Raddog tug - sheepskin - with a loop

A long tug covered in sheepskin, finished with a webbing loop. A reward worth fighting for, and a tool for building motivation in obedience work.

Sheepskin instead of jute

A fur surface feels better in the mouth than rough jute, so young dogs and dogs that are still learning to hold on take this tug readily. The soft grip does not load the teeth while they are being replaced. The fur fills the mouth well and gives the dog a clear target to catch.

Over half a metre of fur

The fur section alone is 53 cm long. It is narrower at the loop, 6 cm, widens to 9 cm below that and tapers towards the tip, staying 3-4 cm thick along its length. That length does two things. It keeps your hand away from the teeth when the dog catches on the move. It also lets you animate the tug low over the ground and lead the dog with it, because a long shape is easy to see and easy to hit.

The webbing loop

The handle is a webbing loop 18 cm long, made of 2.5 cm wide webbing. You hold the tug in one hand and keep the other free - for the leash, for a treat or for a signal. The loop gives you a secure grip when the dog pulls hard and takes some of the strain off your wrist during tugging.

What it is for in training

The manufacturer lists this tug as a motivational aid and a reward in obedience exercises. You show it as the promise of a reward, and after a correctly performed exercise you hand it over for the dog to catch and pull. A short, energetic game at the end of a session leaves the dog wanting to work again.

A reward that builds drive

Tugging is work on drive and on grip confidence, not just play. The dog learns that holding on firmly pays off and that the fight ends in its own success. That is why the tug stays training equipment rather than a toy left with the dog all day.

Not sure whether fur is right for your dog?

Write to us and tell us how old your dog is and what stage of training you are at - we will help you decide whether to start with soft fur.