And no…. That’s not the weirdest complaint about a stripper ever. It’s a thing I hear about frequently enough that rather than respond for the 650th time, I thought I’d write an article on the subject!
There are two types of games…. Competitive, and Supportive. Tug with you is “Competitive”, and Spring Pole is “Supportive”.
Most of the time…. In toy based play… dogs are so into trying to get the toy that they happily try to overcome ANY resistance in order to get it. If that’s you holding it, a dog holding it, It tied to a bungee, it stuck under the couch…. They don’t care, they just want to get it!!! They will play EITHER version of toy play. They just want to play.
Sometimes…. We get the dog that will play tug with other dogs, and with a spring pole. But, won’t play with you. This can indicate either not thinking they have permission to play a mock possession game with you. Or….. Several other issues. But….. That’s for another time.
But…. The point of THIS article is to address the OPPOSITE issue. A dog that loses interest in the toy when you AREN’T holding it.
Those dogs most often just don’t understand the idea of a SUPPORTIVE game. When you let go they think…. “oh….. It must be over”. As soon as you put your hand on it….. BOOM….. Game on.
Those guys you have to ease them into that idea slowly.
Most dogs…. You can just get them on a grip and Switch hands real quick. Like…. Virtually no time in between grips. Then… Just slowly and gradually increase the “hang time” in between the grips. Can repeat the same process with one hand. Like…. Let go and regrip, and slowly increase the hang time. In the gap between grips….. Encourage, cheer, pet them…. Whatever can show them the supportive picture. Soon…. They’ll get the idea and enjoy the supportive version.
Sometimes…. For the dogs that will literally let go the SECOND you aren’t on the toy…. I’ll put a string on the toy. And as I’m putting some life into the toy, I’ll slide down an inch or two make it dance a little, and come right back to the toy. I’ll slide farther and farther away for gradually long periods. I’m keeping the toy alive. I’m working the line. The dog is still playing “with me”, but I’m getting to be a smaller and smaller part of the picture. Then…. I’ll have moments where my line is dead, and they are in the fight themselves. I’ll really lay on the praise in those moments. And slowly drag that out till they’ve really learned to enjoy the supportive style of play!
Good luck. Go play with your dog!