Original Article: https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/swiftpaws-flirt-pole-review

If you have a high-energy dog, finding an effective way to exercise them can be a challenge, especially if you have a small backyard or don’t have time for a long walk. While a few games of fetch can be helpful, most active pups need strenuous exercise to keep them happy and healthy. That’s where SwiftPaws’ Flirt Pole comes in.

SwiftPaws is a lifestyle brand that sells enrichment products for pets. They’re best known for their lure course kits (their Home Original kit was featured on Shark Tank and won!), but their newest and most cost-effective enrichment product is the Flirt Pole. Unlike their other lure games, which use an automated system, the Flirt Pole acts as a manual game of chase with you holding one end of the pole and your dog chasing the flag on the other end. The pole is adjustable and durable, and it only takes a few minutes to wear out your pup, making it ideal for all kinds of play.

If you’re looking for a fun way to get your furry friend dog-tired without having a workout of your own, the Flirt Pole is a product you’ll want to try out.

Overview

Our Experience

I’m always on the lookout for interactive toys for my dog, Micah, so when I heard about SwiftPaws’ Flirt Pole, I was excited to try it out. Even though Micah doesn’t have a crazy high prey drive (he’ll chase after a squirrel every now and then), he’s super high-energy, so anything that engages him mentally and physically is a win.

Before browsing SwiftPaws’ website, I’d never heard of a Flirt Pole or lure coursing so I wasn’t sure what to expect. But after using the product for a week, I love it. I use it all the time to play with Micah and it’s been a great way to tire him out. It’s super simple to use and Micah goes nuts for the bone flag every time he sees it.

One of the first things I noticed after taking it out of the box was how durable it was. The pole feels sturdy even when it’s fully extended and the handle grip on the end is perfect for holding onto. Micah loves the bone flag too. Flirt poles are typically designed to exercise a dog’s prey drive, but I think the biggest pull for Micah is that he loves soft toys. The bone flag is a soft, unstuffed toy that Micah loves to hold in his mouth, so when he sees it flying around on the end of the rope, he does everything he can to grab it.

Since Micah had never played with a flirt pole before, he had some warming up to do before he got the hang of it. After unboxing the product and attaching the bone to the rope, I held out the pole so the bone was hanging in front of him. He initially seemed confused and uninterested, but once I started moving the pole around, he was crouched down with his tail wagging ready to play.

When I first opened the product, I cleared a space in my living room and played with Micah inside. But after getting Micah familiar with the toy, we went outside to play. Micah is a larger dog and I don’t have a big space for him to run around inside (and once Micah gets hyped up, he can get a little wild), so playing outside was our best option. But if you have a smaller pup or a large living space, the Flirt Pole makes a great indoor toy.

Once outside, I could fully extend the pole, and this is when the real fun happened. At its full length, the pole is four feet, which gives Micah plenty of room to run around and allows me to pull the flag in different directions to make it more challenging for him.

Overall, this is a great game. I love watching Micah run, jump, and spin trying to catch the bone and Micah is always a tired, happy boy by the time we’re done playing.

Pros & Cons

Key Features

What to Expect

The Flirt Pole comes in a thin cardboard box with the bone flag wrapped around the pole. It’s pretty easy to assemble and only takes a few minutes to do. Simply thread the loop on the bone flag through the loop at the end of the pole and pull the bone through. After it’s securely knotted, it’s ready to use.

One of the best features of the pole is that it’s extendable. There’s a textured handle on one end for easy gripping and three clasps on the other to lengthen it. Each clasp extends the pole 16 inches and it lengthens up to 48 inches when fully extended. You can extend one section at a time if you’re in a smaller area or all three at the same time to reach its maximum length.

How to Play

This is a fun game for dogs who love to run, jump, and chase. It works like a carrot on a stick where you stand on one end of the pole holding the handle and your dog is on the opposite end with the bone flag. As you move the pole with your arm, your dog runs after the bone at the end of the rope.

No need to worry about the toy breaking either. The pole is well-made and designed to withstand the toughest play and the most active pups.

Contents

If you and your dog love the toy, you can purchase additional flags separately on SwiftPaws’ website. They have a Critter Pack, which has three soft fabric animals (a squirrel, a skunk, and a rabbit), and a bone flag that looks identical to the included bone flag without the fluffy outer lining.

About SwiftPaws

Is the Flirt Pole a Good Value?

The Flirt Pole is an affordable toy, but it’s on the higher end of the price range when looking at other flirt poles on the market. That said, it’s high-quality, durable, and a good option if you love the idea of a lure game, but don’t have the budget for one of SwiftPaws’ lure course kits. Plus, it’s a great way to bond with your pup since you get to play with the toy too. Overall, I’d say it’s a good value and worth investing in if you have an energetic dog who loves a game of chase.

How We Tested

I started out playing with Micah inside with the pole fully closed, but honestly, this is a great game to play outside. In an open area of grass with the pole fully extended, your dog can run hard and play hard to burn off energy and have a great time. I have a large grassy area in my yard that’s become our go-to spot because it gives Micah plenty of space to run around and I don’t have to worry about hitting anything with the pole. I also found that it doesn’t take long for Micah to get tired. In just 10 minutes, he’s wiped out and ready for a nap.

One thing that surprised me was how durable the pole is. When Micah catches the bone, he pulls hard and I’ve never been concerned about the pole breaking because it feels so sturdy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can the Flirt Pole be used with cats?

The Flirt Pole can be used with dogs and cats.

Are there any other colors or sizes?

The pole comes in one color and size. However, the length of the pole can be adjusted to suit your space and play style.

Does the Bone Flag have a squeaker?

The bone flag is made from high-quality, heavy-duty materials and does not have a squeaker.

Conclusion

SwiftPaws is dedicated to helping pets thrive with enrichment products that engage them mentally and physically. As a manual game of chase, the Flirt Pole is one of SwiftPaws’ most affordable products that provides intense physical exercise in a short amount of time. Packaged with a durable bone flag and built to last, this toy has everything you need to exercise your dog and have a great play session.

Source: Dogster