Does playing tug of war make a dog aggressive?
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I recently took in a new dog, Bentley, a Labrador mix. This dog LOVES to play tug-of-war and usually wins. His previous owners had to rehome him because they could not give him the time and attention he needed. So far, we have not had many issues, except for tug-of-war. It’s his favorite game, and I don’t mind playing with him. However, my friend came over to meet him and was upset that we were playing tug-of-war. She says it teaches dogs to be aggressive and even blames it as the reason a dog bit her as a kid. She started crying and said she couldn’t come over because of my aggressive new dog. I don’t think Bentley is at all aggressive, and he loves everyone. He does get really into playing tug-of-war but has never shown any ill will towards people or other pets. I think my friend might just be afraid of big dogs. Is there any truth to the idea that tug-of-war encourages or teaches dogs to be aggressive?
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As long as Bentley isn’t showing any signs of aggression, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Your friend’s beliefs are a common misconception about dogs and tug-of-war. In fact, studies have shown that this game doesn’t contribute to aggression or dominance issues in dogs. Tug-of-war has a lot of benefits for dogs, including providing mental and physical stimulation, encouraging a closer bond between you and your pup, easing anxiety, and building confidence. For times when you can’t fully engage with Bentley, you may want to consider these interactive dogs toys. It sounds like Bentley would love some of these!
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My dog LOVES tug-of-war and is in no way aggressive. I think this is a huge misconception. This morning, I was getting ready for work when I decided to sneak in a quick game of tug-of-war with Luna. She LOVES tug-of-war. I grabbed her rope toy, and she immediately dropped everything—tail wagging, eyes locked on the prize.
We started pulling back and forth, and I swear she was grinning the whole time! Every time I tugged, she’d tug back harder, determined to win. We ended up in a tugging dance around the living room—me trying to hold on, her pulling me in every direction. It was so simple, but the pure joy on her face made my morning.
Finally, I pretended to let go of the rope, and Luna took off running in victory, her little legs carrying her across the room. I couldn’t stop laughing. It’s the little moments like this that make the day so much brighter! As your pup enjoys it, there is no reason not to play. Your friend might need to learn a bit more about dogs. Maybe you should help her get more comfortable with dogs and even let her help you train your pup. It might help her understand that this is just a fun game and even a bonding moment with your pup.
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