For dogs who are more motivated by toys than treats, use bigger, smellier treats like cheese or chicken - and toss them out like a ball, so your dog’s enticed by the movement of the reward. Or try The Clam (our treat dispensing dog ball).
5. Our favourite for handle grabbers
For determined handle grabbers, our pocket toys are a good fix. Their shorter handles are more discreet which makes the bite area more prominent. Plus they’re perfectly sized to fit in your pocket so you can take them on walks.
Once your dog gets a tuggy grip on the bite zone and feels the bungee resistance powering their game - they’ll soon learn which bit is the best to grab onto.
Read next:
How to teach your dog a leave it cue
How to teach your dog impulse control (with games)
Flirt poles for dogs - to flirt or not to flirt?
