[nagdu] Arbitrary restrictions on playing with future guide dogs

[Tracy Carcione]

I've never really bought the idea that winning at tug will create a monster.
I've played tug with all my dogs who were interested.  Sometimes they win,
and sometimes I do.  And I haven't noticed any affect on their behavior at
all.  I do want a dog who is willing to stand up to me when I'm wrong, and
has plenty of self-confidence to deal with the stupidity of the big city.
If winning at tug helps strengthen that, great.  But I'm not sure it really
does anything.
Tracy


-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Debby Phillips
via nagdu
Sent: Thursday, August 13, 2015 8:39 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users;
nagdu at nfbnet.org
Cc: Debby Phillips
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Arbitrary restrictions on playing with future guide
dogs

Hey Raven, when I first got dogs, we gave them tug toys to play with us.
The thing that I never did was allow my dog to win at tug of war.  I never
wanted her to think that she could dominate me.  I have played with balls
with my dogs, and Kongs, having them bring the toys to me.  It has not
affected my work life with my dogs.  I'm thinking about getting Nova a
stuffed animal which I will supervise her with to see how she does with it.
She has carried the cat's little mice toys in her mouth and not chewed them
or anything.  (They are too small for me to feel comfortable to let her have
them, but she never did chew them).  But each dog is different.  Neena could
never have a stuffed toy.  She destroyed anything that was soft.  She also
chewed the top off of a Kong.  Actually 2 Kongs.  Lol.  (I can laugh now).
Didn't at the time.  So I really really think it depends on the individual 
dog.    Debby and Nova

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