Tug-of-war is a very controversial game for dogs. Some people say it’s good for them, while others claim it can lead to aggression. I think playing tug with your dog is a great activity if you do it properly. But now you might be wondering if it’s good exercise.
Tug-of-war is an excellent exercise for dogs because it involves physical activity and mental stimulation. Tugging engages multiple muscles, especially in the upper body. So it can provide your dog with an intense workout. Since tug-of-war is a vigorous exercise, it’s also good to burn off energy quickly.
This game has many other benefits for both dogs and their owners. It’s fun and very accessible too. Therefore, it’s a good way to keep your dog fit, healthy, and busy. However, there are several things you should know before playing tug-of-war together to exercise?
Tug-Of-War As Exercise For Dogs
Tug-of-war is a game in which you and your dog pull at opposite ends of a rope or a toy. It’s a fun activity to play together, but it might also be an excellent opportunity to exercise. So why not combine the pleasant with the useful?
As you probably already know, dogs need a lot of exercise to stay healthy and happy. Most dogs require at least 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per day. It should include walking, vigorous physical activity, and mental stimulation. Let’s see how tug-of-war can play into that.
Does Tug-Of-War Count As Exercise For Dogs?
Tug-of-war is, first and foremost, a game. However, it also counts as exercise because it’s an activity that requires physical and mental effort. Therefore, tug-of-war is a good way to sustain or improve your dog’s health and fitness.
Physical Activity
Tug-of-war involves physical effort. Pulling on a tug rope or toy requires your dog’s muscles to work. This game is highly demanding on the upper body. It will engage the neck, jaw, chest, shoulders, forearms, and core muscles.
As you pull on the rope or toy, your dog will use his energy and strength to pull back. The effort is generally very intense, which makes tug-of-war a vigorous physical activity. So this game is an excellent exercise for your dog to burn off pent-up energy and build muscles.
Mental Stimulation
Tug-of-war isn’t just good for your dog’s body but also his mind. It requires focusing on the tug toy and engaging with you. Thus, this game is a great exercise to stimulate him mentally. You can even include some training lessons during tug-of-war sessions to make your dog’s brain work harder.
Will Tug-Of-War Tire Out Your Dog?
Playing tug-of-war is physically and mentally tiring for dogs. Since this game requires a vigorous effort from both the body and mind, it will tire them out relatively quickly. Tugging on a rope or toy is a very intense form of exercise for your dog.
How Long Should You Play Tug-Of-War With Your Dog To Exercise?
You can play tug-of-war as long as you and your dog want. But each tug session should only last around 15 seconds. You can play multiple times and take a small break after every battle until your dog is tired out or someone wants to stop. In general, you should play tug-of-war for between 5 and 15 minutes.
However, it will depend a lot on the goal, intensity, dog’s fitness level, and many other details. If you want to exercise an active dog, you might be able to play tug-of-war for up to 30 minutes. On the other hand, you can also take 2 to 3 minutes for a quick game session here and there.
Just make sure to respect your dog and start slow. Playing tug-of-war for too long isn’t safe and can take the fun out of the game. So keep your battles relatively short, especially in the beginning. Then, you can gradually improve from there.
What Makes Tug-Of-War A Good Exercise For Dogs?
Tug-of-war is good exercise for dogs because it requires an intense physical and mental effort. Therefore, it’s an excellent activity to sustain or improve their health and fitness while having fun. This game can be a very quick and effective workout to keep your dog busy and happy.
Another advantage of tug-of-war is that you can do it practically anywhere. Exercising your dog in the winter or when it’s rainy outside can be complicated. So tugging is an excellent way to have fun and stay active indoors.
Benefits Of Exercising Your Dog With Tug-Of-War!
Besides exercise, playing tug-of-war has many other benefits for you and your dog. That’s another reason why this activity is so awesome. Now here’s what this game could provide you and your dog asides from a good workout.
Tug-of-war is a good exercise to improve your dog’s confidence, self-control, and coordination. Besides that, playing this game together will strengthen your bond, and the rope or tug toy can also serve as an effective motivational or training tool. So tug-of-war is an excellent activity to enjoy with your dog.
Other Things To Know About Tug-Of-War!
Even if tug-of-war can be a good exercise for dogs, it’s not always the case. This game isn’t for everyone, and you need to play it properly to avoid problems. Some dogs might just not enjoy or become too aggressive when tugging on a rope or toy.
Besides that, there are also 3 rules you should know before playing tug-of-war. The first one is to always be the one that initiates the game. Then, your dog must master a release command such as “Drop It”. Finally, you have to end the play session immediately if your dog’s mouth touches you or your clothes.
It’s also important to choose an appropriate toy for this game. It should be long enough to keep a safe distance between your hands and your dog’s mouth, flexible, and durable. Here are some good tug toys you might consider.
Learn More About The Best Tug-Of-War Toys For Dogs!
Once you have the right toy for tug-of-war, it’s generally recommended to use it only for this game and put it away when you’re not playing. Another thing you should know is that it can be a good idea to let your dog win, but not always. Here’s why!
Last Thoughts About Exercising Your Dog With Tug-Of-War!
Finally, tug-of-war is an excellent game to play and exercise with your dog. Tugging vigorously on a rope or toy is a good strength workout, especially for the upper body. This fun game will also allow your dog to burn off energy and get stimulated mentally.
So tug-of-war is a great source of physical activity. It will help you provide your dog with the exercise he needs to be fit, healthy, and happy. Now you just have to find an appropriate toy and play by the rules.
Have Fun & Tug On!