Flirt Pole
Pause think then act.
What
A flirt pole is a long pole with a rope and a toy at the end. You can think of it as a giant cat toy for Dogs.
Flirt pole training involves harnessing your dog's natural prey drive and desire to chase the moving toy while teaching the dog to control its movements and actions while focusing on you.
A flirt pole is an easy way to exercise a high-energy dog at home and is also an excellent release for dogs that like to chase and stalk other animals or objects. Allowing your dog to express its normal behaviours in a safe environment can reduce the instances of them trying to do so at inappropriate times and places.
Before you use a flirt pole, it’s a good idea to teach your dog to Drop or let go.
Benefits
- It helps tire your dog out without exhausting you
- It’s a great tool to teach impulse control in dogs.
- It can help manage, control and redirect the chase reflex in some dogs
- It teaches the dog to listen to you in a high arousal state.
Risks
- Jumping and sudden turns can damage the development of joints in young dogs. (advisable for two years old and above)
- If used improperly, it can result in neck injuries (keep the lure low to the ground or at the dog's height).
- It can be overstimulating for some dogs
- Poorly made flirt poles can hurt you and your dog.
How
- Build enthusiasm for the toy at the end of the flirt pole by playing tug or keeping away from it. For more help, check out this great link by Susan Garrett on how to create motivation for a toy.
- Ask your dog for a desired Hold (Sit, stay, down, eye contact, etc.)
- Bring out the flirt pole and use a Release cue (Get it, catch, On etc.)
- Drag the toy just out of reach of your dog. Keep it low to the ground in straight swooping motions to prevent jumping and avoid sharp or sudden turns.
- Allow your dog to chase the toy and then finally catch it. The level of difficulty will depend on your dog's engagement.
- Once the dog has the toy, allow them to chew on it for a few seconds, then ask them to drop it.
- When the dog releases the toy Mark and reward then repeat from step 2.
- When your dog gets good at the game and reliably holds its focus, start waving the toy in front of it a little before giving it the release cue to build focus on you and impulse control. If the dog breaks position, remove the toy from in front of it. Stop for a few seconds, and then go back to step 2.
Here are some videos from trainers around the world.
