Flirt Pole Issues - Page 2

onyx'girl · 01-01-2013, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel

I don't use anything on the end either.

So your pup is just chasing the line? I've always put something on the end of mine....either a piece of knotted burlap or a toy. Right now I have a fox tail on the end of it. Karlo loves it, and it is his reward after tracking.

Nigel · 01-01-2013, 03:30 PM

This one is from TSC. I think it's the same as mine.

Nigel · 01-01-2013, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onyx'girl

So your pup is just chasing the line? I've always put something on the end of mine....either a piece of knotted burlap or a toy. Right now I have a fox tail on the end of it. Karlo loves it, and it is his reward after tracking.

I've thought about it, but she is so quick at grabbing just the line, I thought a toy on the end would make it way too easy IDK. Maybe I'll try something small.

onyx'girl · 01-01-2013, 03:37 PM

I'd put a toy on it! Ball on string, wubba or just a knotted rag. The dog does need more than a string, IMO. I usually will play tug with the toy, and then out the dog(make the toy go still 'dead'. Or let the dog prance around and then make movement again with tension on the line. I have the same one from TSC/ think it was around $20?

Jo Ellen · 01-01-2013, 04:07 PM

I'm going to try something small and soft. Fox tail, I like this thought. Going to google now....

onyx'girl · 01-01-2013, 04:10 PM

I got mine at a lure coursing event
Here is a fb page that may be of help https://www.facebook.com/FursForLures

llombardo · 01-01-2013, 04:56 PM

This is the one I got for my dog...she loves it. All of my dogs love it.

Squishy Face Studio - Tough Dog Exercise and Training Toys

SueDoNimm · 01-02-2013, 02:23 PM

My dog loves the flirt pole. I use it to burn off energy as well as work on commands like release, sit, stay, etc. It's been really useful now that it's dark by the time I get home and he can't see his ball to find it when playing fetch. He can see the toy on the flirt pole in just a little light, since it never gets out of his sight. It's nice to have this other outlet for his energy in addition to our daily walks.

He chases it until I make a mistake and he catches it. Sometimes I make him release and start over, sometimes I let him gnaw on the toy for a minute, sometimes he will run in circles around me holding the toy while I hold the lunge whip.

I've read here that flirt poles are only for puppies, but my dog loves it and it's a great way to burn off energy and to work on his commands. His toy drive is off the charts and he will do anything if it involves play.

StephenV · 01-02-2013, 03:38 PM

I also use a nylon braided horse lunge whip. It works well. I tied a small 'roadkill' style plush toy on the end that looks like a flattened rodent. When Blitz realized it was fake his interest fell off at first, now he will go up to it in storage and "ask" me to play it with him. Prancing around with it after a catch is his favorite part. I just drop it or follow with him. I am careful not to yank or snap it too hard when it's in his jaws, I don't want to hurt his mouth which would defeat the purpose.

The other thing I watch out for is not to change directions too quickly or overdo it, you can really drive the poor dog into the ground going after it.

wolfy dog · 01-02-2013, 07:31 PM

I know WD would love to play like this (i used to do this briefly when he was tiny) but I am worried that the quick and sudden movements and the force behind it (85 lbs!) will lead to injuries. What are your experiences with this form of play?

01-01-2013, 03:37 PM	#14 (permalink)
onyx'girl Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SW, MI Posts: 21,187	I'd put a toy on it! Ball on string, wubba or just a knotted rag. The dog does need more than a string, IMO. I usually will play tug with the toy, and then out the dog(make the toy go still 'dead'. Or let the dog prance around and then make movement again with tension on the line. I have the same one from TSC/ think it was around $20? __________________ Jane~ Kept by Onyx, Kacie and Gideon v Wildhaus aka Karlo

01-01-2013, 04:10 PM	#16 (permalink)
onyx'girl Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SW, MI Posts: 21,187	I got mine at a lure coursing event Here is a fb page that may be of help https://www.facebook.com/FursForLures __________________ Jane~ Kept by Onyx, Kacie and Gideon v Wildhaus aka Karlo Last edited by onyx'girl; 01-01-2013 at 04:14 PM.

01-01-2013, 04:56 PM	#17 (permalink)
llombardo Crowned Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,936	This is the one I got for my dog...she loves it. All of my dogs love it. Squishy Face Studio - Tough Dog Exercise and Training Toys __________________ Misty- Samoyed Mix Tannor- Golden Retriever CGC Robyn- German Shepherd CGC Cats-Thunder, Harley, Miley, Bandit, and Ferah RIP Boo..Black Lab "A dog is the only thing on this earth that loves you more than he loves himself."

01-02-2013, 02:23 PM	#18 (permalink)
SueDoNimm Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: North Carolina Posts: 261	My dog loves the flirt pole. I use it to burn off energy as well as work on commands like release, sit, stay, etc. It's been really useful now that it's dark by the time I get home and he can't see his ball to find it when playing fetch. He can see the toy on the flirt pole in just a little light, since it never gets out of his sight. It's nice to have this other outlet for his energy in addition to our daily walks. He chases it until I make a mistake and he catches it. Sometimes I make him release and start over, sometimes I let him gnaw on the toy for a minute, sometimes he will run in circles around me holding the toy while I hold the lunge whip. I've read here that flirt poles are only for puppies, but my dog loves it and it's a great way to burn off energy and to work on his commands. His toy drive is off the charts and he will do anything if it involves play. __________________ Jerry, CGC - born 12/8/2009, adopted 7/7/2012

01-02-2013, 03:38 PM	#19 (permalink)
StephenV Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Florida Posts: 471	I also use a nylon braided horse lunge whip. It works well. I tied a small 'roadkill' style plush toy on the end that looks like a flattened rodent. When Blitz realized it was fake his interest fell off at first, now he will go up to it in storage and "ask" me to play it with him. Prancing around with it after a catch is his favorite part. I just drop it or follow with him. I am careful not to yank or snap it too hard when it's in his jaws, I don't want to hurt his mouth which would defeat the purpose. The other thing I watch out for is not to change directions too quickly or overdo it, you can really drive the poor dog into the ground going after it. Last edited by StephenV; 01-02-2013 at 03:41 PM.

01-01-2013, 03:30 PM	#12 (permalink)
Nigel Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,468	This one is from TSC. I think it's the same as mine.

01-01-2013, 04:07 PM	#15 (permalink)
Jo Ellen Master Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Duncansville, PA Posts: 759	I'm going to try something small and soft. Fox tail, I like this thought. Going to google now....

01-02-2013, 07:31 PM	#20 (permalink)
wolfy dog Elite Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Pacific NW Posts: 1,311	I know WD would love to play like this (i used to do this briefly when he was tiny) but I am worried that the quick and sudden movements and the force behind it (85 lbs!) will lead to injuries. What are your experiences with this form of play? __________________ To know if you are doing things right, you should be willing to trade places with your dog.

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