My dog will play tug with me and bring the tug back but when I go to grab it to reengage he drops it. How would I go about countering this tendency?

I'd keep a long cord on the tug and keep gentle tension on it to encourage him to keep gripping it. You may also be leaning over him a bit which causes some dogs to feel some spacial pressure and move back or drop what they have in their mouth.



I'll link some resources for you below.