🧸 How to Play Tug Safely with Your Puppy: Vet-Approved Tips for 2025 🐾

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

Puppies love to chew and bite—it’s how they explore the world. Tug is a fantastic way to channel that energy safely while building engagement and teaching valuable skills. But not all tug play is created equal. In this 2025 guide, learn how to play tug safely with your puppy using vet-approved techniques that encourage bonding, control, and fun. 🎯🐶

🎮 Why Tug Play Is Valuable

When done safely, tug is more than a game. It helps your puppy:

• 🦷 Satisfy chewing urges
• 🧠 Build confidence and focus
• 🧍 Learn impulse control and drop cues
• ❤️ Strengthen the bond with their human

And contrary to popular myths, tug does not cause aggression. It’s a natural, enriching game that teaches healthy interaction. ✅

🧸 What You’ll Need

• 2 tug toys of equal value (soft rope or fleece toys work great!)
• 🐶 A puppy-friendly space
• 🍖 High-value treats (just in case)

🔁 How to Play the “Two-Toy Tug” Game

This method keeps the game positive, interactive, and under control:

1. 🎾 Start tugging with one toy. Keep it fun—gentle pulling, side-to-side movements.
2. 🧸 After a few seconds, drop the first toy and let your puppy “win” and hold it.
3. 🔁 Pick up the second toy and wave it enticingly to restart play.
4. 🏆 When your puppy drops the first toy and grabs the second, repeat!

This back-and-forth flow teaches your pup that letting go leads to more play—not a punishment. 🧠🎉

🍖 If They Won’t Drop It?

Gently toss a few treats on the floor to encourage release, then pick up the first toy while your pup is eating. This sets up the next round! 🦴✨

🎓 What Tug Teaches

✅ Drop cue: Puppies learn to let go voluntarily in exchange for something better—more fun!

✅ Bite inhibition: If their teeth land on skin or clothing, pause the game calmly. Resume only when they redirect to the toy.

✅ Self-regulation: Switching toys and taking breaks helps calm high arousal. 🧘‍♂️

🛑 Safety Rules for Tug

• 🧍 Keep movements horizontal and low—avoid yanking upward or spinning
• 🧠 Let your puppy “win” often—it builds confidence!
• 🚫 Stop play if your puppy gets overly nippy or too aroused
• 💬 Use cues like “ready,” “take it,” and “drop” consistently

🧠 Enrichment + Training

Tug doubles as both play and a training tool. Use it to:

• 👟 Reinforce recall—ask for a “touch” or “sit,” then reward with a game
• 🏠 Redirect chewing from furniture to appropriate toys
• 🐕 Teach engagement skills for leash walking or focus

👶 Start Early and Keep It Fun

The earlier you introduce safe tug habits, the better. Puppies that learn to trade, drop, and switch toys become confident dogs who love to interact with their humans. 💞

📸 Example Routine

1. Start with toy A and tug for 5 seconds
2. Drop toy A, let puppy keep it
3. Pick up toy B, start tugging with it
4. When puppy drops toy A, switch to toy B
5. Repeat 5–10 times

✅ Always end the session on a success and stop while your puppy is still excited. This keeps the game positive and builds anticipation for next time. 🎮🐾

📝 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston

Tug isn’t just fun—it’s a gateway to teaching essential manners, building trust, and burning off puppy energy in a safe way. With two toys, a little patience, and a sense of play, you can transform tug into a powerful learning experience. 🧸🎯

Need help choosing toys or teaching drop cues? Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app 📱 to chat with training-savvy vets and behavior experts. Let the games begin! 🐶🎉