Ace bandage tug toys

[Valerie]

I think I may have found a good tug toy for Eka, my softie who resists pushing. Ace bandages! I've tried stuffed toys with squeakers soft and firm, braided fleece, knotted rope toys, sticks. I have not tried the rubber hose option but I did try some rubber toys and they didn't hold her interest.

We'll see how the bandages do over time, but I think she can really chomp on them easily and I wonder if when she wins, I let go and the ends snap back around her head and face she gets a little 'shock' (Kevin's definition of shock). I try to let go so this doesn't happen too much so she isn't put off but with the elastic material it's hard to completely avoid this.

I wouldn't have even thought of them, but my mom had thrown out an ace bandage while we were cleaning today and this evening Eka pulled it out of the trash and was playing with it and chewing on it. Light bulb moment. I cut it in two and went outside. It also helped that I was watching Neil's dvd's and was inspired by seeing everything in action. I was able to get her to tug repeatedly and also do fetch-tug which I haven't really been able to get her to do before.

Very exciting! Also exciting to finally have the dvd's. It is amazing what a difference it makes to see pushing and tug and fetch-tug in action. It really does, totally worth it.

[Chris]

Great you have the DVD now Valerie, doesn't it help so much.

Also great you have found a good tug toy, my problem is finding something that lasts. Finally got onto a tug frisbee and man is it tough, even a GSD takes a few months to distroy it

[Valerie]

I can see how finding a lasting toy for a GSD could be quite a quest! I've seen those toys that are the size of my arm at the store.

Seeing the dvds made such a huge difference, especially with how to look more prey-like. I feel a little silly being so floppy but it seems to be making a difference.