Tough Flirt Poles - Any Suggestions? - Page 1

Let me start off by saying that in the past, I had made my own flirt pole...and failed miserably. I realize that the dog isn't supposed to "hang" from the darn thing, but it seems like unless I used a shovel handle (spade removed of course!) my dogs would snap it like a twig.

I am looking into purchasing (NOT making one!) that is tough, and tested for an ungodly strong pitbull and soon, a GSD pup. I have no experience with fiberglass poles, like I said, I had made one out of paracord, leather bite rag, and a shovel handle, that was tough and none of the dogs I had at the time were strong enough to snap it, should they have gotten ahold of it while we played. 

I would like to buy from a known company, but I'm not sure really where to look. I've Googled and of course, tons popped up, but I want people's honest experiences with the one(s) they had/have, and how strong/flexable they truly are.

Thanks for any experiences you can share with me, and heck, if you can provide links where to buy the poles, all the better!

I say make your own but ....lol...not like you made your first one..haha.

Buy a horse lounge whip.  It doesn't have to be the super long one.  Short size, long thick rope and leather tassle's at the end.  I got a leather rag from leerburg, cut off the nylon string attached and duct taped it to the tassles at the end of the lounge whip.  I'll try and take a pic.

It will last longer and better than what you can buy.  Plus durable to be able to use on puppies as well as adult dogs.

Thanks Ace, yeah, that wooden handle, was heavy as $hit...I built great arm strength though. 

I'm not really what one would call 'handy' as far as building, thank goodness I have my husband for that!

Frankly, I loved the one I had made, but lost it in a fire, otherwise I would probably still have it.

Yes, I'd love a picture, please and thank you!

lunge whips

http://tsc.tractorsupply.com/nav/cat2/equine_horsetraining/0

Here's an excellent video of a trainer using a flirt pole:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3XrKkrAZpY 

You can see how similar it is to a lunge whip, except the whip is longer.

I wish I could master the knack of embedding videos. Anyone want to give me a lesson?
 

I've heard of the use of Lunge Whips before, for Flirt Poles. I just don't know how strong/flexable they are; because if I'm a little too slow and my big girl (pit bull) would get ahold of the lure before I could get her to release it, I wouldn't want it snapping on me.

Thanks Ace, yeah, that wooden handle, was heavy as $hit...I built great arm strength though.

There are better ways to build up the arm strength. 
I'm jus sayin'....

The horse lounge whips are made out of fiberglass I believe and are strong enough so no need to worry.  Call ahead to any local feed store and ask for it and ask if they have the fiberglass ones so you don't waste time and gas.

Here is the leather rag that I use.
http://leerburg.com/784.htm
The dog can't sink it's teeth into but rather has to have a good strong grip.

They also make one out of Jute
http://leerburg.com/BW100.htm


Below are the pics of the flirt pole.

Hahaha, yes, the whole 'Work smarter, not harder' adage!

Great to know they actually work; as mentioned, no experience with fiberglass.

Thanks again everyone, and thanks Ace for the pictures!

U.S. Whip Stock Whip 50 in. Shaft and 18 in. Drop with Plastic Handle

I use this one, with a leather attached to the end.. its a little shorter and takes less coordination on my part......

http://www.tractorsupply.com/u-s-whip-stock-whip-50-in-shaft-and-18-in-drop-with-plastic-handle-5059177