OSoSwift Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 I want to try an establish really good tug with my Whippet pup. He is not quite 12 weeks old. When or how it the best time or way to start tug with a pup? Obviously you have to be careful around teething time, any pointers appreciated :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zug Zug Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Soft tug toy as soon as you like, but keeping things light by wiggling the tug on the ground and encouraging the pup to chase and catch it. Nothing rough yet but keep it silly and very brief. That's how I started with my pup anyway, and he loves to tug. I could have put more emphasis on the 'out' command, because he sometimes hangs on a bit, but not too bad. So perhaps rewards for releasing the tug? I would be interested to see what others suggest about that aspect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huski Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Start from day one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Ditto to the rest. And take extra care during teething. I backed off tugging with my boy a bit during teething time, but when I did tug he got even easier *wins* than usual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ness Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Kenz started tugging the night she bounced off the plane from WA :laugh:. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huski Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 I should add the out is something we teach from the very first tug game we play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Maeby Fünke Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Please excuse my ignorance. What is the purpose of tug in obedience? I have only ever played tug as a game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huski Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 (edited) Please excuse my ignorance. What is the purpose of tug in obedience? I have only ever played tug as a game. Tug is reward just like food. We use it for prey driven dogs. Obedience is one big game we play! Here's a brief example of a training session with my youngster. She's being rewarded with a ball we play chase and tug with. Edited October 4, 2013 by huski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Maeby Fünke Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Oh that was really good! Thanks for that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted October 4, 2013 Author Share Posted October 4, 2013 Okey dokey tugging lots here we come :) Won't take much encouragment as he loves to chase and bite things that move :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Podengo Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 We started day one :) Well before day one even, when I went to look at Elsie at the farm she was born on I took a toy with me to see if she would tug, and she was all over like a mad thing! Did not want to give my soft toy back hehe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC Crazy Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Both my guys started day one here with a soft toy or something alike. Both love it. I start & finish the game. I sometimes play it with both dogs or with one while the other waits their turn. They also love theit Flirt Pole. They see me get that out & it's party time LOL :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 I am cautious with a gundog but my normal approach would be to start early but let pup dictate how hard the game is - pup does all the work. Whether I teach a "give" depends on how enthusiastic the pup is to tug. I would be tugging with pup in as many different environments as possible as it's common for pups to tug really well at home but be overwhelmed in other settings. Also incorporate rules when pup is happily tugging - you can work on "outs", a shaped sit, bringing the retrieve toy to you and tugging with the toy that YOU choose. Have fun and take lots of videos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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