Dog Rope Toys

While your dog’s food comes from you, and they don’t need to hone their hunting skills for survival, they still have that instinct. The back-and-forth motion of tugging mimics action of pulling prey and will prompt them to give it a hard shake, as if they were hunting in the wild. Many dogs thoroughly enjoy the challenge of gripping and pulling, which helps hone their strength and determination.

Some people feel that the game can increase aggression or dominant behaviour, and warn against playing tug-of-war games with their dogs. However, the truth is just the opposite. Tug-of-war taps into dogs' innate hunting instincts, which are deeply ingrained in their behaviour. Some dogs may become so engrossed in the game that they growl or snarl, leading to the misconception that the game reinforces aggressive behaviour. In reality, it simply triggers their natural instincts.

It is time to replace a dog toy when it's heavily chewed and can’t be effectively cleaned, torn or destroyed, with stuffing is falling out, or if it has pieces coming off that could be a choking hazard or be dangerous if swallowed. To maximise the lifespan of your dog’s toys, rotate them weekly, by making only a few available at a time. If your dog has a favourite toy, it’s best to leave it out for them to enjoy all the time.