Friday, August 8, 2014

Flirt Poles on Friday


In a previous blog post I mentioned that I really like to use a flirt pole to burn off my dogs energy. It can be an awesome tool for keeping your dog fit!



When I first got Phoenix she was very hyper and didn't have an off switch. She was also extremely anxious and the slightest thing would set her off. Like a cat walking by or what not. She would pace our apartment endlessly looking for cats. When I realized she was reactive and didn't like big dogs, going to the dog park (most of the time) was out and we had to become very creative in meeting her exercise needs since I'm not physically able to run with her.  We ended up making a flirt pole and we also taught her to play fetch with a chuck it. 


Another great benefit from having her chase the flirt pole was having an outlet for her prey drive. Having a "legal" object to chase made it easier for her to learn not to chase my small furry cat. 

Stalking her toy.

Flirt pole play should definitely have rules and it's great for training impulse control. I taught Phoenix that she wasn't allowed to touch the toy until I said "GET IT!" and that she must give the toy back when I say "OUT".  

She's waiting politely for me to tell her she can have it.

Making a flirt pole is pretty easy. There are tons of ways you can do it. We had a short one for in the house attached to an old fishing pole and I also went and bought a horse whip and tied a toy on the end of it for using outside.

My husband and Phoenix.


One of the best things about the flirt pole was building a relationship between Phoenix and my husband. It took Phoenix 6 months to let him pet her and to be truly okay and comfortable with it. Having a toy to play with that they both enjoyed helped a ton. 


Playing a bit of tug before "outing" her. 


You can see how fit she really is. 

I absolutely love my flirt pole and I highly recommend them to everyone. 









28 comments:

  1. We made our flirt pole with a horse whip too! Rocco loves it. Looks like Phoenix loves it too!
    Diane and Rocco

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    1. Yep! She really does! If only I could get Zoe interested in it. :D

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  2. That looks amazin'! Do they make 'em for cats?

    Purrs,
    Nissy #Niss4Senate - tell the PM, today

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    1. Thanks! They do make similar toys for cats. I really like the "da-bird" toy!

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  3. Good idea. My sister Bailie and I are big squirrel and wabbit hunters. I know when to quit, bu Bailie is still young and on walks it can get pretty tiring for Mom trying to distract her. This might help out. Thanks for joining the FitDog Friday blog hop!

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    1. We know your mom's pain! Zoe and Phoenix do that, too!! Recently they've discovered deer and go nuts!

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  4. Great idea for an easy DIY toy. Glad that it helped with your husband's relationship with Phoenix too. Running has been the glue for Maggie and Steve...she has to trust him when they are on runs together. Thanks for joining the Hop and sharing your ideas.

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    1. Thank you!! I'm glad you found something that works for Steve and Maggie!!

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  5. You should give lure chasing a try! Yo'd love it :)

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    1. I really want to! Hopefully we will be able to soon!

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  6. That looks like fun. We play with our kitty with a much smaller version. :)

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  7. Flirt poles are GREAT! I actually did a post on them a while back too! They work so well, and give off more exercise then people would think.
    ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

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    1. Awesome! I will have to check it out! I totally agree with you!

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  8. Mr. N has one but he's kind of meh about it. He's not terribly toy motivated though. Now real squirrels on the other hand...

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  9. What an awesome toy to play and have fun! Thanks for joining us in the Pet Parade!!

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  10. What a great way to exercise and bond at the same time! My first dog would have loved a toy like this.

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  11. Awesome idea. I've never heard of that, at least not called by that name. Thanks for joining the Pawty on the Pet Parade today! Great to see you!

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  12. I really need to find something more enticing for my flirt pole for Nola. She's picky. Pike would rather play frisbee. PS: Love the header! ;P

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    1. Thanks!! Yeah, Zoe doesn't really like the toy I have on it right now, either... or maybe it's the ground.. I don't think they like playing with it on dirt...

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  13. Your "kids" are lovely. Thanks for visiting Borderblog.

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  14. How timely! I just made a flirt pole this morning! (horse lunge whip with toy attached). The girls love it and are already pooped! My patio is too small for them to really get to race around, but it's something!

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    1. That's awesome!! :D We made a shorter one for inside when we lived in our apartment and it was raining all the time.. We used the bottom part of a fishing pole. It worked okay!

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  15. Flirt poles are awesome! Great pictures!

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