How to use a flirt pole safely with your dog

What it does for your dog

• Gives the chase instinct a safe, controlled outlet.
• Uses a lot of energy in a short time.
• Builds impulse control when you add "wait" and "drop" rules.
• Lets you play with a fast dog without throwing anything.

Which dogs and situations it suits

A flirt pole suits healthy adult dogs with a strong chase drive, such as terriers, herding breeds and many working dogs, who are already fit enough for short bursts of activity.

It is not suitable for puppies whose joints are still developing, seniors, dogs with joint, back or heart problems, dogs recovering from injury or surgery, overweight dogs, or breeds prone to back problems such as Dachshunds. If in doubt, ask your vet first.

What you need

• A flirt pole made for dogs, with a durable lure
• A flat, grassy area with good grip (not concrete or slippery floors)
• Treats for rewarding "wait" and "drop"

How to do it

Preparation

1. Check the ground for holes, sticks and slippery patches.
2. Warm your dog up with a few minutes of walking.
3. Make sure your dog already knows, or is learning, "wait" and "drop".

Step by step

1. 1Ask your dog to sit or wait. Hold the lure still on the ground.
2. 2Release them with a cue like "get it" and move the lure slowly in a wide circle, low along the ground.
3. 3Let them catch it often, roughly every third or fourth pass, so the game stays rewarding rather than frustrating.
4. 4When they catch it, let them tug briefly, then ask for "drop". Hold the pole still until they let go, then reward.
5. 5Ask for a wait before every restart.
6. 6Play for a few minutes only, then finish with a calm activity like a sniff around the yard or a lick mat.

Make it easier or harder

Beginner version

• Move the lure slowly and keep it low.
• Let them catch it more often.
• Keep sessions to two or three minutes.

Advanced variations

• Add longer waits before release.
• Practise "drop" mid-chase, then release them again.
• Mix in direction changes, but keep them gentle and wide.

For puppies

Skip the flirt pole for puppies. Fast turns and stops can be hard on growing joints. Use gentle tug and scent games instead, and ask your vet when your dog is old enough.

For senior dogs and dogs with mobility issues

Older dogs and dogs with mobility issues should skip flirt pole games. Try scent work or a snuffle mat for low-impact enrichment.

Supervision and safety

• Keep the lure on the ground. Never swing it up so your dog jumps, twists or lands awkwardly.
• Move in wide, smooth circles rather than sharp zigzags.
• Play on grass, not concrete, tiles or floorboards.
• Keep sessions short and stop at the first sign of limping, heavy panting or frantic behaviour.
• Don't play in hot weather, and offer water afterwards.
• Store the flirt pole out of reach. It is not a toy to leave lying around.

Common mistakes

• Swinging the lure high so the dog leaps.
• Never letting the dog catch it.
• Playing too long, until the dog is over-excited.
• Skipping the "wait" and "drop" rules.