Are you looking for the best dog tug toy to play tug-of-war? Look no further! This buying guide will help you choose the perfect toy for your dog.
There are a few things to consider when choosing a dog tug toy. The most important thing is to make sure that the toy is safe for your dog to chew and play with. The toy should also be sturdy enough to withstand your dog’s powerful tugging. Here are some of the best dog tug toys on the market:
First, the takeaway with dog tug toys is that you should know your dog and what he likes. If you get the wrong dog tug toy, it can be a real struggle to get your dog to play with their dog tug toy. We’ve reviewed dozens of the best tug toys for dogs and picked 6 for you. We also tested these toys with our dog!
In a rush? Here are the top picks!
- Pros
- Stretchy, durable toy that springs back into shape
- Allows for twisty tugging action
- Dual-material toy that encourages play
- Interactive dog tug toy
- Flexible and super-strong grips
- Crafted with Kong's safe, non-toxic proprietary rubber formulation
- Suitable for all sizes and breeds
- Encourages interactive play
- Provides mental stimulation
- Great energy expender
- Cons
- Needs more color options
One of our top picks for dog tug toys is the Kong Tug Toy. This dog tug toy is made of rubber and is perfect for interactive tug-of-war games. It is also one of Kong’s toughest dog toys and ideal for larger and more aggressive dogs.
The Kong rubber dog toy is perfect for a game of tug-of-war. It’s stretchy and durable, making it perfect for medium dogs who love to play. The Kong Tug features natural Kong rubber and stretches and recoils for long-lasting fun. This dog tug toy is ideal for interactive games of tug featuring comfortable grips that make grabbing easy for you and your furbaby.
We like this tug toy because it is durable and safe for your dog to chew on. The original “Control-Flex” technology prevents the toy from snapping back into one of the players’ faces, promoting a safe, controlled version of a game that can sometimes get out of hand. This product has over 5,900 positive reviews. The medium size is for dogs that weigh 15-35lbs.
Features
- Over 5,900 positive reviews
- Fetch & dog tug toy
- Available in three sizes: S, M & L
- Crafted with comfortable grips
- Material: natural, durable rubber
- Color: Kong red
- Rings feature durable nylon construction.
- Highly durable to power chewers
Customer Review
“I was a little nervous buying because of some of the review, but it’s been great for my Border Aussie, who is 45lbs but chews like he’s 90lbs.
He loves to tug a war, and this toy has become my best training tool! I use it as his reward, and he enjoys it FAR more than treats!
It works great IF used correctly: if you have an extreme chewer, you can’t just leave toys with them unsupervised; this isn’t meant to be a chew toy. It should provide excellent longevity as long as you take it away after playtime is done. That’s coming from someone whose dog chews through any “indestructible” toy in less than an hour.”
- Pros
- Lightweight & easy to play with
- Machine washable
- Non-toxic
- Made in the US
- Floats
- Encourages interactive play
- It also flings far into the air for pups to catch & chew.
- Cons
- Often sold out
West Paw Zogoflex is another popular dog tug toy. It is a lightweight and bouncy material, perfect for fetch and playtime. The S-shaped design makes it easy for your dog to grip, and the soft, flinging, squishy texture is irresistible.
Best of all, it’s guaranteed tough – so you can be sure your dog will love playing with it. Unfortunately, this latex-free pet product stretches to twice its length and offers fun for gentle chewers. This product has over 4,900 positive reviews.
Features
- Latex-free pet product
- Features a unique S-shape design
- 3 trendy & fun colorways
- 2 sizes (medium & large)
- Crafted for gentle chewers
- Suitable for all life stages
- Airborne play tug toy
- Recyclable
- BPA-free & latex free
- FDA compliant
Customer Review
“Our dog’s veterinary dentist them recommended these as about the only truly safe toys for dogs. Our dog, a large black Labrador loves them and they are quite durable.”
- Pros
- Suitable for small, medium & large dogs
- Bright blue, orange colors are easy to spot in tall grass
- The band makes it easy to throw further.
- Highly durable rubber
- Compatible with the Chuckit! Ball Launchers
- The handle is suitable for a dog tug toy
- Very sturdy & chew resistant
- Encourages play and interaction
- Dense, durable rubber that the dogs love gnawing on
- Cons
- More color options are needed.
The Chuck It features over 6,000 positive reviews and is perfect for playing tug-of-war with your dog. It’s made of durable rubber and has a textured surface that makes it easy for your dog to grip.
The Chuckit is also lightweight and easy to throw, perfect for playtime. We like this dog tug toy because it’s tough enough for vigorous games of tug-of-war.
This is a colorful dog toy that takes tug-of-war to the next level. It’s built for tough play and is compatible with the medium Chuckit dog ball launcher. The high bouncing ball is made from durable rubber and is perfect for all-sized dogs.
Features
- Over 6,000 positive reviews
- Compatible with medium Chuckit dog ball launchers
- Affordable
- Crafted in 5 sizes
- Durable rubber toy specifically designed for games of tug-of-war and fetch
- Features a sturdy 2-ply nylon band attached to a durable rubber ball
Customer Review
“My big boy loves this pull toy. The strap is better than most ball/strap pull toys, and if your dog goes to chew at the strap training them to not chew the strap will work. My boy is 90 lbs. all muscle, we play with this toy daily and the strap has been gentle on my hands (I mostly win lol). Chuck, it toys last longer than most in our house, some lasting over six months with this power chewer.”
- Pros
- Perfect for the most vigorous chewers
- Encourages play
- Features a dual-durometer design
- 2x dense interior core that adds extra durability
- 7x looped seam and reinforced stitching throughout
- Cons
- Needs extra small size for toy breeds
The Wild One Triangle Tug Dog Toy features a durable, 100% natural rubber construction that’s perfect for interactive playtime with your pup. This toy is excellent for medium and large breeds and is especially fun to chew on. It’s a wonderful toy for multi-pet households and features a strong rope.
This toy engages your pup in fun interactive play. It’s a super-strong tug-of-war dog toy with a dual texture to help keep your dog or puppy engaged. We like this dog tug toy because it’s non-toxic and free of harmful chemicals. The Wild One Triangle Tug Dog Toy is also dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
Features
- 100% natural rubber & natural rope dog tug toy
- Super strong for tug-of-war dog
- 2 textures- 2 times the fun
- Four colorway options
- Triangle/Circle canine tug toy
- BPA & phthalate-free
- Affordable for multi-pet homes
- Suitable for medium & large dogs
Customer Review
“If you have a dog that easily destroys toys and loves a good pull toy, then this is it. Both of my dogs like to play tug of war and are super strong, which usually results in the toys being pulled apart or chewed apart when they are tugging. This Wild one toy is made of super-strong rubber and 100% natural cotton and will last a while, if not forever, so far, so good with my two destroyers. Definitely give it a try for your pets. I would say to make sure your pet fits the size description of medium to large since the triangle is quite thick and made for larger jaws.”
- Pros
- Relieves anxiety
- Helps with teething
- Allows for mental stimulation & play
- Strong & comfortable handles
- Double-needle sewing for optimal durability
- Great interactive, reward, training & exercise toy
- Suitable for indoor or outdoor play
- Cons
- Needs mini size for toy breeds
This dog tug toy is perfect for playing tug-of-war with your dog. It has two strong handles that make it easy to grip, and the durable jute fabric can withstand even the strongest bites.
If you’re looking for a fun and interactive way to train your dog, the Story store tug toy is a great option. It’s also perfect for puppies who are just starting to learn how to play. This high-quality and durable dog bite tug toy with double stitching and a tough biting sleeve surface made of jute withstand the daily tugging. The toy is perfectly sized to make it easy to hold for interactive play or fetch, while it won’t cause any damage when thrown around by your dog.
Features
- Affordable
- Two rope handles
- Jute material that’s wear & bite resistant
- Good interactive dog tug toy.
- Easy-grip
- Features different styles
- Over 1,000 positive reviews
Customer Review
“Really good, sturdy tug. I’m using it with a 1 1/2-year-old GSD, and it holds up wonderfully. I’ve used several different brands over the years, and this jute tug is as good as any of them. Used as a tug reward, it will hold up for a long time to come. Just remember, this is a reward for you to control, not a chew toy for the dog to keep in its possession for extended periods, and you’ll be satisfied.”
- Pros
- Suitable for medium to extra-large breeds
- Encourages play & mental stimulation
- Durable & functional
- Squeaking dog tug toy
- Works well for aggressive chewers
- Cons
- Not super durable like some of the other toys
The Nerf dog tug toy features over 3,000 positive reviews on Amazon, and dog owners love it for its durability. It’s made from Nerf Tough material that can withstand hours of vigorous playtime, and the lightweight construction makes it easy for your dog to carry around.
Plus, it’s non-toxic and BPA-free, so you can feel good about giving it to your pup. Choose from various colors and styles, including the popular Tug-n-Toss toy. This product features over 3,000 positive reviews.
Features
- Affordable for multi-pet homes
- Over 3,000 positive reviews
- Vortex Chain Tug Dog Toy perfect for all-day play
- Two toys in one
- Lightweight, durable
- Weather & water-resistant
- Variety of shapes & sizes
- 100% non-toxic, BPA-free
Customer Review
\’My pug loves Nerf Dog toys, her favorite ball is from this line, so I bought her this gift set for her barkday celebration. She loves to chew and play fetch and tug. These Nerf toys seem to outlast similar dog toys, and rinse off pretty well if they get grubby.”
Why play is important for dogs?
Playing with your dog is essential for a variety of reasons. First, it not only helps to keep them physically active but also mentally stimulated. This is especially important as dogs can get bored easily. Playing with your dog can help alleviate boredom and help keep them entertained. VCA Animal Hospital explains that not enough exercise can contribute to problem behaviors like destructive chewing and digging, excitability, attention-getting behaviors, unruliness, and even excessive barking.
VCA adds that “It is especially important to ensure that a dog’s need for exercise and social interaction have been met prior to leaving the dog alone at home and prior to lengthy crating or confinement sessions.” They add that tug games are an enjoyable diversion for many puppies and adult dogs as they help to direct chewing and biting toward an acceptable play toy, rather than the pet parent’s hands or clothing.
How to play tug games with your puppy?
Tugs toys for puppies feature fleece, nylon, or rope. Tug toys like tug a jug deliver small treats whenever the toy is tugged at. This encourages your puppy to stop tugging and to grab the treats before commencing play again, so you don’t end up pitting your strength against your dogs.
You can use the same technique to train your puppy to stop or drop the tug toy by rewarding him with treats as soon as he drops the tug toy. After your dog is sitting calmly, you can resume the tug game.
VCA explains that “Once you have a dog that will play tug without biting of hands or clothing and shows no possessive aggression with respect to the toy, you might be able to proceed to supervised tug games with children. If teeth come in contact with hands, if aggression escalates beyond play, or the dog is unwilling to give up the tug toy, the game must end immediately.”
Types of dog tug toys
Tug toys come in various shapes and sizes, each providing a slightly different type of play experience for your dog.
Rope Tugs: Rope tugs are some of the most popular dog tug toys because they are durable and can be used by dogs of all sizes. They are also an excellent choice for interactive playtime because they create more resistance when pulled.
Most feature a knot at each end, making it easier for your dog to get a good grip. This can make the game more challenging and entertaining for your dog. Rope dog tug toys are lightweight, soft, and strong, which means they’re pretty safe for playtime, even with puppies. They’re also affordable for multi-pet homes and easy to wash and dry.
Bumper tug toys for dogs
Bumper tug toys are dog tug toys made of different materials like plastic or rubber. They are designed to be durable and long-lasting. Bumper dog tug toys are perfect for interactive playtime because they bounce erratically when thrown, keeping your dog entertained for hours on end.
These toys usually are crafted with a handle or two making it easy to play tug with your furbaby. This type of toy is very durable and also to wash and dry. They also work well for fetch games in the pool, with many of them floating.
Ring tug toys for dogs
Ring tug toys for dogs are made in ring form. These toys essentially feature a hollow ring of plastic or rubber; but can also be found in fabric and rope, all of which are long-lasting and safe. So, it’s essential to choose the correct size for your dog; as a general guide, the ring should be large enough that your dog cannot get his mouth around it entirely.
This type of toy is favored for its interactive properties; when you tug on the ring, your dog will pull back with just as much force. This can result in some pretty active and fun play sessions. Because they are easily washable and non-toxic, ring dog tug toys are an excellent option for indoor and outdoor playtime.
Other dog tug toys
Other dog tug toys can be found in exciting or funny shapes that don’t fit neatly into one of the other categories. a variety of shapes and sizes, but the most common type is the handled dog tug toy.
These toys are perfect for interactive playtime because they create more resistance when pulled. Most are made of durable rubber, materials, or plastic and have a handle on one end, making it easy for you to hold on while your dog tugs. They are crafted with various materials, including rubber, plastic, and fabric. As with all dog tug toys, the key here is to choose durable and appropriate for your dog’s size.
West Paw Zogoflex Dog Toys
Still no convinced? Here is a video of one of the dog tug toys that we included in our review.
Claudia Bensimoun is a writer who specializes in dog content and veterinary topics! Aside from writing for We Love Doodles, Claudia also writes for other major dog blogs like Fido Friendly, Animal Wellness Magazine, and the United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA). She has a ghostwritten over 50 different dog e-books. Her passions include animal welfare, veterinary research, and wildlife conservation.
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