Tug Toy / Rope
🟡 Useful in certain situations
Of course, you can simply use a tug toy for playing together. But I also like to use it deliberately in training – especially when teaching the “drop it” cue.
Tugging together makes the toy interesting and valuable to your dog.
And that creates a great training situation: your dog is holding something they would like to keep, while learning to release it calmly and deliberately when you give the cue.
Practising “Drop It” Deliberately
When training, I don’t want to have to somehow take a small object out of a dog’s mouth.
That’s why a tug toy used for this purpose should be large and long enough. Your dog should be able to hold the middle section comfortably and securely, while there is still enough material on either side for you to hold the toy properly.
This allows you to play together, pause the tugging and repeatedly build the “drop it” cue naturally into the situation.
Also Useful for Trading Games
The same principle works very well for trading exercises.
For example, you can work with two tug toys: your dog releases one and is offered the other in return. This teaches them that letting go doesn’t automatically mean the fun is over.
Especially for dogs that are reluctant to give objects back, this can be a nice way to build voluntary releasing through play.
What I Would Look For When Buying One
Along with the right size, I would look for a robust, easy-to-grip material with a little flexibility.
I particularly like models with a longer handle or enough distance between your hand and the area your dog grips.
There are also versions with elastic or bungee sections that can absorb some of the pulling force.
As with any toy, the size should suit your dog’s body size and bite strength. And I wouldn’t automatically leave a tug toy intended for interactive training lying around as an unsupervised chew toy.
Playing Can Still Just Be Playing
Of course, not every game of tug has to turn into a training session.
Sometimes a tug toy can simply be fun. And because your dog enjoys it so much, it can also become a very valuable play reward and training tool.