TUG - The Game - Page 2 - Poodle Forum - Standard Poodle, Toy Poodle, Miniature Poodle Forum ALL Poodle owners too!

Onyx11 · 01-27-2012, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arcticfox

I can't get Tesla to engage in tug games with me. She seems to prefer just chewing on whatever toy we're using on her own. When she takes a toy, she will deliberately lie down facing away from me. o.0
When I offer a tug toy, she'll just chew (constantly adjusting her grip) on the end closest to her but doesn't clamp down. I don't know if it's something wrong with her mouth or bite so that she can't clamp down, or whether she's just not interested in tugging? We have a couple of different toys, a plush duck with a rope for a tail, a ball attached to a rope, a kong wubba octopus, etc. None of them have gotten her to clamp down on it for more than a couple seconds. If I try to shake the toy or pull on it even a little bit, she'll just drop it. Then try to chew it again.

Onyx will tug sometimes with me but also constantly adjusting his grip it's like he is trying to get a better grip on it to pull more.

Kloliver · 01-28-2012, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outwest

I am glad the experts say it is okay to do it because we do that a lot!

Oh my gosh , YES! Tug is an fun & amazing way to teach bite inhibition, jazz-em up, wind-em-down, out/ give/ release/ drop. It's SO bonding, I agree. When I drop the tug, he brings it back as though to say, "I'm sorry, I'm strong but I'd still like to play so I'll give you another chance. Ready? Hang on this time"

JE-UK · 01-29-2012, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arcticfox

I can't get Tesla to engage in tug games with me. She seems to prefer just chewing on whatever toy we're using on her own. When she takes a toy, she will deliberately lie down facing away from me. o.0
When I offer a tug toy, she'll just chew (constantly adjusting her grip) on the end closest to her but doesn't clamp down. I don't know if it's something wrong with her mouth or bite so that she can't clamp down, or whether she's just not interested in tugging? We have a couple of different toys, a plush duck with a rope for a tail, a ball attached to a rope, a kong wubba octopus, etc. None of them have gotten her to clamp down on it for more than a couple seconds. If I try to shake the toy or pull on it even a little bit, she'll just drop it. Then try to chew it again.

Is it possible her teeth bother her and that's why she's not interested in tug?

If discomfort is ruled out, I would think it would be easy enough to build tug into a reward using a clicker. I'd offer the toy, and if she takes it, click and treat. Progressively move to clicking for holding the toy longer and longer, then to holding it for gentle tugs, then to holding it for longer tug sessions.

I never had to train mine to tug; he came with tugging pre-installed at the factory

.

Arcticfox · 01-29-2012, 02:03 AM

JE-UK:
I think it might be because she's teething. I found a tooth on the floor the other day. (She's 4 and a half months). I might have to go find her a better tug toy too, last week she latched onto the rope toy at her puppy class pretty well - it was super frayed on one end. It might be the solid rope/hard knot that she had problems holding onto. How do I find a pre-frayed rope though? Lol

BorderKelpie · 01-29-2012, 03:47 AM

I was just going to suggest the teething issue. I do bite sports with my GSD, you can always tell when one of the pups in the club is starting to teethe by the way they give up on the tugs. The regripping is a fair indicator of teething, too.
Just play gently right now until all the teeth are in then have a good tug game.

Currently, my GSD lets me drag her all the way back to the truck by her ball on a rope. It's a great reward for them.

I just have to remember that my toy poodle is NOT a GSD, although whenever I do forget, she doesn't seem to mind going airborne. She just hangs on and enjoys the ride. Oops.

Countryboy · 01-29-2012, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arcticfox

I might have to go find her a better tug toy too, last week she latched onto the rope toy at her puppy class pretty well - it was super frayed on one end. It might be the solid rope/hard knot that she had problems holding onto. How do I find a pre-frayed rope though? Lol

How good are u at braiding?

I bought a braided tug toy at a dog show last fall. Abt three feet long, made of strips of fabric all braided together and tied off at both ends. It's Tonka's favourite. When any visitors come to the house he immediately goes and gets it . . . looking for a game!

zyrcona · 02-18-2012, 04:02 PM

This is how I work out these days. :-)

CharismaticMillie · 02-18-2012, 04:30 PM

A lot of dogs need to be taught to tug. In fact, in my basic manners class that I am taking with Tiger (all positive clicker training/Victoria Stillwell approved trainer), we did work on proper tugging. This meant teaching those who don't want to tug how to tug properly (confidence building to some degree) and those that tug too voraciously can be taught to be more appropriate tuggers.