I get this question quite often and it really depends on what trainer your listening to. Many dog trainers advise you don’t play tug-of-war with your dog.

I personally DO play tug-of-war with my dogs. They know it’s a game and they love playing it. Sometimes I let them win and sometimes I win. Tug-of-war can even be a great training break when you give your dog his release command.

Some trainers believe that if you ever let your dogs win at this game that it will lead to aggressive behavior.

I would say that dogs that have displayed aggressive behavior you should use caution in the games that you play with them. Tug-of-war might not be a game they like to lose at. It’s just like some people who have no sense of humor when you play a practical joke on them. They get all mad and angry. Who needs friends like that?

For a good-natured dog who knows it’s just a game I’d say play away and have a fun game of tug-of-war.