Tug Training Tips

1. Engage your dog in a fun tug session.

2. Command him to let go, then drop the Chewber on the ground and say your 'Find it' command enthusiastically.

3. He'll eventually pick it up and offer it to you for another fun tug game.

4. IMMEDIATELY reward him with some enthusiastic tug play! Play tug for a minute - you are rewarding him for fetching with TUG! Command him to release, toss the chewber 2 or 3 feet or roll it like a penny, say your TUG command word and wait for him to bring it back for more tug. Be patient. Reward him with tug when he does.

Repeat the process, each time tossing the chewber farther and farther. This is a great way to exercise your dog and give your arms a rest in between tug sessions.

All dogs are different. If these tips don't work for you, don't give up. Look for other positive and humane methods until you find what works for you and your dog.

Even if you have raised many dogs before, consulting with a professional trainer is a great idea. Professional trainers have experience with many different types of dogs and will have an assortment of different positive and humane techniques that you can try until you find what works for you and your dog. It is never too early to start training and socializing your dog. More dogs are euthanized for behaviour problems do to lack of socialization than die from Puppyhood diseases. 'Puppy Vaccination and Socialization Should Go Together'. By Veterinarian RK Anderson.

Many of todays top trainers use toys to motivate and reward dogs as an alternative to food. Your dog loves to play with you - what could be healthier and more fun than teaching and rewarding your dog with toys?

Roll the chewber on it's edge like a penny.
This makes it possible for your dog to 'catch' it while it is still moving. Many dogs love chasing things along the ground - especially Terriers and other breeds that were developed for hunting rodents and small prey. This is a also a great way
to introduce the Chewber to puppies.

Conditioning against 'Keep away'

If your dog is teasing you with his toy and then won't let you have it when you reach for it - he is enticing you to play "keep away". This is a game that many dogs like to play with each other. But what if you don't want to play 'keep away'?
Feeding your dog from his Chewber every day is a good way to train against 'keep away'. At mealtimes make him place his chewber in your hand if he wants to get his supper. No toy - no food! You are conditioning him to give you his toy on command!

If you dog barks excessively when guests arrive...
Ask him enthusiastically to go find his Chewber!!! This diverts his energy and attention away from barking and changes him from "protective mode" to "lets have fun mode". Play a short game of tug with him when he brings it to you.
Feeding your dog from his Chewber will help reinforce this technique.

The Chewber appeals to many of the instincts that dogs have. Instead of being hard and rigid, the Chewber is soft, springy and easy on the mouth. When a dog bites it, the Chewber will spring back into shape - it is 'lively'.The Chewber is durable, versatile and easy to clean and can be used for a variety of interactive games indoors or out.
The Chewber is an excellent and easy way to burn off excess doggie energy without expending too much energy yourself! Chewable, tuggable, rollable, catchable.....the Chewber is simply the most versatile interactive teaching toy on the market.

Good manners are VERY important...
A controlled ‘take it’ is an important first step in playing tug.
Tug games should be intitiated only by you. If your dog grabs the Chewber uninvited, or jumps up to grab it, do not play tug.
No manners - no game!
Remember, it takes 2 to play.

Offer the Chewber for a tug game - oriented like a bowl.
Play a short game of tug. Say your command word
('drop it', 'out' or 'give') and then drop a small treat into
the Chewber. Your dog will let go to eat the treat!
Repeat as necessary until it 'clicks' and your dog associates
the command word with letting go and getting a treat!

Play 'hide and seek' with your Chewber.
Many dogs LOVE this game. It gives them a chance to exercise their brains and "flex their nose muscles"! It is also fun to play inside when outside play isn't possible. Dogs have 1000 times more brain area devoted to their sense of smell than we do. Humans see in technicolor. Dogs smell in technicolor! Feed your dog from his Chewber and this game can become part of your daily routine!

This creates positive associations with the sight, smell and feel of the disc. It is a great way to introduce the Chewber to your dog for the first time and it is sooo handy when you are travelling.

Chewbers wash up easily in the sink and are dishwasher safe on air-dry setting.

*if your dog is possessive of food or toys, i.e. growls at you
when you approach them, consult a professional trainer
immediately! To find a trainer near you: www.apdt.com or
www.ipdta.org or www.nadoi.org in Canada: www.cappdt.ca
more on training puppies