The Flirt Pole: a dog's new best friend..

Understandably, most people have never heard the term "flirt pole" before.  Flirt poles actually started with the felines. Yes, cats.  You know those skinny poles that have a dancing toy on the bottom that entices prey-driven kitties to chase, jump, attack, lunge and stalk? All those things that are so important for a cat to be able to engage in, even though they may live inside?

Well, all of those things are important in a dog's world, too! Humans like to be in control of these things (with good reason), so instead of letting a dog go free to chase, jump, attack, lunge and stalk everything that moves, we give a proper outlet.  This will work for ANY dog owner, big or small, plump or skinny, fast or slow.  Follow the ridiculously dummy-proof instructions below for a 5 minute, beyond priceless tool for you and your dogs.

**AWESOME ALERT: This flirt pole, if bought NEW, will cost you max $4 at the dollar store.  You can fancy it up of course, but there's no need. Dogs don't care. :) **


YOU WILL NEED:

Your dog's favorite toy; the bone toy was from the dollar store, the sock is out of my drawer and the fox is out of  the dog toy bin. Any will work, but use something your dog loves!

A skinny leash from the dollar store - this one is a small dog 3 foot leash which seems to work pretty well and be the right length for control.

Dollar store broom - preferably the one with the hole in the top of the handle as shown below: 

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STEP ONE: Take broom head off of the broom.

STEP TWO: Feed loop end of leash through broom handle hole.

STEP THREE: Pull leash all the way through until the metal clasp is near the broom handle.

STEP FOUR: Feed metal clasp through the loop handle of the leash. 

STEP FIVE: Pull metal clasp completely through until it looks like this:

STEP SIX: Use clasp end to wrap around your dog's favorite toy.

STEP SEVEN: Clip metal clasp to itself.

STEP EIGHT: Tighten against the dog toy until it's secure.

 STEP NINE: GO OUTSIDE! To increase your dog's excitement and suspension, do command work before you allow him to play with his new awesome toy!  Tucker demonstrates a down-stay for the camera.

STEP TEN: Tired pup.





There you have it, folks.  An exercise tool that exhausts your dog while you stay in the same spot.  You don't have to take your border collie on a 5 mile hike to exercise him anymore ... just think like a rabbit and your toy on the end of the leash will be more than happy to oblige.


Want to see it in action? Click the link below to see Reggie (and Ninja Gracie!) with the flirt pole:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=720926735604&l=5367047223550048008
Happy Flirtpoling!!

The End of the Past, the Start of a New Beginning

Meet Tucker - formerly Mr. Wiggles.  This boy (and his sister) were taken in a cruelty/abuse case in North Carolina.  I have not fully found out the details of the case, but regardless, him and his sister are now in Carolina Care Bullies foster program and learning how to live the good life.  Tucker was a fantastic passenger during transport and wanted to just lay/sit/collapse every second that he could once out of the car.  When you open the bedroom door, he doesn't even try to get out, he's just so ecstatic that you are in his presence that he couldn't care less about what's outside.  His love has no boundaries and his complete and unwavering eye contact 6 inches from yours says, "Please, please, please don't ever stop loving me".

It's an amazing feeling to literally be a dog's world.  How easily a person can shatter that, especially when a dog is young..

Last night, Tucker saw himself in the storm door.  Like most dogs, a dog staring back at them from 10 feet away means, "Hey, you wanna piece of me?!"  Hackles raised, Tucker uttered a few short barks, "Hey dog with a staring problem, get away from my people and my door!".  Like we do with all of our fosters, I get up to walk to the door with him to show him all is okay.  He didn't follow me (flag #1 since he's my shadow) and while I stood at the door, I made a "come here" motion with my hand as I said, "Come see buddy!"  He immediately tightly tucked his tail between his legs, flattened his body to the ground and slinked to the corner where he quickly pushed his face into the corner of the wall.  When we went to get him, he just needed a few pats and he was back to his lovey self.  Earlier this morning, I tried to show Tucker the window where all my dogs get to watch the world go by outside and when I patted the windowsill next to me, he flattened his body and ducked his head under the bed to hide.

We'll never know exactly what Tucker grew up around, but we do know that he's in a good place and will get all the love, support and boundaries that he should have had from the start.  Here's to new beginnings Tucker!!! And don't worry, we won't ever stop loving you :)