How to Build a Spring Pole for Dogs (DIY Guide)
A spring pole is a heavy-duty spring hung from a tree branch or beam with a rope or fire hose tug at the bottom. Your dog grabs the tug and pulls, hangs and swings against the spring, which turns a game of tug-of-war into a serious muscle building workout. You can build a DIY spring pole for dogs for about $30 to $35 in parts and an hour of work.
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Dogs love the pulling, swinging, and tugging action that the spring pole provides. Below you will find the full parts list, step-by-step build instructions, how to introduce your dog, safe heights by age, and the safety rules that matter most for strong pullers like pit bulls and American Bullies.
What a spring pole does
The spring pole simulates the tug-o-war game. Dogs are naturally challenged by this game.
It entices them to pull, hang, and swing. As seen here in this video of Bully Max sponsored ACE from DarkDynastyK9s:
Bully Max sponsored Vinny, Stephanie Lamp's American Pit Bull Terrier, shows the same drive on a spring pole hung from a tree:
The spring pole provides an intense muscle-building workout that burns a great deal of energy. Pulling and holding against the spring works the jaw, neck, shoulders, back and rear legs, and it is a great outlet for high-drive dogs who need more than a walk.
Parts needed
- Trigger hook / swivel eye tie snap
- Quick link
- Porch swing spring
- Carabiner (spring hook)
- A rope OR piece of firehose (the firehose is more durable)
- A piece of rope to hang your spring pole from a tree
If you're unable to hang your spring pole from a tree, you can use an Everlast wood beam hanger.
Total cost: about $30 to $35 (hardware prices vary).
Heavy-duty tip: for big, powerful dogs, choose a spring and hardware with a working load rating well above your dog's body weight, since a dog hanging and shaking puts far more force on the parts than its weight alone.
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.
A real spring pole session, so you can see how a dog hangs and works against the spring:
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Complete spring pole part list
How to build a spring pole for dogs
Step 1: Locate a place to mount the spring pole
A strong tree branch is usually the easiest way to mount your spring pole.
If a tree branch isn't available, a wood beam would be the next best choice.
You can find a suitable wood beam in your garage, under your deck, or in your basement.
Pick a spot with soft ground underneath (grass, sand or rubber mats), no sharp objects nearby, and enough clearance that a swinging dog cannot hit a wall, fence or post.
Step 2: Install a hanger for the spring pole
Tree branch method:
Tie a rope to the branch.
The rope will act as your hanger for the rest of the parts.
The bottom of this rope should be roughly 5 feet from the ground.
Wood beam method:
If you are using a wood beam, the Everlast Wood Beam Hanger was the most durable and cost effective hanger we found.
Two large screws are provided with the wood hanger. Using a ratchet, screw the screws through the holes in wood beam hanger and into the wood beam.
Other hanging methods:
You can get some additional ideas on how to hang your spring pole by searching for the term "heavy bag mount" in Google Images. Any mount rated for a heavy punching bag is a good starting point.
Step 3: Connect your parts together
Attach your parts together in this order (from the top to bottom):
- Rope or wooden beam hanger
- Trigger hook
- Quick link
- Porch spring
- Carabiner (spring hook)
- Fire hose or toy
After your parts are all connected, here's what the spring pole will look like:
Step 4: Introduce your dog to the spring pole
You can get them started by holding the tug rope and shaking it.
This will entice them to start using the spring pole.
Some dogs may need more encouragement than others. If your dog isn't showing interest in the spring pole, you can encourage them to use it by rewarding them with verbal praises and treats.
You can also attach a cowhide to the rope in order to increase their interest.
If they still aren't grasping the concept, you can lower the spring pole to ground level and play tug games with them. Over time you can gradually raise the height of the rope until it's high enough for them to hang from it.
A sturdy tug toy makes those ground-level tug games easy, and it works on the spring pole too.
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.
Challenge your dog
To make it more challenging you can raise the height of the rope as high as 6 feet in the air.
Pictured above is Bully Max sponsored ACE from DarkDynastyK9s. A perfect example of the results that a good workout on the spring pole and the right diet delivers.
ACE uses Bully Max Pro to get the most out of his workouts on the spring pole.
For dogs of all ages and breeds
Dogs of all ages and breeds enjoy using the spring pole. Set the height by your dog's age and experience:
| Dog | Rope height | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Puppies | Adjust as needed, low enough that all four feet stay on the ground | Gentle tug only. Skip hanging and jumping until your vet says growth plates have closed. |
| Beginners | About 4 feet off the ground | Short sessions while your dog learns the game. |
| Advanced | 6+ feet off the ground | Conditioned adult dogs only. Watch form and stop before fatigue. |
Spring pole safety rules
Before every session
- Check the spring, hooks, quick link and rope for wear. Replace anything frayed, bent or rusted.
- Keep sessions short: a few minutes of work with breaks is plenty for most dogs, then call it a day.
- Always supervise. Do not leave a dog alone with a spring pole, and never let two dogs use it at once.
- Use soft ground underneath so landings are easy on joints.
- Skip hard sessions in hot weather, right after a big meal, or for flat-faced breeds that overheat easily.
- Teach a solid "drop it" so you can end the game on your terms.
If your dog limps, favors a leg, chips a tooth or seems sore afterward, stop and check with your vet.
Video: How to build a spring pole
Fuel the work
Spring pole work builds muscle, but muscle is built from food. A hard-working dog needs enough calories and quality protein to recover between sessions, especially a lean pit bull or bully that struggles to keep weight on. Use the dog food calculator to check how much your dog needs, and see our 30-day dog muscle building guide for a full weekly plan that pairs the spring pole with cardio and rest days.
In our customers' words
“The ability to provide a protein rich diet to my pup, who is naturally muscular and athletic”
— Bully Max customer, post-purchase survey
“My dog has been eating this since he was 6 weeks old. He is now 4 years old and is solid, muscle definition in his legs.”
— Bully Max customer, post-purchase survey
“Well I just adopted an American bully from a family that couldn’t take care of him anymore. When I got him he was skinny but I used your food and he’s getting muscles”
— Bully Max customer, post-purchase survey
Spring pole sessions burn a lot of energy. ACE fuels his workouts with Bully Max Pro, which packs 600 calories per cup for working and sport dogs.
TRY BULLY MAX PRO SERIES 31/25 DOG FOOD
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Spring pole FAQ
How do you make a spring pole for dogs?
Hang a rope from a strong branch or a beam hanger, then connect a trigger hook, quick link, porch swing spring, carabiner and a fire hose or rope tug, in that order. The bottom of the tug should start around 4 feet off the ground for most adult dogs.
Are spring poles good for pit bulls?
Yes, for healthy adult pit bulls and bullies a spring pole is a great outlet for their natural drive to grip and pull. Keep sessions short, supervised and on soft ground, and build up height slowly. See how much exercise a pitbull needs for the full weekly picture.
How high should a spring pole be?
Start at about 4 feet for beginners and work up to 6 feet or more for conditioned adults. Puppies should keep all four feet on the ground.
What is the difference between a spring pole and a flirt pole?
A spring pole hangs in place and is all about pulling and holding. A flirt pole is a handheld pole with a lure that you move, so your dog sprints, turns and jumps. Many owners use both.
Any questions on building a spring pole? Just comment below! And if you're looking for other ways to pump up the activity for your dog, don't forget to check out our Indestructible Dog Ball from our Bully Max dog equipment collection.
Last But Not Least, Don't Forget...
It's always a good idea to consult your veterinarian before starting any new exercise routine with your dog. In addition, consult your vet immediately if you suspect your dog has sustained any injuries as a result of using the spring pole.
Ready to build? Hang your spring pole this weekend, and fuel the work with Bully Max PRO Series 31/25 for dogs in hard training or Bully Max 30/20 High Protein for everyday active dogs.
Feed like a champion
Spring pole sessions burn serious energy. PRO Series 31/25 packs 600 calories per cup with 31% protein and 25% fat for dogs in hard training; for everyday active dogs, start with 30/20.
TRY BULLY MAX PRO SERIES 31/25 DOG FOOD
High-calorie performance nutrition with 31% protein, 25% fat, and 600 calories per cup for working and sport dogs.
Save 10% with autoship and get each bag delivered on a schedule.
Family-owned since 2009 · Made in USA · Every batch triple tested · Zero recalls · 50,000+ 5-star reviews · Dog Food Advisor 5/5
35 comments
NICE!!! I’m defiantly making one of these this weekend.
You may also enjoy this DIY article on making a flirt pole: https://bullymax.com/flirt-pole/
This looks like fun and super exercise if you set it up right. iI like the suggestion of having the pull toy attached to a tree or something solid for a strong dog like this. I had to quit playing tug of war with my dog when it got to the point where she was dragging me around the yard. Good solution and great step by step instructions.
Guyz can u post some videos how to exercise my bully plz
Sure, I would recommend checking out the this article: https://bullymax.com/spring-pole/ as well as this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YdRmFezcX8