swinging off tree for exercise

just wondering if anyone else uses this to keep theyre staffy fit

i hang his lead round the branch of a tree, loop it through a rubber ring or piece of rope and choke it back up to the tree branch. i hang it at about a few feet off the ground so his back legs easily touch the ground (as hes only a young 'un) then let him jump and swing off it. when he gets hold he really rags it about and enjoys it, tiring himself out in the process. I do this daily after ive walked him, i find on these dark nights its a good way of him getting the exercise he needs.

A few people walk past and look at me disapprovingly, asif im training him to fight or something. I think im just using something which is in his nature to keep him fit, he lets go on the 'no' command and wont jump for it again until i say so. To me its as natural as a labrador fetching a ball, its just in his nature. Whats everyones views?

My veiw is that it is teaching the dog to grab onto something and not let go, which can be dangerous esp if (and im not saying your dog would) they ever went for a person or a larger animal then their jaws would have the strength to hold on. I personally prefer balls and walking/jogging with my dog. Shes never been one for playing with toys though so she has never played tug or fetched, but she chases the ball once then runs away with it.

I don't use it as exercise, but sometimes Saxon will run up and attack a tree (usually a fir tree, they are his favorites) and hang off of it. I don't know why he loves doing it so much!

What you are describing sounds like a make shift Spring Pole which is a very common exercise for Bully Breeds in the US. I've never used it, but the dogs seem to enjoy it!

Whilst it's good excercise for an adult staff, it isn't good for a young 'un. You could end up damaging his tendons. I personally wouldn't introduce this a)until he's at least 18 months old and b)until you've taught him a very strong 'leave' command!

Also, although I'd have no problem with a spring pole, or something hanging from a tree or pole in your garden, doing something like that in public will give the wrong impression, I'm afraid. Staffs have a bad enough press without people seeing this.

We know that it's good excercise for a staff, but the general public don't see it like that.

Not personaly, and I really don't like the idea. I looked into spring poles, and its just my opinion but I don't like them. Used properly I get what there for and understand that it is good exersize, just not for me I'm affraid Xx

if you going to do that type of thing make sure the back legs touching the ground becasue you dont want £1,000s vet bills

dont worry he knows when to leave i can call him from 50 yards and he will leave it instantly. never have him hanging his back feet always touch the ground firmly, id read about the swing poles and thought id make my own :0)

Just like to vary his exercise so its interesting for him, just a walk sometimes wont do.

I have a spring pole for mine but 10 months is too young. You do need to be in control and it is not for every dog or every dog owner. It is better if you have some sort of spring involved as it is not so jarring on the dog either. My dog gets lots of other excersise so he only wants to use the spring pole on occasion. I think you should start with a light flirt pole or light tug before moving on. You should be good to go somewhere around 18 months for the spring pole but that should be done as you say with back legs on the ground and the ability to bounce the front legs onto the ground as well. It is a bit controversial and I advocate doing it in private so your dog doesn't get a stigma in the neighborhood. I do mine out back or in the garage. I wouldn't do it out front where we can be publically observed. It isn't worth the potential for people thinking your dog is dangerous or that you support dog fighting (the things people think are often wrong). Great looking boy!

derbystaff wrote:dont worry he knows when to leave i can call him from 50 yards and he will leave it instantly. never have him hanging his back feet always touch the ground firmly, id read about the swing poles and thought id make my own :0)

Just like to vary his exercise so its interesting for him, just a walk sometimes wont do.

He is, at the moment, far too young. You'll damage his tendons.

trees are being ruined and dying and people are complaining because they know its staffies that ae doing it. its not helping the breed by letting them do this and why do they need that kind of exercise. not meant to berate you just my opinion

i never let him hang straight off the tree im a big tree lover ><

i hear everyones point about him being too young though, so ill stop it for a good few months. thanks for the advice people

Until recently, I worked at a Veterinary Practice. We had a couple of cases whereby someone had taught his staffy to jump into a tree for fun, as a game and exercise, hang off branches etc. One was a young'un and one a little older. Both had serious hip damage and it cost the owners hundreds of pounds to even get a diagnosis, let alone specialist treatment. Once a dogs hips go, (hip dysplasia), the dog would be extremely hard to insure (of at all) and will have the condition for life, ultimately sentencing it to an early grave. No mater how much fun your dog has doing this, for his own sake, stop it. You won't be doing him any favours in the long run by keep allowing him to do this.

Hope the advice helps x

some dogs hips will go merielh, i doubt u can put that all down to them swinging off a tree. i think if carried out correctly it can be a good way of exercising you're dog, after all its basically what staffies were bred for in the first place...i just think you should work them to their strengths?

i dont see how this exercise. i dont mean to sound as though i am having a go but what is the benefits of this kind of exercise. surely the usual walking running and playing is good enough and all they need.

its a case of each to their own i suppose Julie. Its a more intense exercise than a normal walk or run can provide, whether you like it or not a staff was bred to hang off a bull and not let go, so what exercise is more suited to a staff than this?. Its as natural to a staffy as retrieving a ball is to a labrador retriever or working a fox from a hole is to jack russel terrier. I love the walking running biking etc i just like a good variety thats all. if my dog was responding negatively to it or if i felt i wasnt totally in control of him I wouldnt do it. Turns out i wont do it for a fair few months now anyway after advice recieved above

bbimson wrote:I have a spring pole for mine but 10 months is too young. You do need to be in control and it is not for every dog or every dog owner. It is better if you have some sort of spring involved as it is not so jarring on the dog either. My dog gets lots of other excersise so he only wants to use the spring pole on occasion. I think you should start with a light flirt pole or light tug before moving on. You should be good to go somewhere around 18 months for the spring pole but that should be done as you say with back legs on the ground and the ability to bounce the front legs onto the ground as well. It is a bit controversial and I advocate doing it in private so your dog doesn't get a stigma in the neighborhood. I do mine out back or in the garage. I wouldn't do it out front where we can be publically observed. It isn't worth the potential for people thinking your dog is dangerous or that you support dog fighting (the things people think are often wrong). Great looking boy!

Totally agree. We don't use one for Suki but only because we don't have the room. They are great for exercise on occasion but your's is too young. Thier bodies are not fully devolped until 18-24 months. This type of exercise, running on concrete, weight pulling or backpacking places alot of strain on ligaments, tendons and the skeletal system as a whole. Placing this strain on their bodies prior to being fully devolped can cause numerous health problems later in life.

Think of it like having a 8 year old boy lift heavy weights everyday and the damage that would causse later in life. So great exercise but please wait a bit and start off slow. I know you already said that you would wait I just wanted to explain why in my own little way. I plan on doing all of this with Suki but she is only 14 months so still too young. I do play tug with her everyday though.

_julie_ wrote:i dont see how this exercise. i dont mean to sound as though i am having a go but what is the benefits of this kind of exercise. surely the usual walking running and playing is good enough and all they need.

This type of exercise is like many other more intense exercises. It gives them a more robust workout that builds muscle (if you look at my dog you will notice that he kinda looks like a body builder and no he doesn't compete but it has helped him in the show ring - earned him Ch. status at least with build being one thing he gets great marks for). I am not arguing that this is for every dog or ever person, but mine really enjoys a good workout now and then. This is not instead of walking/jogging/running, ball or tug (he gets all of the above daily). It is a suppliment to the other exercise when the dog has high drive and is a bit higher energy. It helps them not only get a good workout, but is very mentally stimulating for them. Hope that helps (but like I said it isn't for every dog or every dog owner)!

I cant see a problem as long as their back feet are on the ground, which you have already said they are , tho I absolutly dont agree with it when you see them hanging a foot or two off the ground, thats just asking for all sorts of trouble!

I tried it with Max, but he lost interest pretty quickly

derbystaff wrote:its a case of each to their own i suppose Julie.

i totaly agree with you I wasnt having a pop just wanted to know why its considered a staffy thing and what exercie they got. you never find out anything ubnless you ask do you

_julie_ wrote:trees are being ruined and dying and people are complaining because they know its staffies that ae doing it. its not helping the breed by letting them do this and why do they need that kind of exercise. not meant to berate you just my opinion

Yes ive seen that too in my local paper pics of not so happy people standing against a damaged tree so if your going to incourage it I would invest in a flirt pole and by the way I know a lot of people who have staffords and they swear by them

Personally i dont see a problem with it as long as the owners being responsible about it, Id love a springpole for my two. i know stanlie would deffo love it.

bbimson wrote:

_julie_ wrote:i dont see how this exercise. i dont mean to sound as though i am having a go but what is the benefits of this kind of exercise. surely the usual walking running and playing is good enough and all they need.

This type of exercise is like many other more intense exercises. It gives them a more robust workout that builds muscle (if you look at my dog you will notice that he kinda looks like a body builder and no he doesn't compete but it has helped him in the show ring - earned him Ch. status at least with build being one thing he gets great marks for). I am not arguing that this is for every dog or ever person, but mine really enjoys a good workout now and then. This is not instead of walking/jogging/running, ball or tug (he gets all of the above daily). It is a suppliment to the other exercise when the dog has high drive and is a bit higher energy. It helps them not only get a good workout, but is very mentally stimulating for them. Hope that helps (but like I said it isn't for every dog or every dog owner)!

Oh I didnt know your boy is a champ Ben congratulations mine is too its a wonderful acheivement

im definately going to look into a springpole/flirtpole it would be a worth while investment... anybody know if they are they free standing and moveable or do you fix it to the wall in a permanent position ?

As an educated guess they must be fixed , staffy vs unfixed object, outcome, well??!!

Can be fixed too the wall or freestanding has too be sturdy thou.

Go on google and type springpole in you will see the diff ones