This is a synthetic tug made of fire hose material. The Pocket Tug is 12" long by 3 1/2" circumference. These tugs are very strong and durable. This Pocket Tug is hard and stiff not soft and super flexible.

Training tugs are a very important part of working a dog in training. Many people think they are only used for puppy work. These people are wrong. The shorter tubes are a great training aid for drive building and are used throughout the life of the dog.

Tennis balls are very, very hard on dogs teeth. Bite tugs are a much better alternative. Bite tugs are also much better than solid hard rubber balls on strings. When a young dog is accidentally hit in the head with a hard rubber ball he will lose drive. When the same dog gets hit by a tug he ignores the situation and continues to chase in drive.

The tugs are not designed as chew toys for a dog. They are training aids. Of course if you make the mistake of letting your dog carry it off and chew on it for 30 minutes you will be ordering a new tug.

The tugs vary in length and diameter, which one you use will vary according to the goal of your training. We also offer softer bite tugs in smaller sizes. Check out our Thin Puppy Tug and our 1-handled and 2-handled Mini Tugs.

Drive building in adult dogs is always done with the smallest tug. These tug have one handle or two handles. It can be moved very, very quickly. The goal of drive building with a small tug is to move it around your legs and body at a speed that the dog can not get at it. Moving them around in short quick movements forces the dog to move quickly if he has the drive to catch it - when the dog misses the tug it builds frustration and frustration builds drive. Using the longer tugs does not work because the dogs are too quick. It's too easy for them to grab a long tube or the second handle on these longer tugs. So it's much easier to play "keep away" with this smaller tug.

The longer tugs are actually used for puppies. I offer two different sizes. They are both close to the same length but Medium Tug is much smaller in diameter. Its easier for the very young puppies (8 weeks) to get their mouth around. When a pup gets to be about 6 months old (its mouth is larger) they can be moved on to the Larger Tug.

If you want to see how the puppy bite tug is used, I suggest you view my videos titled Bite Training Puppies, The First Steps of Bite Training, and Building Drive and Focus.

 

 

No toy is 100% indestructible. It is unrealistic to expect that from any toy. The toys that we sell at Leerburg® are the best quality and most durable that we have found. Always supervise your dog when playing with toys. Periodically inspect all toys for damage. Do not allow your dog to continue to play with a damaged or broken toy.

 

Testimonial on Leerburg Puppy Tugs

Review 1 on Leerburg Puppy Tugs July 7, 2001 Dear Mr. Frawley I received the two pocket toys and the Comp. Heeling video, both are great. The packet toys are much easier to handle that the “GAPPAY” toys I was using before. The “pocket” slip much easier into your pockets and are very well-made. I was a little concerned that my dog (2 ½ years old) would go for them. Boy was I wrong. So thanks again for offering quality equipment at good prices. Sincerely, Roger Herod