Show Notes
In this essential training breakdown, Ed Frawley explains the five progressive Rules of Play that transform tug from chaotic wrestling into a powerful obedience and engagement tool. These rules must be taught in order: first, building genuine desire for the toy by sparking prey and play drive; second, teaching the retrieve so the dog learns that bringing the toy back continues the game rather than ending it; third, adding the "out" command at the right developmental stage to avoid suppressing drive; fourth, introducing impulse control so the dog waits for permission before grabbing; and fifth, finding the perfect balance based on the dog's individual temperament—dominant dogs need stricter structure while sensitive dogs require more freedom to build confidence. Ed emphasizes that intensity of play must be adjusted to each dog's personality: possessive dogs get shorter wins to prevent over-possession, while less intense dogs benefit from longer, more active sessions to build drive. When all five rules work in harmony, tug becomes far more than just play—it creates a dog who is motivated, responsive, and sees the handler as the ultimate source of reward and fun. | Links mentioned: The Power of Playing with Your Dog: https://leerburg.com/221.htm | The Power of Training Dog with Markers: https://leerburg.com/marker-dvd.php
More from Leerburg Dog Training Podcast
David Littlefield discusses what happens when dog handlers and trainers fall into territorial camps. Everybody has their own training philosophy and preferences, and it is up to us to learn what we can, take what works for us and our dog, and leave what doesn't.
Ian O’Connell sits down with longtime Leerburg friend and mentor Kevin Sheldahl to talk about what it takes to be a good police K9 handler instructor.
Join David Littlefield as he breaks down one of the most common pitfalls in dog training: patterning. When we repeat the same routine in the same place, in the same order, our dogs often learn the pattern instead of the behavior. David explains how dogs get "stuck" performing only in familiar settings or sequences, why that falls apart when real-world distractions show up, and how to vary locations, timing, and setups so your dog truly understands what you're asking. Whether you're working obedience, sport, or everyday manners, this is a must-watch for building reliable behavior anywhere.
Operational K9 Medical Team of Wisconsin was founded by veterinary emergency and critical care specialists who saw a gap: K9 handlers are trained to deploy their dogs, but rarely trained to save them when something goes wrong in the field. OPK9 closes that gap by traveling throughout Wisconsin to teach point-of-injury care directly to K9 handlers and EMS personnel. | Links mentioned: Leerburg X OPK9 - https://leerburg.com/opk9-work.php
Join Ian O'Connell as he sits down with longtime Leerburg friend and mentor Kevin Sheldahl to talk about markers. Where they came from, why they work, and how Kevin uses them in K9 detection training. Kevin traces marker training back to its roots in marine mammal training with dolphins and sea lions, explains the psychology behind why a marker like a clicker carries meaning, and breaks down the three types of rewards trainers actually have to work with. It's a conversation packed with practical insight for anyone building a marker system with their own working k9.| Links mentioned: Leerburg Clicker - https://leerburg.com/765.htm, The Foundations of Scent Detection with Kevin Sheldahl - https://university.leerburg.com/Catalog/viewCourse/cid/243