are different things.

I've learned my dog to play tuggy with my leash for training. It is a toy I carry with me all the time, and I can use it during obedienceshows. It is my toy though, and I'm telling him when to play!

You might try to get a toy, or a rope made of fleece (they are wonderfull and work like charm!), to get him to play with. Each time he grabs his leash, move your hand over the leash and take it out of his mouth. Reward with his toy!

It is a great idea to go back to training with a problem like that, because he is working his boundaries, and finding out how far he can go in directing you!

Good luck,

Ineke

I do, and they play with each other.

But I control the game, when I say done, it's done... as Jen does using it to teach the "out" or "leave it" commands. So you want to make sure you can use those commands effectively before really engaging in a game of Tug-of war, IMO.

I really don't think it will change his leash-biting behaviour though, that seems out there to me. Maybe if she is trying to get you to re-direct the behaviour???

If leash-biting is a major problem I've heard of people switching to a chain leash until the break the habit as chain is not near as fun to bite. You could try that.

as you begin the game and you end the game. They can get carried away playing tug so he needs to learn that you control the game and can stop it when you say.

the strings come off and they can get swallowed. MacKenzie threw up a huge wad of string so we don't give them rope toys any more.

Boris has a rope once. Swollowed some and it got stuck in there for a while... My poor husband eventually had to help pull it out. Yuck!

I've seen some ropes made out of fleece material too. Might try that. Then I can freshen it up after he's slobbered on it.

Boris

they can pull apart, scratch/cut the gums etc., Just be careful. We play with rubbery things. =D

'Twas not my lips you kissed
But my soul ~ Judy Garland
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I agree it's seems like a natural instinct and I know he'd LOVE it! Maybe I'll get him a rope to trade for his leash and see if that helps. Sometimes I stick a kong in his mouth and that temporarily works...but isn't solving our problem.

Boris

we tug at home for play - but I mostly wanted Twister tugging so I could use it in our training - he gets to tug after I teach something, as a "break out" fun time

your boy looks pretty powerful, make sure you always have the upper hand if your going to encourage his tugging instinct - you need to set the rules for that game and be the one in control, don't let him get pushy with it

We play tug all the time. That is about all he likes to play. Why would it be a bad thing?

Janice

The tugging of the leash is only one of the many reasons we're back in training again...

Boris

Her games are 'fetch', which usually becomes 'tug' for part of the game, 'catch' and pure 'tug. She loves it. It's only a problem if you dog tends toward agressive behavior.

if your bulldog likes to tug, I personally see no problem with that, both of mine do. But having him tug, is NOT going to fix his problem with tugging on the leash, in fact, it may make it worse...you need to break him of that now and let him know that is not acceptable. Before I ever teach a tug, my dog has a "out" or "give" so we can turn the play off and on

We do play with Onslow and he knows not to be too rough or the game is over. =)

'Twas not my lips you kissed
But my soul ~ Judy Garland
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To play TUG & we play it with Dolly some & she loves it. However, Dolly is a very NON aggressive kind of Bullie. I don't think it would ever be a problem with her & we also play lots of other games.



BE MY VALENTINE

Because she's blind, no more fetch the toy. That said, we always played tug. I just made it very clear that, if she got too rough, the game was over. I'd just drop the other end and leave the room. She got the message pretty quick that you "have to play nice if you're going to play tug".