Tug with a puppy and the amazing Butters

[Margot]

I have a new puppy, a Lhasa Apso who is 13 weeks old now. With my career change Butters does not go to his sitter anymore and was missing doggy company.

Well not any longer !! He is working overtime with this one. Everytime we go out for a pee walk, or after food, Towelie gets an energy surge and starts playing with Butters which often means pelting into him with a full body slam and grabbing a mouth full of fur and playing tug with it - Tibetan breeds are notorious for the latter. When I feel it gets too much I redirect her with a tug toy.

The outrageous thing is, Butters is starting to do the same. At first he tried pushing her onto the tug toy but realised that was pointless and now grabs the toy himself and invites her to play with it. It works. My dog knows all about NDT and redirection and stuff - I'm so proud.

Question is, it has been said in the past that tug is too emotionally charged for a small pup. Do we still feel that way?