Spring Pole/Flirt Pole

I couldnt find a post I had put up earlier, so sorry for posting again.

Brutus is now 13 months and I am wantingto try and give hima little more exercise. We have kept it pretty straight forward to date, two 30-45 mins walk a day with a little agility work. Running through tunnels and in and out of poles etc. I was thinking of getting him on to a spring or flirt pole.

He loves a game of tug-of-war, and as such, we have taught him to drop on command so that we are always in control. What are the general thoughts on a spring pole and this changing his ability to not let go? Also, would a fixed spring at his head hieght with the tug rope be a good alternative instead of the traditional spring pole until he is a little older?

Finally, does anyone think that the use of a spring pole or flirt pole changes the dogs mentality. Possibly a hotly debated topic, but any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

I think spring pole setups are brilliant as long as its only the dogs front legs off the floor obviously ... I have set up loads of differant ones for Max, but he just wont play with it unless I'm there aswell shaking it ... he lose's interest with it otherwise

Flirt poles are Max's thing, cus as much as his prey drive takes over, he just loves interaction bless him

At 13mths, and already trained to release, I wouldnt worry too much about him hangin on, if he enjoys playing with a springpole by himself, and its a good safe setup, then leave him to it I say ... just keep on with the seperate release commands away from the sprinpole, but when he's on the pole leave him to enjoy it

Hi Andy,

Thanks for the feedback. Do you happen to have a design of your spring pole with approx heights that I could use?

Cheers.

I didn't introduce a springpole to the boys until Harvey was 18 months but ours is indoors we don't have any room outside for it

brutusindubai wrote:Hi Andy,

Thanks for the feedback. Do you happen to have a design of your spring pole with approx heights that I could use?

Cheers.

Soz mate missed this ... I dont have one up at the mo cus he isnt too bothered with them or I'd take a pic, but i'm lucky in that I have trees in the garden I can tie to so no design's as such, cus I can literally tie some old climbing rope over a tree bow, with a lure on the end, and tad-daaaaaa!!

Using "dynamic" climbing rope (stretches), and flex in the tree, means I dont really need a spring as such, but I think Ella has a proper spring set up indoor (?)

As for height, you'll just need to give it a go, and make sure that he can only reach it with his front legs off the floor, he dosent have to be standing upright or anything to reach it, but once he's on it with his weight baring down, his front feet need to be a foot or so off the ground

At first, dont just let him tire himself out on it, it'll be way too much for him!! ... short sessions, get his interest in it .. and hang it up after each session, so he dosent have access to it all the time

Oh, and it must be strong!!! .. if you cant hang on to it bouncing up and down, then its not strong enough!! .. simples