I laughed. I thought he was winding me up. Turns out tug of war and tuggy are completely different things — and the difference changes everything about the biting.
This week's insight
Tuggy isn't tug of war. And that difference is everything.
Tug of war is predator versus predator — two animals competing over the same thing. That's the version that creates problems. Tuggy is completely different. Luna's the predator, the toy is the prey, and you're the one controlling where the prey goes. It's cooperative, not competitive — and it gives her a natural outlet for the drive that's been going into your hands.
🦮
Tuggy game — the right way
You control where the prey goes. You start it and stop it. Luna's the predator, the toy's the prey, you're making it move. Not competitive — cooperative.
🧶
Make your own tuggy toy
An old fleece jumper, five minutes. Darran shows you exactly how. Luna will love it more than anything you've bought her.
🦴
Chew training
What Luna actually needs to chew and when — built into the routine, not just handed over when you're desperate.
D
From Darran · Postgraduate Canine Behaviourist
Why tug is one of the most powerful tools you've got
Module 2 covers chew training, how to make a tuggy toy, how to build Luna's motivation for it, and how to play the tuggy game correctly. There's a right way and a wrong way — and the right way changes behaviour faster than almost anything else at this age.
"I made her tuggy toy from an old fleece jumper. She loves it more than anything I've bought her."
VIP Coaching Club
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Next up: jumping, redirecting and Luna discovering what she's not supposed to have. It's as chaotic as it sounds. 🐾
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