Tug toys for dogs and how to play tug safely

Is tug-of-war bad for dogs?

Advice on this has changed over the years, and you'll still see both views. Some shelters, for example, still suggest saving tug toys for games between dogs rather than between people and dogs.^[5]

The best study we found points the other way. Researchers played 20 sessions of tug with 14 Golden Retrievers, letting them win every game in one round and lose every game in another. Winning or losing didn't change the dogs' confidence, the measure closest to what people mean by dominance. The dogs were more attentive and obedient after tug sessions either way.^[4]

The ASPCA goes further for puppies. It suggests tug and fetch as better outlets than wrestling or rough play with your hands, and keeping a tug toy handy to redirect a puppy who's nipping at ankles.^[3]

The rules that make tug a good game

Shelter trainers teach tug with the same few rules. They keep the game fun, and they give you a reliable way to get the toy back.^[1],[2]

• You start the game. Your dog sits or lies down and waits for a cue like "Take it" or "Get it" before grabbing the toy.^[1],[2]
• "Drop" means drop. Teach a release cue like "Drop" or "Give." Once your dog knows it, not letting go when asked ends the game.^[1],[2]
• Teeth on skin ends the game. If your dog's teeth touch your hand, drop the toy and walk away for a short time out. A long tug toy makes misses less likely.^[1],[2]
• Tug in short bursts. Tug for 10 to 20 seconds, ask for a release, then start again. Repeating that pattern is how your dog learns that letting go means more tug, not the end of fun.^[1]
• End on a calm note. When you're done, ask for the release as usual, then ask for a sit and give a treat.^[1]

Growling during tug is usually part of the fun. A dog who follows these rules can tug hard, shake the toy, and even growl.^[2]

Should you let your dog win?

It's fine to let your dog win some rounds. In the Golden Retriever study, winning didn't change the dogs' confidence, and the most playful dogs asked for more play after winning than after losing.^[4]

What matters more than who wins is the release. If your dog lets go on cue every time, you can hand the toy back as the reward and keep the game going.^[1]

Go gently with puppies and older dogs

• Light resistance only. A canine fitness trainer quoted by the American Kennel Club advises only light resistance when playing tug with young puppies, or with senior dogs who might have physical issues.^[6]
• Keep the neck in line. The same trainer suggests keeping your dog's spine in a neutral line, and warns against yanking the toy up and down so that your dog's feet leave the ground and the neck twists.^[6]
• Soft on teeth and gums. Pick a tug with some length to it, made of a material that's easy on teeth and gums. ASPCA trainers suggest fleece or soft rope for tug, and for a puppy a soft fleece or felt tug is a kind choice.^[6],[1]
• Let go if something seems off. Pulling hard on a toy your puppy won't release isn't worth it. Stop, wait, and use the release cue instead.

We couldn't find veterinary research on how often tug injures teeth or necks, so treat these as sensible habits rather than hard rules. If your puppy is losing baby teeth, our teething guide covers what's normal.

Rubber, rope, fleece, or bungee?

• Fleece and felt. Soft and kind to young teeth, and they don't shed loose strands like rope. ASPCA trainers suggest a fleece or soft rope toy about 1 to 2 feet long for tug. Most won't survive being chewed, so put them away after play.^[1]
• Rubber. Durable and easy to wash, with no fibers to pull loose. Rubber tugs are usually thinner than chew toys, so they're still for tugging, not for chewing alone.
• Rope. Dogs love the texture, but rope toys often get shredded, and the pieces can be swallowed or get stuck in teeth. Use rope only for games with you.^[7]
• Bungee and stretchy tugs. A stretchy section gives a little when your dog pulls, so the game feels smoother, and some makers say it keeps the toy from snapping back at you. We haven't found research showing that bungee tugs prevent injuries, so choose one for comfort, not as a safety device.

Whatever the material, choose a toy long enough to keep teeth away from your hands, and one too big to swallow or fit whole in your dog's mouth.^[1],[7]

Rope toys and swallowed string

Swallowed string is more than a tummy upset. String, cords, and fabric can catch in the gut and act as what vets call a linear foreign body. As the intestine tries to move it along, the string can bunch the gut up and even cut through the wall. Dogs seem to develop these tears more readily than cats.^[8]

• Play, then put it away. Keep rope and fabric tugs for games with you, and store them out of reach afterward.^[7]
• Check toys often. Even the safest toys break down with enough play. Inspect tugs regularly and throw out any that are fraying, torn, or coming apart.^[7]
• A couple at a time. Keeping just one or two toys out makes it easier to notice missing pieces.^[7]