A while ago, I talked about why I don’t usually use tugging as a training reward with my dogs.
I was just reminded of another reason today. If, because of your own general lack of athleticism and attentiveness, you move in the wrong direction after your rather large dog has targeted the tug and jumped to grab it, your dog might grab your bicep instead. He might realize the problem right away, and let go very quickly, but still…
…OUCH.
I would post a picture of the rather impressive bruises, but I wouldn’t want someone to use it against Rottweilers or dogs in general.
This warning probably does not apply to you. Only to me, because I am a klutz like that.
(NaBloPoMo | October ’10: 10 of 31)
It makes a lot of sense, though.
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Freya plays nice but Axel plays dirty 🙂
I do use a jute tug for obedience, mostly because I’m terrible with food. Many times I’m surprised I still have any fingers left 🙂 Never had a dog get my arm though… knock on wood!
The tough part really is masking the pain when the dog gets a finger, because you don’t want to make it a negative experience. Not easy to do sometimes 🙂
Aren’t you amazed that we’ve had Rottweilers for this long and don’t have more scars?
I took a Border Collie straight to the calf once at flyball when he missed his tug. It hurt. He at least realized his error right away. And, um, he’s a bit smaller than a Rottie 😉
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OUCH! That’s one of those locations that always hurts more than it looks like it should!