Tug Toys

[Lee Charles Kelley]

Originally Posted by Up Da Crick

i'll add the tug toy to the routine.

Let us know how it goes.

LCK

[Alec]

I finally bought the hose (some of my other tug toys work well but I wanted a cheaper way to have two identical toys at all times). I found it a little hard to find rubber hose (home depot only had one) and I'm not sure if it all rubber (Goodyear Rubber Hose). Anyway, I think I read somewhere to cut them 2 ft long but I think it will work out a little better to cut it about 2 1/2 ft or so (if you're a dork like me and measure it out). The shorter version, however, would be easier to stuff in your pocket to take on walks.

[rudy]

I just read Up da Crick's question and responses about using chewies/bones for tug....

Lou still isn't giving it to me in tug. He'll play some in a no-distraction zone but the toy does nothing if used for redirection. Which I find odd considering his deep need to bite and his willingness to bite people/prey... I think I will try carrying a bully stick or flossy and try to tug with that to get him into the groove of tugging with me for release. He LOVES those. And then a piece of food to get the chewy back after a min.

Pushing for food works great for redirecting Lou.

I'm taking him hiking/camping with my sisters and their dogs next week. Perhaps I'm stretching things a bit by taking him... we'll see. He likes dogs. At least we will always be outside and that is HUGE for Lou. I plan on introducing him to them/dogs in the same way that Neil recommends we introduce 2 dogs - on a walk/hunt, no lurking around the parking lot. Lou has always been good walking around other people but when we stop walking the trouble starts. But if I let the other person take his leash for a while he seems to get in flow with that person.

Any suggestions?

[James]

I think I am gonna buy a few of the nicer ones.. French Linen (the stuff they make bite suites out of), Jute, and rolled leather they may cost a little more (in the $10.00-15.00 range +S&H depending on where you shop on-line), but they are made for the purpose (they use them to train Schuzthund and police K9's) and hold up well, they also come in many convenient sizes that fit into your pockets. You just wont find them at your local Petsmart/co.

I was put off of the hoses they had at Ace hardware, they had some kind of woven metal layer under the rubber and one had a lead warning (it was an Ace brand.) Lastly I worry (probably needlessly) that my pups might start targeting my watering hoses once they get a taste for hose :-)

[neilsattin]

I use the natural rubber hose, but I do ensure that the hose I buy is free from metal reinforcement. I'm pretty sure that it's lead-free too.

I have stated, though, that they're not guaranteed to be completely non-toxic - other options are always welcome. Goal being that they only come out for supervised play.

James - I have yet to have a pup generalize to the garden hose. Fingers crossed and knocking on wood.

[Drea]

no matter what. He's only ever interested in the 'one' he has in his mouth and no amount of cajoling will change his mind. I don't get it. He will 'give' it up if I ask him - but of course he isn't winning then.

On another, but maybe related, note, the last time we were at the dog park, he played fetch with a ball that was already there. I threw the ball, and he actually fetched and brought it back to me several times. At first I thought it was a fluke, then I threw it again, and bring it back he did, then I threw it again, and the same result. Who is this dog and what have you done with Tucker P Macaroon? But at home, he's not interested in balls, only tugs, and only the one he currently has.

Any suggestions?