Question 1

Are rope toys safe for dogs?

Accepted Answer

If you buy a good quality, well-made rope toy it will be safe for your canine. However, there are a few caveats. If your dog is an excessive or extremely destructive chewer, a tug toy may not be the best, as they can focus on the toy as an object to chew on. So, it's essential that a rope tug toy is not left to become a chew toy. It should only be used under supervision and taken away from your dog at the end of your tug-game session.

Question 2

Can tug of war hurt a dog's teeth?

Accepted Answer

If used properly, a game of tug of war should not hurt your pet’s teeth or jaw. The key thing to remember is to always let your dog win and know when to release so that the pressure of the tug doesn’t do any harm. And always make sure you get the right type of tug toy for your pooch, taking into consideration his breed, size and most importantly, his age. The teeth and jaws of puppies and young dogs are still maturing so if you are too rough or have a too tough a tug toy, you could do some damage. If you do want to play tug with a pup, go gentle and try not to pull, let the puppy play with you so he quickly wins, to keep those baby bones and teeth happy.

Question 3

Does tug of war make dogs aggressive?

Accepted Answer

For your average dog who doesn’t have any negative aggression tendencies, a game of tug is a fun way to play with his human and won’t make him any more aggressive. However, tug may not be the most appropriate game for a dog with a history of aggression or excessive dominance as there's the chance he could take the play too seriously and be over-stimulated.

Dog Toys