[Alan]

Ive heard that when playing a game like tug - o -war you always have to win or your dog will get the idea that he is pack leader. Do you agree with this philosophy? Other people have said that this is makeing way too big of a deal out of play time.

[NcPrisonGuard]

I never let my dogs win.. but then again I am 6'4 and 300+ pounds.. so I can usually just overpower my dogs and take it from them... I don't know if they see it as a test of dominace, but I always win just in case.. if I get too tired I let the springpole out

[Rai_77]

I've always heard that you shouldn't play tug-of-war with a dog period, because it confuses dominance issues. I can't get my boy to play anything anyway, he'll just sit and wait to be petted.

[Patch O' Pits]

Yes, I play tug with them and yes they do get to win, but also know that out means out and who is in charge LOL

[MercedesMama]

They win. If I tried to win, they'd rip my shoulder outta socket.

[Maddie's Mom]

We play ALOT of tug at my house. I alternate between letting them win and having them give me the tug. In addition, a tug is the reward for my flyball dog.

BTW, this is a great great strength building exercise for the dogs back legs. I watched a canine strength building DVD which noted this. http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fu...&ParentCat=215 When you are playing tug tell them back (or if they do not know what back means make them walk back and name the behavior). I do this often with my lab with bad hips

[Chiapit]

Originally Posted by MercedesMama They win. If I tried to win, they'd rip my shoulder outta socket.

LOL...same here

[Alan]

I also heard leting them win builds up their confindence.

[Miakoda]

Ummm.....if they never won, they wouldn't want to play anymore. It's like wanting a racehorse to always come in second and still maintain the desire to run/race......Not gonna happen.

However, games of tug-of-war are always started by me and are always ended by me. And at any time if the dog gets out of hand or refuses to "out" when told, then game over.

[tat2stuff]

I let them win about half the time, like Mia said, if they never win, why would they want to play anymore. I've never had a dominance issue develop over it

[Debbie]

It doesn't matter....Gretchen's so passive/submissive, that even if she does win.....she's still at the bottom of the totem pole....

[Shes Got Heart]

I just play and don't really worry about it. She knows what OUT means. When I'm tried of playing I just drop the rope. She generally brings it back to me wanting to play some more.

[screamin'eagle]

I can win in tug, but in chase/keep away I am not even a competitor! lol
My dog is way too fast!

[jennay2]

I don't have a choice but to let her win. We're still working on a proofed drop it though

[LoveThosePits]

I just play with my dog and really don't worry about it. When I am tired I just tell him stop and drop the other end of the rope. If he is not tired he continue to play with the rope alone.

[Wiggle_Butt]

I don't worry about it either.
When I get tired I just tie the rope to a tree while she is still on the other end and leave her there. LoL

[pit bull godess]

My 2 females grab a rope and play tug-a-war with each other.

[Marie]

It makes total sense to me. I'd rather appear the dominate figure than take the chance that HE feels dominate and therefore feels he can walk all over me. I'm nervous enough not knowing this breed already and I'm generally too soft cuz I love animals so much!

[Marie]

what is a springpole?

[Zoe]

Here's some springpole links...

http://www.cosmos-staffords.co.uk/Tr...ring_pole.html

http://www.workingpitbull.com/springpole.htm