Having discovered that Cassie is very willing to engage in tuggy play if she see's me dragging the toy behind me, rather than waving it around in front of me to entice her, I'm keen to utilize this and if nothing else use it to keep her close on walks. The thing is that while I understand the concept of both letting her win and stopping when she's still engaged, how do I actually let her win in such away that she doesn't just play with it and then just lose interest. And I understand that giving it back to her is her reward, but how do I eventually stop so that she doesn't feel I'm a meany for taking it away? I'm a person of little brain , I've been struggling with this for a while.
I play controlled tug with Charlie, I have a rabbit skin tug which he loves, so I wave it around on the ground whilst he sits, I then say "take it" we play tug then I say "drop", we repeat a few times but when I want the game to end on a high I immediately get out his oversized tennis ball and throw it for him as a reward and put the tug back in my bag, we have a kick around then do some dummy retrieving or something else. Not sure if that helps you @selina27 but Charlie is very happy with this arrangement x
A good game is switching toys. Start with two identical toys and work on her dropping one while she's tugging it to grab the other - you can do this by making the first one "dead" and animating the second one, so it becomes more interesting. Once she has the concept, you can put this on cue. Then you can start doing it from a distance, so let her win the first tug, then give your switch cue to grab the second one. It may be easier to do this with her on lead first, especially if she's one to run off with it. What you really want is for her to learn the game is with you, rather than away from you.
Giving it back isn't the reward....the dog offering it to you and you agreeing to play tug should be the reward. It's not about you taking the toy and giving it back. It's about the dog winning the toy and desperately thrusting it back in you hand to play again... Start in your kitchen, not on a walk.
If she is engaged and having fun playing with you why would she lose interest? As JulieT says As with all training and activities you should have a cue that signals the end of fun and training to your dog. I use 'finish' and train this as well with clients dogs.
And in your living room, and your hall, and then the garden before you try it out in the big exciting world
Hi @Jojo83. One short question, hope selina doesnt mind, I have the feeling I need to install the finish cue, I don't have one as although in theory it is useful, but I haven't felt the need to do it yet in practice. Though I do end up feeling like something is indeed missing there at the end, on the other hand, don't the dogs understand when it's over with (by end of interaction or me moving away or my body language for example), without saying/cue ? Thanks.
When I end the game and put the tug toy away, I either give a food reward or I hand Molly a plastic bottle to carry (because she likes doing that!)
I train a word, with a hand signal, to ensure that there is a very clear, unambiguous end to a play or training session. Some dogs can get jumpy/mouthy/pushy when you stop training/playing because they are having fun/very engaged/in an heightened state of arousal and having a clear signal helps prevent that. Dogs are very good at reading our body language but to use our body language would have to move in exactly the same way each and every time and could cause confusion - for instance if you stop interacting can you ensure that you don't stop at any other time in the training/play - I know I look away sometimes? Or if you use a turn away that you never turn away during training/play- I know I do to get a treat or something I use in training? To end a training session, I toss a treat to the floor to release from position and then use 'finish with the hand signal. If playing I ask for an 'out' (the cue I train to release the tugtoy), throw a treat to the floor and then use my 'finish.
Thanks @Joy and @Jojo83 for the tips and advice. This I do recognize, as it does happen with Gaston from time to time: Makes all sense, different body language too. Will be thinking of a cue to use.
Thank you @charlie, I guess that's what I'm after. Cassie has no interest in balls, but she does like plastic milk cartons so this might work like @Joy uses bottles with Molly. Thank you, yes, I have read about this and plan to start doing this game. Thank you for that, a light bulb moment for me. She is already starting to do so in the house. I already do, and yes I understand about starting in a low distraction environment. Thanks for all your replies, I feel much clearer in my head now.
