Tug Tug 3 dogs and Three Tugs

All the talk this summer about being the cookie, working for free and having variations of rewards has made me think about tugging quite specifically and my expectations for tugging. I don't think a dog has to tug to be any good (Brody is a fine example of that) but I do think tug is a fun interactive way to reward a dog who enjoys it. It is a relationship building activity that is fun plain and simple.

Three of the dogs here like to tug. I have taught all three of these dogs to seek out tugging for fun. (Actually Thea really enjoys tugging sometimes too). Making the video was interesting as I couldn't direct tug and film at the same time. The dogs seemed to cope OK and you see their different tugging styles. I deliberately brought out three different toys to tug so you could see that they will all tug what is offered. I did not bring Sally's ultimate favourite tug out as I was quite sure I would not be able to control the camera and the flyer together.

The filming is a little crazy but you get some sense of the way tug works here. Sally couldn't believe it was all about tugging - she jumped a jump, ran through a tunnel, did right and left turns and pounded on various toys with glee. You may see me switch toys on both Sally and Quiz - who are both happy to tug what is presented. Sampson is too but he was having so much fun with the fuzzy I couldn't bear to make him work!