Quote:
Originally posted by ratbastid
An alternate theory about playing tugging games that I read recently actually ENCOURAGES it. The theory goes that in the wild, dogs use tugging with each other to pull apart pieces of animals they'd killed. Apparently working together to pull something apart is a social bonding thing among a dog pack, and doesn't really have much to do with dominance. :shrug:
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I think the recommendation against playing tug with more assertive breeds has less to do with dominance than with the likelihood that teeth are likely to make contact with human flesh while they're playing, albeit unintentionally. These dogs usually need to be taught that it is a BIG NO NO to touch teeth to a person, as people are already pretty scared of them, and even if a dog just happens to bite someone carelessly who's not the owner in the process of playing tug with them, they're likely to get upset and you could risk having to put the dog down. Or being sued. Also, you'd hate to have them learn that tugging is ok and, for instance, initiate a game of tug with a kid's toy or something and accidentally bite them.