Play is for every dog (and every human too)

Hi, I’m Danny and I run
Tug-E-Nuff with my mum, Teresa.

My mum’s an agility fanatic, collie mad, dog sport fan. I’m a regular dog owner with quirky dogs who likes to play, go on walks (and doesn’t do much training).

Together with our team, we’ve been championing The Power of Play since 2009.

Because we know that whether you’re dog training obsessed or just obsessed with your own dog - playing together makes everything better.

Indy’s surprising tuggy legacy

You might be surprised to learn the dog who started Tug-E-Nuff didn’t even like tug - not at first anyway.

Indy was my mum’s dog. She wanted to do agility with her, but Indy had a few behavioural kinks that made life tricky. We knew playing tug would help… but Indy wasn’t interested. She only cared about food!

Never one to give up, my Mum got to work on making a toy Indy would care about - one stuffed with food!

And that was the beginning of Tug-E-Nuff - a family run business that now delivers toys worldwide to help solve behaviour problems, inspire play, and grow bonds.

What makes Tug-E-Nuff toys special?

Tug-E-Nuff toys are special. They’re not like other toys you’ll find in high street pet shops or the grocery store. And that’s because they’re…

Designed to be wildly exciting for dogs
Made to stand up to real dog play (even the super rough tuggers)
Use materials that are both durable and enticing
Give dogs a sensory thrill (texture + movement dogs can’t resist)

Made by humans that truly get dogs (and people)

They’re also backed by our 45 Day Tug It + Love It Guarantee - so you can buy risk-free. If your dog turns their nose up at their new toy, we’ll help you find one they’ll leap with excitement for - and swap it for you (hassle free).

Is playing tug safe? Is it just for big dogs?

Some people think tug is only for the super-dog-mad. Others worry it’ll make their dog aggressive. The truth is, the benefits of tug are something every dog deserves. It’s safe, simple - and no, it won’t turn your dog into a monster (quite the opposite)!

Big dogs, small dogs, shy dogs, bolshy dogs. Every dog deserves a Tug-E-Nuff.

6 crucial tug questions answered

Short answer: No. When played correctly, tug strengthens your bond - it doesn’t create aggression.

This myth belongs in the dark ages - but we understand why you might be concerned. A lot of the normal behaviours dog display during play can look aggressive.

Certified Applied Animal Behaviourist Dr Karen B. London, who specialises in working with aggressive dogs, says play is vital and can help prevent aggression developing. She says playing tug will not turn a behaviorally well dog into an aggressive dog.

Play gives dogs a healthy outlet to channel their energy and natural behaviours in a positive way. Tug is also a two player game and that means it boosts connection between you and your dog. A study on the effects of play found that after playing tug, dogs were actually more attentive and obedient.

So no - tug won’t make your dog aggressive, but it will make your relationship stronger.

Tug is hugely underestimated - and it provides monumental benefits, including:

Burning energy effectively
Teaching impulse control
Helping dogs manage excitement and arousal
Providing mental stimulation
Building confidence
Strengthening bonds and social connection
Reducing boredom
Offering a safe outlet for natural behaviours

When played correctly, the positives of playing tug with your dog are enormous.

Short answer: Most dogs love tug - they just need you to match their style.

We often hear from owners whose dogs seem uninterested in tug. Usually, the issue isn’t that the dog dislikes it - it’s that they prefer a different pace or energy to the game.

Not every dog loves high-energy tug, especially at first.

Some dogs need you to play more gently, to move more slowly, and to take the pressure off. So if your dog doesn’t immediately tug with enthusiasm - experiment with how you present the toy. And start play in an area with no distractions, like your hallway or your kitchen.

You might enjoy this episode of our podcast Positive Playtime where our founder and play expert talk about how different dogs can enjoy playing tug.

Short answer: Quite the opposite - it can actually reduce unwanted chasing.

High-prey-drive expert Tracey McLennan (MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour & Training) says that denying dogs the opportunity to chase can increase their desire to do it.

She frequently hears from owners who are worried that giving their dog an outlet for chasing behaviour will encourage it.

But Tracey says, using chaser toys to give your dog a safe and controlled way to exhibit natural dog behaviours like chasing, stalking, pouncing, and grabbing can actually reduce their motivation to chase animals.

You can learn more about prey drive and how to reduce it here.

Short answer: Not if you only use it for supervised interactive play.

Our toys are intentionally made to stand up to tough play but they’re made for tugging, not chewing! They’re built with strong and stretchy bungee handles, to absorb shock and add more movement to the game. And the bite areas are robust and easy to grip, so your dog can really get stuck into the game.

But if you leave your dog alone with their tug toy, it will likely get shredded or torn. That’s why we advise you to keep your special Tug-E-Nuff tuggies for intentional, interactive play - so they deliver you many, many special moments together.

Short answer: Because we don’t just sell you a superior-quality toy - we teach you how to use it to full effect!

Our toys are more expensive than rope tug toys or tugs you’ll find in high street pet shops - and that’s because of the high quality design and materials.

Tug-E-Nuff toys are designed by dog trainers and tested by dogs of different strengths, sizes, and breeds - so they’re insanely well made and exceptionally good fun. They’re also used and recommended by thousands of dog trainers worldwide as the toys they trust to get results.

Cheaper alternatives are often lower quality, which means they fray or fall apart - and are typically not as exciting for dogs to play with.

When you invest in a Tug-E-Nuff toy, you’re investing in expert craftsmanship, unparalleled customer support, and a toy we’ll actually show you how to use so you get the maximum play value from it.

Check out our growing library of games and training tutorials to see the Tug-E-Nuff difference.

Three puppies playing with a Tug-E-Nuff chaser toy in a grassy yard.

Can we introduce you to the Power of Play?

Play is powerful because it makes dogs and people happy. It’s fun, rewarding, and it makes stress melt away.

It’s also an incredible tool to help you teach your dog new skills and to tackle training or behaviour challenges.

Our toys are designed to entice even the most playshy dogs to reap the benefits of play. Because we believe just like Indy - every dog has the spirit of play in them, they just need the right toy.

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