with our year old current foster mutt - an Akita/GSD mix. He was a bit of a wild child when we found him 6 weeks ago. Basic OB and socialization is coming along nicely.

My question is about tugging - he has a fairly high prey drive anyway, and most of our training has been to calm the boy down - trying to get him 'civilized' for his forever home.

There have been times this summer when it has been so brutally hot that we have this guy inside and he was going ape for play/exercise/activity. We've done basic training inside and played some games such as the shell game, but he's such a physical guy that I started playing tug with an old towel with him - and we both got quite a workout (he's 70 pounds). He'll stop and leave it when I ask, but obviously enjoys the game.

However, I've also read recently that too much 'tug' can increase prey drive - doing so seems counter to our overall goals. He does get a long walk or run every morning when it's cool enough, and a romp in the yard or two in the evening.

What are your opinions about playing 'tug' with a rescue beast that we intend to rehome when we find a suitable home?

I think playing tug with you is a great way to focus and channel that drive.

I agree, just make sure that the home is suitable for this dog..
Make sure that they will continue training him with the tug....
In other words..if it works embrace it and make it part of his "package"

 Quote: steve strom

I think playing tug with you is a great way to focus and channel that drive.

 Quote: willie tilton

I agree, just make sure that the home is suitable for this dog..
Make sure that they will continue training him with the tug....
In other words..if it works embrace it and make it part of his "package"

Sounds good to me!! Thanks, folks.

Oh, and Willie - totally agree that the home needs to be suitable. Here in the Southwest, there is a tradition of dogfighting - we've already been advised by the Akita rescue folks to be on the lookout. Fortunately, the dogfighters will not pay anything for a dog, nor will they fill out any applications, so we've screened them out so far. Of course, we've screened everyone else out as well...but hopefully a suitable home will come along. We do have one outstanding applicant who is interested - but over 3000 miles away...hoping it will work out!!

I agree with Willie and Steve.

I'd add to make sure to add in some control exercises for him to earn the tug...he has to sit or down or do something else that you have on cue, demonstrating that he can control himself, to earn that next little round of tug. I'd do this for the whole session.

JMO

leih

Great idea, leigh, and he does respond to basic OB stuff pretty well, so I'll tie the two together. Thanks.

I play tug at the kennel with some of the clients that need more exercise than I can supply in a 100 X 15ft yard. (especially with dogs that don't do retrieving) I teach the dog the basics of releasing and go from there. I have had people happy that their dog is tired when they go home but intimidated by their own dog if they try tug at home. Anything from growling too much to just the intensity of the dog. I see a lot of great high drive dogs being dumbed down by overfeeding, lack of ENOUGH exercise and boredom. I say go for it if you can control the situation.

Man, when this guy picked up on the idea that it was OK to pull back - he put his whole body into it and we had a war!

So true about the lack of enough exercise and boredom - we fight both when it's so darn hot here in the summer with a high energy dog. When the weather cools it won't be as much of a problem.

Oh - and this guy will retrieve a bunch when he's into it - other times no. My understanding of tug training is that you can eventually build in a backwards chain for retreiving - he brings the tug item back to you - wants to tug.

Thanks for the additional info, Sonya. I think the situation is under 'control' now. What would you look for in terms of losing control? Maybe increased mouthing or biting clothing and tugging?? Rank problems? Thanks.

Could it be that some dogs just like to pull? 1 out of our 3 does little else. Here is an old vid of Suzie playing tug

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8RgzT5HnEQ. I think it was several days after I received Ellis Playing Tug DVD. We are still working on her being too possessive to this day.

Sometimes when they bite or tug at the clothing they just want to play. We have some items laying in the corner and Monty always brings one and pushes it at me when he wants to play. If these items are not available he'd start jump and mouth. I call them items because they are failed toys - nobody wants to play with them but they are good enough for Monty to indicate his desire to play with. I'd rather have him follow me with an item in his mouth than grab at my butt.

Treat yourself, Rob, get the latest Michael Ellis DVDs Tug is used in back chaining for retrieve and it *is* mentioned there.

Thanks, Ana - that video was excellent and the dog reminds me in behavior of our guy alot. I need to get a better tug, I can see that right away.

I do have the Ellis "tug" video, and it does a great job describing what to do with the tug once introduced. Heck, I just grabbed an old towel and played tug-of war the other day as a means to get this guy some exercise - he doesn't have the 'rules' of tug down yet. I haven't found a good source of info about the transition between food and tug for training purposes - and that's sortof where we are, I guess. Also, there is quite a bit of info out there about the "danger" of playing tug with a dominant dog, yada yada.