My dogs like to play tug but they prefer other toys. Should I put away all the other toys and make their fun revolve around tugs until the game is more firmly established?

Hi Cindy,

I have a semi-stupid question for you. I can also ask next week but it is really bothering me. It has to do with the power of playing tug. I am a little stuck.

Both my dogs like to play tug but they like other toys a little better. I know I can manipulate what they play with. On a normal day I will do a couple marker training session for behaviors with food and that is all fine. During separate sessions I use the tug working on having them drive it back to me. So it is tug tug tug (at the appropriate level of intensity for the dog, I think) let them have it coax them to bring it back (just like in the video) they bring it back but just not like they would with a different toy.

For example due to snow, we play with those flying squirrels. With the frisbee they will tug with much more intensity. But as M.E. says it is a terrible thing to use later for obedience due to size, not to mention cost of replacing the things all the time.

So during a regular day we play with tugs and frisbess. I can probably answer my own question, but, should I just ditch the frisbees for the time being until we have the tugging issues worked out. Using the frisbees, I always have in the back of my mind I am making all the fun away from me which I dont want, right? The other thing is playing frisbee provides good exercise for them. Should I just find other ways (long walks) for the exercise for the time being.

Also I should say, I have an assortment to tugs, jute, leather, firehose, synthetic, I rotate them for different biting surfaces, Jaz, the black GSD pup likes jute a little better but generally doesn't care which tug.

Here is what I was thinking. Just put away all other toys and make their life revolve around the tugs until we have the game established and find other ways to get good daily exercise, a tired puppy is a good puppy.

Does this make sense?

Thanks,
Scott