How to Play Tug With Your Dog: Safe, Reward-Based Tug Games

Updated August 2026

Tug can be a brilliant game to play with your dog.

Played thoughtfully, it gives your dog an appropriate outlet for grabbing, pulling and shaking, provides physical and mental enrichment and can make you much more interesting to your dog.

It can also be a useful reward during training.

And no, playing tug does not automatically make a dog aggressive or encourage them to think they are in charge.

The important bit is not whether you play tug. It is how you play it.

I use play as part of enrichment with many of the dogs I care for, but I adapt the game to the individual dog. Some dogs adore a vigorous game of tug. Others prefer sniffing, searching, food enrichment or carrying a toy around without anybody trying to wrestle it from them.

The dog in front of you matters more than the game.

Quick answer: Is tug-of-war good for dogs?

For many dogs, yes.

A good game of tug can:

• provide an outlet for natural play behaviours
• make training more enjoyable
• strengthen interaction between dog and owner
• provide mental and physical enrichment
• help some dogs build confidence through play
• give toy-motivated dogs an alternative reward to food

Blue Cross includes tug-of-war among the main games dogs can enjoy with people and describes it as a rewarding outlet for natural behaviour.

The key is to use a suitable toy, keep the movements appropriate for your dog’s age and physical ability, allow breaks and stop if either of you is no longer enjoying it.

Does playing tug make dogs aggressive?

This is one of those dog myths that has hung around for far too long.

Playing an appropriate game of tug does not mean you are teaching your dog to dominate you, nor do you need to win every game to prove that you are in charge.

In fact, I am perfectly happy for a dog to win.

Dogs Trust recommends letting dogs win games sometimes, and there is no reason every tug session needs to end with the human triumphantly confiscating the toy.

Sometimes I let go, and the dog trots away looking enormously pleased with themselves.

That’s part of the fun.

What matters is that both dog and human are comfortable with the game.

Choosing a good tug toy

I prefer a purpose-made tug toy that gives the dog a clear area to grab while leaving enough distance between their mouth and my hands.

Look for:

• an appropriate size for your dog
• a comfortable area for the dog to grip
• enough length to keep your hands away from teeth
• materials suitable for your dog’s play style
• strong stitching and construction
• a comfortable handle where appropriate

Bigger and stronger does not automatically mean better.

A small dog needs something they can comfortably grip. A puppy may benefit from something softer and lighter. A powerful adult dog may require something considerably more robust.

Whatever you use, inspect it regularly.

Loose threads, torn fabric, exposed stuffing, damaged handles and pieces that could be swallowed are all reasons to retire a toy.

You can read my separate guide to choosing and using dog toys safely before deciding what is appropriate for your dog.

How to play tug with your dog

You don’t need lots of complicated rules.

I prefer a simple game in which the dog understands when play is available, has opportunities to pause and can willingly release the toy without it becoming a confrontation.

1. Invite your dog to play

Offer the toy and make it interesting with a little movement.

Don’t push it into your dog’s face.

Some dogs will immediately grab it. Others need time to investigate it. And some simply aren’t interested in tug.

That’s fine.

Play should be voluntary.

2. Keep the toy low

Once your dog has a comfortable grip, move the toy gently from side to side rather than repeatedly yanking upwards.

Try to keep your movements reasonably level with the dog’s body.

Avoid lifting the dog from the ground, encouraging repeated high jumping or violently swinging the dog’s head and neck around.

The aim is interactive play, not to see who can produce the most dramatic slow-motion wrestling video.

3. Let your dog pull too

Tug should be interactive.

You don’t have to do all the work. Let your dog pull against you and adjust the resistance to suit them.

With a smaller dog, puppy or senior dog, that resistance may be very gentle.

4. Let your dog win

Let go occasionally.

Your dog may parade around with their prize, bring it back and ask for another game or simply enjoy possessing it for a moment.

Winning doesn’t make your dog dominant.

It can help keep the game enjoyable.

5. Build in pauses

A good tug game doesn’t have to be one continuous frenzy.

After a short spell of play, stop moving the toy.

Give your dog a chance to pause.

You can then restart if they are still comfortable and keen to engage.

These little breaks are particularly useful for dogs who become very excited during play.

6. Finish while the game is still enjoyable

More isn’t always better.

Several short bouts of enjoyable play can be more useful than continuing until your dog is exhausted, frantic or frustrated.

Afterwards, give them an opportunity to settle.

For more low-key ways to occupy a dog, see my indoor brain games for dogs.

Teaching your dog to release the tug toy

You don’t need to pry your dog’s jaws apart or turn releasing a toy into a battle.

I prefer to teach a voluntary exchange.

Start with something your dog will willingly swap for, such as a tasty treat or another toy.

When they release the tug, mark or calmly acknowledge the behaviour and reward them.

Then, where appropriate, give the tug toy back and restart the game.

That last part can be very useful.

If releasing the toy always means, “Thanks, that’s gone forever”, a dog has rather less reason to hand it over.

Dogs Trust recommends reward-based training and notes that games such as tug can become valuable rewards in themselves.

What if my dog’s teeth touch my hand?

Accidents happen during an enthusiastic game.

If your dog’s teeth make contact with you, don’t shout, punish or turn it into a confrontation.

Stop the game.

Become boring for a moment and give everyone a chance to reset.

Dogs Trust recommends calmly becoming still and pausing the game when teeth contact skin, then resuming afterwards, so the dog learns that keeping their mouth on the toy keeps the fun going. (Dogs Trust)

If accidental contact occurs frequently, look at both the toy and the dog.

A longer tug toy may give you both much more room.

Tug can be a training reward

Not every dog considers a biscuit the greatest thing mankind has ever invented.

For a dog who genuinely loves tug, a short game can be an excellent reward.

That can be particularly useful for:

• recall practice
• engagement with you
• rewarding good choices
• adding fun to training
• providing an alternative to food rewards

The important word is reward.

If your dog doesn’t enjoy tug, it isn’t a reward simply because we have decided it ought to be.

Find what your individual dog values.

You can read more about my approach in the Dog Training Hub.

Tug with puppies

Puppies can enjoy tug, but I keep things gentler.

Their bodies and mouths are still developing, and puppies don’t need vigorous pulling or jerking.

Choose something lightweight and easy to grip. Keep sessions short and let the puppy do most of the pulling rather than using a lot of force yourself.

Teething can also make a puppy’s mouth uncomfortable. If they don’t want to play, don’t insist.

A tug can also provide an appropriate outlet for some of the grabbing and mouthing that comes naturally to puppies, but it isn’t a substitute for teaching them calmly and consistently.

My puppy guides contain more help for those first months together.

Tug with senior dogs

Older dogs don’t necessarily stop wanting to play.

The game may simply need to change.

For a senior dog, I would consider:

• a softer or easier-to-grip toy
• gentler resistance
• slower movements
• shorter sessions
• good footing
• avoiding twisting and jumping

Watch the dog rather than their birth certificate.

If your senior dog’s willingness to play changes noticeably, or they appear stiff, sore or uncomfortable during or after activity, speak to your vet.

Tug with nervous and rescue dogs

Play can be wonderful for confidence, but it shouldn’t become another source of pressure.

Some nervous dogs discover play gradually as they become more comfortable. Others may happily play at home but not outside where the environment is more difficult.

Don’t force interaction.

Give the dog choices and notice the small signs that tell you whether they are genuinely enjoying themselves.

For some dogs, a toy can eventually become a very useful way to interact with and reward them. For others, sniffing or food may remain much more valuable.

That’s perfectly OK.

You can find more about my individual approach on the Rescue Dog Support page.

What about dogs who get very excited during tug?

Excitement isn’t automatically a problem.

Tug is supposed to be fun.

What I’m watching for is whether the dog can still think, take breaks and return to a calmer state afterwards.

If the game produces increasingly frantic grabbing, repeated jumping at you, difficulty disengaging or frustration when the toy disappears, I’d change how we’re playing.

That might mean:

• shorter bouts
• more frequent pauses
• gentler movement
• alternating tug with sniffing or searching
• ending before arousal becomes excessive
• choosing a calmer enrichment activity on that occasion

The answer isn’t necessarily to ban tug. It may simply need to be played differently.

Tug and resource guarding

Resource guarding needs more care.

If your dog freezes, stiffens, growls, snaps, guards toys, or becomes worried when people approach something they value, don’t repeatedly grab things from them to show you can.

And don’t use tug as an amateur test of who is in charge.

Growling is communication.

Listen to it rather than punishing it.

Use sensible management and seek help from an appropriately qualified, reward-based professional where necessary.

Blue Cross also advises that dogs should be left alone when chewing on a toy and highlights the importance of recognising body language that signals a need for space.

My Behaviour & Body Language Hub has more guidance on understanding what your dog may be communicating.

Children and tug games

I would supervise tug between children and dogs very carefully.

A game that is perfectly manageable between an adult and dog can become much less predictable when a child is holding the other end.

Children may hold the toy too close to their hands, wave it around their face, become frightened when a dog growls during play, or continue after the dog has had enough.

For some households, adult-led tug is simply the safer choice.

Blue Cross advises against rough wrestling and chase games involving dogs and children because highly exciting play can get out of hand.

When I wouldn’t play tug

I’d stop or avoid the game if:

• the dog appears frightened or uncomfortable
• the dog is showing concerning guarding behaviour
• there is pain or an injury that could be aggravated by pulling
• the dog has dental or mouth problems
• the toy is damaged
• the dog repeatedly swallows pieces of toys
• the game is becoming difficult for the dog to disengage from
• the surface is slippery or unsafe
• your vet has advised restricting this type of activity

If your dog suddenly stops wanting to tug when they previously loved it, particularly alongside changes in eating, chewing, movement or behaviour, it is worth discussing that change with your vet.

The tug toys I use and recommend

You don’t need an overflowing toy box.

I’d rather have a few suitable toys that actually match the dog’s play style.

Tug-E-Nuff specialises in interactive tug and training toys, including longer chaser toys, bungee designs and smaller pocket toys. Their current range includes options intended for puppies, small dogs and larger dogs.

I particularly like having enough distance between my hand and the dog’s mouth, rather than trying to play tug with something tiny.

If you’d like to look at the range, you can use my affiliate link:

Tug-E-Nuff dog toys

Choose based on your dog’s size, strength, and preferred play style, rather than simply buying the toughest or most expensive option.

Tug is supposed to be fun

That’s really the point.

You don’t need to dominate your dog, win every round or turn a simple game into an obedience examination.

Use an appropriate toy. Keep everybody safe. Let your dog win. Practise useful pauses and exchanges. Adjust the game to the individual dog.

And if your dog would rather spend ten minutes sniffing the garden than play tug with you?

Let them sniff.

Good enrichment is about giving a dog appropriate opportunities to do things they enjoy, not about ticking off games from somebody else’s list.

For more activities and help choosing suitable equipment, visit Dog Enrichment Toys and Tools I Recommend or browse my Canine Enrichment guides.

Further reading

Blue Cross: How to Play With Your Dog

Dogs Trust: Enrichment Activities for Dogs

Dogs Trust: Positive Reinforcement Training With Rewards

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• Best Enrichment Toys for Rescue Dogs
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