Making a DIY flirt pole for your dog is a fun and easy project that can provide hours of entertainment for both you and your furry friend. You'll need a sturdy rod, a rope or twine, and a toy or lure.
The length of the rod will depend on the size of your dog and the type of play you want to do. A good rule of thumb is to start with a rod that's at least 5 feet long.
With a DIY flirt pole, you can engage your dog's natural prey drive and encourage exercise and mental stimulation. This can be especially helpful for high-energy breeds or dogs that need to burn off excess energy.
You might like: What Is a Flirt Pole for Dogs
Benefits and Uses
A flirt pole is a great way to get your dog some exercise, and it's not just about physical activity. Promotes physical activity, mental stimulation, and engagement.
Using a flirt pole is a super exercise for your dog, but it's actually way more fun for them than it is for you. It's a wonderful way to expend energy without feeling like you've run a marathon yourself.
A flirt pole is also great for small areas or when the weather doesn't allow you to do other activities. It improves coordination for both you and your dog as you play and adapt to each other's moves.
You can use a flirt pole to teach impulse control by inserting pauses during play and practicing waits and stays. This will help your dog learn to control their impulses and respond to commands.
A flirt pole allows your dog to chase something at high speed while staying close to you. This is perfect for dogs who love to do "dog stuff" but also need to exercise with their owners.
Here are some benefits of using a flirt pole:
- Promotes physical activity, mental stimulation and, most importantly, engagement.
- Super exercise. It’s way more work for your dog than you, so it’s a wonderful way to expend energy without feeling like you ran a marathon yourself.
- Great for small areas, or when the weather does not allow you to do other activities
- You can use it to teach impulse control.
- The dog gets to chase something at high speed but also stays close to you.
Just remember to use a flirt pole with dogs in good physical condition, and avoid using it with dogs who are obese, have joint problems, or have a heart condition.
Exercise & Fun
You can have fun with your dog using a DIY flirt pole, and it's especially great for rainy days when you can't go outside. A flirt pole is a fantastic way to burn off energy in a small space, making it perfect for townhomes or smaller houses.
In our experience, it's generally much more difficult to find fun activities inside for your dog, so we love having various options. A flirt pole makes a great option since you can burn off some energy even in a small space!
To make your DIY flirt pole, you can use materials like rope, screw eye, fleece fabric, and a wood dowel. If you want to add some color, you can paint it with acrylic paint.
Some basic moves you can try with your flirt pole include swinging it around and dragging the toy lure on the ground, snapping or flicking the pole to cause the toy to change direction suddenly, and swinging or flicking the pole higher in the air to entice your dog to jump and catch the toy.
If you have a high play or food drive pup, it's much easier to entertain them with a flirt pole. You can also store the toy out of reach of your pup and remove it before they quit to keep them excited to play.
For your interest: Tug of War Toy for Dogs
How to Make and Use
To make a DIY flirt pole, you'll want to start with a sturdy pole and a flexible lure. The length of the pole can vary, but it's essential to be mindful of not hitting your dog with it, especially if it's longer.
You can use a variety of materials for the lure, such as a toy or even a piece of food. Try moving the lure erratically, like it's prey, to stimulate your dog's natural instincts.
Here are some general tips to keep in mind:
- Start in a safe space with plenty of room for your dog to move around.
- Introduce the lure and start moving it around on the ground to catch your dog's attention.
- Experiment with different movements, such as holding it up to get your dog to jump or moving it in circles.
- Remember to periodically allow your dog to catch the lure to keep them engaged.
Make sure to have fun and keep the experience positive for your dog. If you're getting frustrated or your dog isn't feeling it, store the flirt pole and try again later.
What Is a Flirt Pole?
A Flirt Pole is a fun and versatile prop used in dance and play. It's typically a long, lightweight pole with a handle on one end and a lure or attachment on the other.
The Flirt Pole is usually made of fiberglass or a similar lightweight material, which makes it easy to handle and maneuver.
This type of pole is designed to be used in a variety of ways, including as a prop for dance, acrobatics, and even as a tool for playing fetch with dogs.
The length of a Flirt Pole can vary, but it's often around 6 to 10 feet long, which makes it easy to swing and manipulate.
Flirt Poles can be used by people of all ages and skill levels, and they're a great way to get some exercise and have fun at the same time.
A Flirt Pole can be used in a variety of settings, from dance studios to backyards and parks.
Obedience Work
Obedience work is a great way to incorporate training into your dog's playtime with a flirt pole. You can practice commands like "leave it" and "get it" during playtime.
One pup, Goomba, has an extremely high play drive, so working in obedience work during his play sessions is great to help him understand what he's being asked to do.
Some great commands to practice during playtime are "sit" and "down", which can be worked in during whatever command you use as a release. Most pups could use a little additional impulse control work.
Working on obedience during high-reward activities like playtime with a flirt pole can help progress your dog's ability to disengage. This is especially helpful for pups like Goomba who have a strong prey drive.
If you need help with the learning process for your pup, check out the Puppr app, which makes learning new tricks a breeze.
Take a look at this: Dog Training Basic Obedience Lesson Plan
How to Make
To make a delicious homemade pizza, you'll need a crust made from a mixture of flour, yeast, salt, sugar, and olive oil.
Start by mixing 2 cups of warm water with 2 teaspoons of sugar and 1 teaspoon of active dry yeast, let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
Use a pizza stone or baking sheet to cook your pizza in the oven at 425°F for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
To make a flavorful homemade BBQ sauce, combine 1 cup of ketchup with 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika in a saucepan over medium heat.
Supplies Needed
To make a flirt pole, you'll need a few basic supplies. First, you'll need a PVC pipe or an old broom handle, which should be ½-¾” in diameter.
For the cord, you'll need 10-15 feet of 4mm cord, which can be cut to length at your local hardware store or REI.
A larger washer is also necessary to fit over the opening of your PVC pipe.
You'll also need some athletic tape for securing the cord in place.
A chew toy, rag, or other lure will serve as the attachment for the end of the cord.
Here's a quick rundown of the supplies you'll need:
- PVC pipe or old broom handle (½-¾” in diameter)
- 10-15 feet of 4mm cord
- Larger washer
- Athletic tape
- Chew toy, rag, or other lure
How to Use
To use a flirt pole, start in a space where your dog can safely be off-leash and has plenty of room to move around. This will give you and your dog the freedom to run around and play without any obstacles.
Introduce your dog to the lure and start moving it around on the ground. Once they take interest and begin chasing it, you can start to experiment with different movements.
To get your dog to jump, hold the flirt pole up high. You can also move it in circles, whip it back and forth, or try out other creative movements to keep your dog engaged.
Remember to periodically allow your dog to catch the lure. If there is no reward, they will begin to lose interest.
Here are some tips for using a flirt pole effectively:
Acting excited and trying to amp your dog up will also help a lot. Most dogs tend to have their prey drive stimulated when their DIY flirt pole moves like prey, so do your best to mimic random motions.
You might like: Canine Prey Drive
Tips and Advice
To make the most out of your DIY flirt pole, keep in mind that it's essential to catch your dog when they're playful or active, as they'll be more inclined to chase.
Be mindful of the pole's length, as it's easier to accidentally hit your dog with it, especially if it's longer. Try to move the lure erratically, mimicking random motions to stimulate your dog's prey drive.
To keep playtime positive, have fun and don't get frustrated if your dog isn't immediately interested. Store the flirt pole and try again later if needed.
A good space to use a flirt pole is one where your dog can be safely off-leash and has plenty of room to move around. Introduce the lure and start moving it around on the ground to capture your dog's interest.
To keep your dog engaged, hold the flirt pole up to get them to jump, move in circles, or whip it back and forth. Periodically allow your dog to catch the lure to prevent them from losing interest.
Rewarding your dog for catching the lure is crucial to maintaining their interest. You can also use the flirt pole as a tool for command training, such as teaching your dog to sit and stay before chasing the lure.
If your dog isn't interested in a toy lure, try using a food lure instead. This was a successful approach for one dog owner who used a hot dog to entice their dog to play.
Using a flirt pole can be a great way to help dogs with pent-up energy, as one dog owner noted. It's also a good idea to start with one dog at a time, especially if they have different levels of interest or motivation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a flirt pole be?
A flirt pole is typically 3-5 feet long, with smaller options available for indoor use.
How long should a dog flirt pole be?
A dog flirt pole is typically 3-5 feet long, with shorter options available for indoor use.
Sources
- Squishy Face Studio (squishyfacestudio.com)
- How to Make & Use a Flirt Pole (a Must ... (simpawtico-training.com)
- K9DIY: Make a flirt pole on the cheap - Team Unruly (wordpress.com)
- flirt pole (amzn.to)
- Valentine's Day DIY Flirt Pole – Interactive Dog Toy (ammothedachshund.com)
Featured Images: pexels.com