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For all of you that don’t know what a flirt pole is, it resembles a fishing pole, in that it has a stick with a string and a bait at the end. This invaluable tool is a great way to train and exercise your Pit Bull. The best part about this tool is that it can be used on any dog of any training level. I find that it is especially good for working out puppies and increasing their prey drive.

If you don’t currently have a flirt pole, they are quite simple to make. You can go to a local farm supply or horse tack dealer and buy a lunge whip. Then take a old dish rag or burlap sack and attach it too the end of the line. If you find your self needing more weight on the end of the line, feel free to poke a hole in a tennis ball and tread it below or above the rag.

You don’t have to use a lunge pole, I currently am using a fiberglass tent pole that has a cord run through the middle of it. I have also used PVC pipe and Bamboo, there is no reason that a flirt pole needs to be expensive. Look at what you already have laying around, you could also use a branch from a tree. Just don’t use any metal on the line or near the bait, metal can potentially cause harm to dogs teeth. Also I normally use cotton line, I would avoid anything that you wouldn’t want your dog to chew on.

Once you have the flirt pole created, the next thing to do is get the dog and go outside. It is best to play with the flirt pole over dirt or grass. Concrete could be bad for the pads of your dogs feet especially if he likes to jump.

Once your in an open area, bait the dog with the flirt pole generally the dog will use his natural prey drive in an attempt to grab the bait. If your dog doesn’t just start going after the bait, you may have to play with the bait in front of him so to increase his desire to grab it.

When your dog shows interest in the bait start playing a game of keep away. Occasionally let the dog grab the bait, this is a good time to work on your release command. If you don’t let the dog occasionally get the bait he may lose interest in it.

At first it is best to start with the bait on the ground. Once your dog is old enough and has developed athletically you can start making them jump. Also, it is important to initially keep the sessions short so that you don’t over work your dog. I find that even the most active of dogs tires out after 20 or 30 minutes with the flirt pole.

The flirt pole can be an excellent tool to develop coordination and agility in your pit bulls, as well as a great way to have fun and exercise them well.