Frustrated from buying tug of war dog toys just to have them demolished 10 minutes after opening them? (Trust us, we're speaking from experience too 🤦🏼♀️)
Don't give up just yet! Tug can promote impulse control, build confidence, and strengthen the bond between dogs and their owners. It's an activity that taps into natural drives, making it a motivational, reinforcing, and high-value training tool.
Not only will the right tug of war toy last, it also is an excellent upper body exercise, tug of war works the muscles of the chest, shoulders, forearms, and core. Played well, this builds and deepens bonds between you and your dog. It can also decrease the likelihood of your dog developing resource guarding of various items!
Keep reading the find the best tug of war dog toys for your fur-family!
How We Choose
We know that finding a durable tug of war dog toy can save you money, create a lasting bond between you and your dog and continue to building the confidence and strength that your dog needs to stay healthy.
Our family has read through thousands of reviews and ratings to come up with the 3 best tug of war toys for your family. Not to mention, we have 4 dogs in our family...so, we understand the struggle!
From smaller tug toys to larger flirt poles, there is something here for everyone!
Redline K9 3 Handle Bite Suit Material Gusset Dog Tug Toy
Why We Love It
The Redline K9 3 Handle Bite Suit was definitely made to last! This is extremely durable with tough handles. This one made it to the top of our list, coming in with a 5 star rating.
What You Should Know
IT IS NOT A CHEW TOY - Tug Toys are meant for interactive tugging between you and your dog only. We strongly recommend that you do not allow your dog to keep the toy after interaction has finished. This tug toy is perfect for young dogs and is extremely durable.
Silver Paw Star Wars Darth Vader 15 inch Rope Dog Toy
Why We Love It
Having 4 dogs ourselves, we are recommending this tug toy because it is for all dog breeds and sizes. It is extremely durable and sturdy with double ended rope. And, who doesn't love Star Wars?
What You Should Know
15 inch Darth Vader tug toy with double ended rope. It is a plush toy great for medium to large dogs of any and all breeds.
Squishy Face Studio Flirt Pole V2 & Super Tug V2 Dog Exercise Toy Bundle, 36-inch, Rainbow, Purple/Blue Tie Dye
Why We Love It
This is such a great dog toy! This product is made right here in the USA and it's new and improved based on customer feedback. We love to support companies and brands that really listen to the people using the product!
We could probably talk about this flirt pole all day, but don't worry...we won't. If you are someone with limited mobility this is the perfect toy for you and your dog to exercise both mentally and physically while creating a great bonding experience.
What You Should Know
Includes 1 regular size, 36-inch Flirt Pole V2 with Lure and 1 Super Tug toy. (My brother is a professional fisher, so I thought this was just so great! -Kim) This flirt pole is also great for all breed sizes.
Tug of War Dog Toys Frequently Asked Questions: FAQ
It can be hard to know which tug toy is durable enough to stand the test of time.
With every flashy brand and company waiving their product images and claiming to be the best, you trust them and buy the item just to find out it was crap 💩 and a waste of money!
Our family has created a comprehensive buyers guide of frequently asked questions to help you choose between the best tug of war dog toys to keep your fur-family and your wallet happy. This guide will help you understand what to look for so that you can choose the best tug toy for your family.
Is tug of war good for dogs?
Tug can promote impulse control, build confidence, and strengthen the bond between dogs and their owners. It's an activity that taps into natural drives, making it a motivational, reinforcing, and high-value training tool.
Do dogs like tug of war with toys?
Many dogs love to play tug of war; it's a healthy display of their predatory nature. Tug of war provides great mental and physical exercise for your dog. It is also a wonderful way to reinforce the human-canine bond.
Does tug of war damage dog teeth?
Puppy teeth can easily be damaged or even pulled out, so it is important to play at an appropriate level. You should never pull harder than the puppy does and you should never pull the toy away from them.
Do dogs get tired of tug of war?
Since tug-of-war expends more energy than a pup simply laying down and chewing on a toy, they will definitely get tired more quickly than with other more leisurely games. This makes it a perfect activity for dogs with high energy, young dogs and puppies, and dogs that are cooped up in a home or apartment all day long.
Why does my dog shake his head when playing tug of war?
Again, dogs naturally play low, so keep your tug toy low to the ground when playing. Side To Side Movements: When playing tug, your dog will naturally move side to side. You will also see he may get really into the game and start shaking his head side to side. This is naturally how a dog plays.
Does tug of war teach dogs aggression?
Tug of war won't make your dog aggressive, but it might intensify unwanted behaviors or patterns that are already present. Before you play tug of war, you need to set a few ground rules.
How do you make tug of war fun for dogs?
Give the verbal cue "take it" and present the tug toy. Move the tug toy back and forth slightly to foster interest or chase. When your dog has the toy in his mouth, engage him in a gentle game of tug. Reward his interest in the tug verbally.
How long should you play tug of war with dog?
When it comes to how long your games of tug should last that's up to you and your dog. As long as you and your dog are having fun and it's not too much for them you can make them last as long as you like. Generally my games with Natasha (Our German Shepherd) are pretty intense, so they only last for about 5 minutes.
Why does my dog growl at me when I play tug of war?
Why do dogs growl when they play tug of war? It is normal for dogs to growl when they play tug of war. It means they are excited and exhibiting instinctive behavior which hark back to the days when they'd hunt prey. Research shows that tug of war does not make dogs more aggressive, despite their play growling.
At what age can you play tug of war with a puppy?
Experts recommend waiting until your puppy is at least six months old before playing Tug of War with them. After that age, this is an excellent game to play with your puppy. It keeps them engaged, and it gives you a perfect time to reinforce commands.
So, what is the best tug of war toy for dogs? That is going to vary from home to home, we've tried to provide a variety of the best options for you to choose from based on reading thousands of reviews.
We hope that you've found this information helpful and it will help you and your dog(s) connect and stay connected. All you have to do now is just tap the button to check the price on the best tug of war dog toy for you and get ready for a fun (and durable) game of tug with your pup!
Thanks for stopping by!
Your friends,
The Ward Family
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