Flirt Pole for Dogs: How to Use It, Training Tips and a DIY Build
A flirt pole for dogs is a pole with a cord and a lure on the end that you drag and swing along the ground for your dog to chase. It is one of the fastest ways to tire out a high-drive dog, and a great tool for training impulse control. A DIY flirt pole is just a pole, a cord and a toy: you can make one for under $5 with PVC pipe, paracord, a couple of washers and an old toy, or for free with a broom handle, rope and a rag.
One of the top exercises for bulking up your dog is using the Flirt Pole. Sprinting, stopping and leaping after the lure works the whole body, especially the rear legs, and it burns energy fast.
Video: Step by step guide on making a flirt pole
What does a flirt pole for dogs do?
It brings out their natural prey drive. By chasing and jumping at the toy, it gives them a full body workout (especially rear legs and cardio).
It's a staple for many bully and pit bull breeders, and it is also a great training tool: every session is practice for "wait," "take it" and "drop it."
Pictured above: Riddick from Manmade Kennels and his owner Mike Hughes working with a flirt pole. Manmade Kennels is one of the many champion breeders sponsored by Bully Max.
Before we go further, a quick note on fuel: if your dog needs more strength and energy from the bowl, a meat-based, high-protein food is the simplest place to start.
FUEL YOUR DOG WITH BULLY MAX 30/20 HIGH-PROTEIN FOOD
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How to build your own Flirt Pole for less than $5
Materials Needed:
- PVC pipe (about 3 to 4 feet long, 3/4 inch or thicker)
- Washers (used as a stopper)
- Chew toy, rag, or bandana
- Paracord
- Hockey tape (optional, for grip)
Total cost: $4.80
Step-by-step
- Cut the pipe. About 3 to 4 feet is easy to swing for most people. Sand any rough edges.
- Thread the cord. Run the paracord through the pipe. Leave a length of cord out the far end about as long as the pole.
- Stop the cord. At the handle end, slide on a washer or two and tie a large knot so the cord can't pull back through.
- Tape the handle. Wrap the handle end in hockey tape for grip (optional).
- Attach the lure. Tie your toy, rag or bandana securely to the free end. Check the knot before every session.
You can even make a flirt pole using household items.
An old broom stick, rope, and rag.
Total cost: $0.00!
DIY flirt pole for large dogs
Big, strong dogs can snap thin PVC or chew through light cord. Use thicker-walled pipe or a solid wood handle, heavier rope, and a tough lure. Some owners add a short bungee section near the lure to soften hard hits on the dog's neck and on your wrists.
How to use a flirt pole with your dog:
It's actually pretty fun.
- Start with "wait." Ask for a sit or wait before the lure moves.
- Release and drag. Say your release word and drag the lure along the ground in wide circles, away from your dog, like a fleeing rabbit.
- Let them win. Let your dog catch it often. A dog that never catches the lure gets frustrated and loses interest.
- Trade with "drop it." After a short tug, ask for "drop it," reward, and start again.
- Finish with a win. End the session while your dog still wants more.
Keep the lure low most of the time. An occasional jump is fine for healthy adults, but lots of high leaps and tight spins are hard on joints. Dogs love the challenge because it's fun, and the sprinting and quick stops build up the muscles of the hind legs.
If your dog loses interest quickly, try the training tips below.
Flirt pole training tips: how to get your dog interested
Most dogs chase the lure right away, but some need a little extra motivation. Dogs see toys a bit like prey, so they are drawn to lures that move, make noise, smell interesting or can be "caught" and shaken.
1. Use a squeaky toy
A squeak sounds a lot like startled prey, which taps into your dog's natural chase instinct. Tying a squeaky toy to the cord is often all a slow starter needs.
2. Try a strip of hide as a lure
Many dogs love the smell and texture of natural hide. A dried strip of cow hide tied to the cord makes a high-value lure. Use it for the chase, not as a chew: supervise, and take it away before your dog can tear off and swallow pieces. The same lures work well on a spring pole.
3. Get excited with your dog
Dogs feed off our energy. Upbeat praise and an excited voice while the lure moves can make a big difference to a hesitant dog.
4. Keep it short and let them win
Stop while your dog still wants more and let them catch the lure often. A quick game of tug at the end makes the catch even more rewarding.
Flirt pole lures to avoid
- Very hard toys: dogs lose interest in toys they can't grip or shake.
- Old, familiar toys: a new or "special" lure that only comes out for flirt pole time is more exciting.
- Rawhide chews: large swallowed pieces can be a choking or blockage risk.
Ending a session with a short game of tug lets your dog "win" the toy and keeps their drive high for next time. This tug is built for strong dogs.
TRY THE BULLY MAX HEAVY-DUTY TUG TOY
A tough linen or jute tug with nylon handles. Built for drive building, training, and interactive play with strong dogs.
How often should my dog and I use the flirt pole?
Flirt pole work is intense, close to sprint training. For most healthy adult dogs, a few short rounds of 1 to 2 minutes with rest in between, for a total of 5 to 15 minutes, a few days a week is plenty. Work up slowly, and stop when your dog starts slowing down, panting hard or getting sloppy.
If you have multiple dogs, work them one at a time. Two dogs chasing one lure can lead to collisions or squabbles.
It's one of the most effective ways out there to exercise your dog. Pair it with walks and a spring pole for a complete routine.
Best practices to keep your dog safe:
Make sure when using the Flirt Pole that you keep your dog on soft ground such as grass or sand. Do not use the Flirt Pole on concrete as it can easily injure your dog.
Stay on soft ground.
Flirt pole safety checklist
- Soft, even ground with no holes, rocks or obstacles.
- Warm up with a walk first.
- Puppies: keep the lure on the ground, no jumping, and keep sessions very short until your vet says growth plates have closed.
- Skip it in the heat and right after meals.
- Check the cord and lure before each session.
- Stop if your dog limps or seems sore, and see your vet.
Best ways to recover after a flirt pole workout:
Muscle is built in two places: the yard and the food bowl. This is no different with dogs.
After intensive workouts with a Flirt Pole, just like any human, your dog needs to refuel on all the good stuff:
- Protein
- BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids)
- Healthy fats
- Carbs
Start with a complete, meat-based diet with enough calories for the work your dog does. If you want extra support, many owners add Bully Max Muscle Builder, a chewable flavored tablet you can give your dog alongside their meals. For more ideas, see our dog muscle building exercises and muscle building tips.
Here are the muscle builder tablets mentioned above.
TRY BULLY MAX MUSCLE BUILDER TABLETS
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Flirt pole FAQ
How do you make a flirt pole for dogs?
Thread paracord through a 3 to 4 foot PVC pipe, stop it at the handle with washers and a knot, and tie a toy or rag to the other end. Leave about as much cord as the pole is long.
How long should the rope be on a flirt pole?
About the same length as the pole is a good start. Longer cord gives your dog more room to chase but is harder to control.
What if my dog won't chase the flirt pole?
Switch to a squeaky toy or a new lure, keep it low and moving away from your dog, use an excited voice, and let your dog catch it early and often. Keep sessions very short until the interest builds.
Are flirt poles good for puppies?
Gentle flirt pole play on the ground can be a great training game for puppies, but skip the jumping and keep sessions very short until they are physically mature.
So build yourself a Flirt Pole, find some grass, and get your dog moving. Then keep that muscle fed with Bully Max 30/20 High Protein, or PRO Series 31/25 for hard-training dogs.
Looking for other ways to keep that energetic dog of yours active? Check out our Indestructible Dog Ball for Power Chewers, or watch more training videos on the Bully Max Facebook page.
6 comments
Thanks, I made this today and Ozzy loves it! Super simple and cheap to make. Great directions.
Could you please list the 5 Golden rules, we have a 4 month old Pitt and he is giving us a run for it. Everything I’ve used in the past just isn’t working.
I made one of these for my cat and she loved it!!!! LOL..
Rose is a beast
great idea! lol