Dogs love the pulling, swinging, and tugging action that the spring pole provides.
What a spring pole does
The spring pole simulates the tug-o-war game. Dog’s 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:
https://youtu.be/wpWXpJDoQ3g
The spring pole provides an intense muscle-building workout that burns a great deal of energy.
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 $30 - $35
Complete spring pole part list
How you build it...
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.
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.
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:
https://youtu.be/YNc95IUWkCA
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. Overtime you can gradually raise the height of the rope until it's high enough for them to hang from it.
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 Gorilla Max 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.
Puppies: adjust the height of the rope as needed.
Beginners: recommended height: 4 feet off the ground
Advanced: recommended height: 6+ feet off of the ground
Video: How to build a spring pole
https://youtu.be/R0g-kuw88fQ
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.
- Dog Muscle
- Dog Training & Exercising
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36 comments
Cynthia Close
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.
Bully Max
You may also enjoy this DIY article on making a flirt pole: https://bullymax.com/flirt-pole/
Mark Addiego
NICE!!! I’m defiantly making one of these this weekend.
Bully Max
Great to hear!
Jashan Bhangu
do they work for bully kuttas n boxers
Bully Max
Great to hear! Thanks for the feedback Jashan
Jashan Bhangu
these things really works good for my dog he is becomming more energetic now thanq guyz…
Bully Max
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
Jashan Bhangu
Guyz can u post some videos how to exercise my bully plz
Crystal Burgett-Bratt
I have had lots of pits over the years but I’m not a purest, I commonly take in pits from unknown bloodline or pit mixes that are in need of homes. Currently I have 3 dogs one a pit mix that’s a Shepard husky pit mix known as Sandy (she came with the name and was already 2years old so I kept the Sandy) , one thats a beagle mix that we do not know what he is mixed with but I suspect some pit do his stance and build (low wide flat back very muscular like the gator pits ) known as captain, and a chihuahua known as Loki. Loki is fully on a spring pole set up in the house and hangs regularly from it dispite being a chihuahua which is funny to watch. He came to me at 17 weeks old with an extreme love of tug of war and wanted me to play it for hours at a time but I got board with the game after 10 -20 min so I tied a ribbon to his toy and hung it from a upper cabinit door and he had a blast, I later added a spring(although his spring has allot smaller spring assembly) and a stronger rope. So any dog can use a spring pole even in the house. I tried to get Sandy into the spring pole by starting her on a flirt pole first but she had no interest and instead runs with my 4wheeler for fun. Captain loves the flirt pole (but I don’t have time or patients to play as much as he and I would like) and I plan to set him a spring pole up soon. BTW I think Sandy would do good with the Bully Max supplements as she has the Shepard build that’s very lean and no real bulk but wouldn’t dare give it to captain he already breaks every collar I put on him he is so strong and over muscular that it gets him in trouble because he can’t be contained, he breaks collars, destroys fences ect.. I had to get him a special collar for pits and other very large dogs.
Bully Max
Hi Abbey. Yes, Bully Max is suitable for all breeds of dogs. With 2 hours of exercise per day, you would see some great results. You may also want to try Bully Max dog food (https://bullymax.com/product/dog-food/) along with Bully Max supplements for maximum results.
Abbey Borsom
Hi i was wondering, will bully max help beef up my doberman? I have a european male, but he isnt very toned or muscular. I exercise him intensely for 2 hours a day, and see only a little improvement. he is on a good diet, and is a very lean weight, as a i run him next to my bike
Vale
I use it with my 35 pounds german shepherd mix… she loves it and can hang for longer than our friend’s pit!
Bully Max
Hi Marco, in this video, our friends over at manmade kennels explain what springs need to be used for puppies and smaller breeds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWDBZDgVEII
Marco
I would like to build a spring pole, I have Vizsla’s that weigh between 25 to 35 kg depending if male or female. I notice that the spring poles are shown with a porch swing spring that is designed to take quite a load. I am sure that a bull breed is much stronger than my dogs and I was wondering if my dogs would even make an impact on the porch spring ?
Bully Max
Yes, you can use a spring pole with all breeds of dogs.
Jess
Awesome step by step instructions! Where did you get the fire hose?
Daniel Green
Should I limit the time my dog uses a spring Pole right now it is in the yard he has access to it whenever he want
Bully Max
Here’s an article on how to increase your dog’s interest in spring pole & flirt poles: https://bullymax.com/flirt-pole-tips/ Hope this helps!
Ailuran
Thank you for the flirt pole ideas. I’ve thought of trying a kong toy filled with peanut butter to get Sandy used to the idea of chasing it even if I have to start by dragging it on the ground while she licks it but haven’t tried it yet.Sandy has a very low prey drive surprisingly being husky,shepard, pit. She mainly loves to run and probably would do well pulling a weight. The closest thing she has to a prey drive is a domenance issue which we have to watch out for as she has drawn blood on Captain more than once. Funny thing is she bites and releases leaving a puncture bite but doesn’t seem to be trying to really hurt him.
The dog with the over active prey drive is the only purebred of the group the chihuahua Loki here is a pic, in the pic Loki is playing with his flirt pole but it got tangled his spring pole lol https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/143cf5b3074211dd8bec23798049ca33dd5689937f8fa2cb63e98f7208df989d.jpg