is this cruel or ok to do

If a staff has something strong in their mouth is it ok to pick it up and swing them round? i have heard people say they like it... seems like it might hurt or not be nice for the dog?

Personally, I wouldn't do it too much with a staffy. A lot of them do love it, but they weigh a lot for a medium-sized dog. With all that weight centred on their teeth and jaws, as well as the added bonus of velocity, it might put too much stress on them.

Daisy loves tug of war, its her favorite game, must admit I do rag her about a bit!

Part of a Stafford's breeding is that they have incredibly strong jaw, neck & back muscles. Plus, their teeth are actually bigger for the size of the dog than most other breeds, and also incredibly strong.

There's no harm in lifting them off the ground like that for short periods, but it shouldn't be done for too long, mainly because they can often 'lose it' and try shaking the item in mid air! That can result in a twisted back - not nice!

I wouldn't do it in public, though, it gives the wrong impression of an already vilified breed.

Caryll wrote:Part of a Stafford's breeding is that they have incredibly strong jaw, neck & back muscles. Plus, their teeth are actually bigger for the size of the dog than most other breeds, and also incredibly strong.

There's no harm in lifting them off the ground like that for short periods, but it shouldn't be done for too long, mainly because they can often 'lose it' and try shaking the item in mid air! That can result in a twisted back - not nice!

I wouldn't do it in public, though, it gives the wrong impression of an already vilified breed.

Absolutely, Daisy sounds like she's going to kill me when we play tug!

Darcy loves games of tug too, im pretty rough but I don't lift her (I couldn't) she is very vocal when we play, like she's going to eat me

I agree with everyone above. Staffs love a tug of war, like many dogs, but picking them off their feet and swinging them around could be dangerous for their teeth or muscles. Plus it doesn't teach them to "leave it" when they need to and doesn't look good to Joe Public.

Lynda wrote:I agree with everyone above.  Staffs love a tug of war, like many dogs, but picking them off their feet and swinging them around could be dangerous for their teeth or muscles.  Plus it doesn't teach them to "leave it" when they need to and doesn't look good to Joe Public.

I did used to lift Bandit off his feet sometimes & yes, he loved it! But it was only for a few seconds at a time, and when I put his feet back on the ground I'd get him to leave the item/toy. He had a strong "leave" so I never had any problems.

You won't hurt their teeth (as long as they've been looked after properly!), but you could risk a pulled/twisted back if you do it for too long.

Thank you Caryll for expanding - I should have clarified more. A bit of a "wheeee" off the feet - great. Round and round and round and round - maybe not so.

I must admit we do it with Vinnie but only at the end of his walk in the woods, and only for a couple of seconds.  

Probably should also be mentioned to wait until the dog is no longer a puppy befre ever attempting even small flying lessons.

Wrigley wrote:Probably should also be mentioned to wait until the dog is no longer a puppy befre ever attempting even small flying lessons.

Great advice! 

I do it at home or in my garden for very short bursts as harvey enjoys it, but like Caryll said not in public

Lexi doesn't really play tug but my old fella loved it and he was nearly always off the ground in the younger years. as he got older i stopped doing that. as said its okay really if they are fit and healthy, but i wouldn't do it too much in public lol

lol thankyou everyone seems its ok then. im not really that strong to lift him but i can do it for a couple of seconds.  

My dog runs up my tree and hangs off the branch (6ft off floor). I have never trained or encouraged him to do it. He must like it or he wouldn't do it

Katy loves nothing more than a good game of tug & my oh does get her to dangle but like the others say, never in public  

My hubby does this very occasionally with Rocky in the park when there is no one else around, I wouldn't be able to lift him  

In my opinion its o.k. providing its done safely & the dogs happy, then have fun.

I agree with all the previous posts. My beloved first Staff (Helen, yes I know.. I didn't choose her name) used to hang off low branches trying to take the tree down lol

Flo loves nothing better than a game of tug o war, after all that's what Staffs were designed for I guess. Flo only ever gets lifted up for a couple of seconds due to her bionic leg and the thought of all those ££££'s should she land awkwardly but hey.. Try keeping a Staffy down eh

I'll be honest I do it, he seems to love it (he's 16wks) it's a fave trick of mine, but it's only a few seconds and not too high in case he drops and busts his back!

Guest wrote:

I wouldn't do it in public, though, it gives the wrong impression of an already vilified breed.

+1