Why Do Dogs Like Tug-of-War? 3 Possible Reasons

Dogs play a lot of different ways, but one of the favorite games of many puppies and adult dogs alike is tug-of-war. This is a natural game that most dogs take to quickly, but do you know why?

Find out why dogs are so drawn to tug-of-war and how you can take this natural behavior and make it a fun bonding experience.

The 3 Reasons That Dogs Like Playing Tug-of-War

1. It’s Instinctual Behavior

Tug-of-war is a natural game for puppies because it mimics their natural instincts to capture and tear prey apart, as unpleasant as that may seem. All wild canines engage in this behavior, tearing meat away from the bone when they get a kill. Playing tug-of-war mimics these motions and engages your dog’s shoulders, neck, and mouth, even if they know that it’s just a toy.

angry dog pulling toy playing tug-of-war game — Image Credit: alexei_tm, Shutterstock

2. It’s Harmless Play

Puppies tend to play rough, and some continue into adulthood. Mother canines will play with their puppies to teach them how to read body language, control their bite strength, and engage with other dogs, including tug-of-war.

3. It’s Strengthens Bonds

Dogs can play on their own to entertain themselves, but tug-of-war is exclusively a multiplayer game that requires teamwork. If your dog were hunting as part of a pack in the wild, they would have to collaborate with other dogs to pull prey apart. Tug-of-war simulates this behavior, except they’re collaborating with you instead of their littermates.

dog and man playing tug of war — Image Credit: thka, Shutterstock

Is Tug-of-War a Good Game to Play?

If your dog enjoys playing tug-of-war, it’s a perfectly safe and beneficial game to play. You both get to have fun; your dog gets to work off some excess energy and fosters a strong bond.

In addition, playing tug-of-war teaches your dog to control themselves, and more specifically, their instinct to bite. This helps your dog manage their bite force, reducing the risk that they’ll accidentally hurt you during normal play.

That said, it’s important to set some ground rules. Initiate a game of tug-of-war when you want to play, not any time they want to. This keeps your dog from bugging you to play when it’s not appropriate. You should also teach your dog to stop playing with a command like “stop” or “over”, which lets them know when it’s appropriate to play and when it’s not.

If your dog gets too aggressive with tug-of-war, such as biting or growling too much, you may want to dial the play back. Continuing to play could inadvertently reward your dog for behaving this way, which could grow into bigger problems in the future.

Some people continue to push the idea of “dominance” over a dog, and tug-of-war may be used as a way to show your dog “who’s boss” by always winning. This theory has been debunked in all its forms, especially when it comes to play. Your dog should be allowed to win sometimes to increase their confidence and strengthen your bond.

Final Thoughts

Dogs play tug-of-war for multiple reasons, ranging from instinct to releasing energy to enjoying time with you. Make sure to teach them how to play the game nicely, and you’ll have many years of fun competition between the two of you.