How to Tire Out Your Dog and Teach Them to Calm Down: Using a Flirt Pole
- Mar 24
- 2 min read
Play isn’t just play—it’s an opportunity to build real calm!
What Is a Flirt Pole? how to tire out dog
A flirt pole is one of my favorite tools for high-energy dogs.
It’s basically a long pole with a rope and toy attached to the end, kind of like a giant cat toy, but for dogs. It taps into natural behaviors like:
chasing
grabbing
moving their body
And it’s an amazing way to burn energy quickly. If you have a dog that seems like they could go forever, this can make a big difference in a short amount of time.
But the real benefit isn’t just the exercise. A lot of people use a flirt pole like this:
Dog chases → dog grabs → repeat until they’re tired
And that does burn energy! But for some dogs, it actually leaves them more amped up than before... more mouthy, more frantic, harder to settle. Not because the tool is the problem, but because there’s no structure around it! You also don't want to always let your dog capture the end of it, and you don't want to make it too challenging so that they never capture the end of it. You have to balance it out.
Turning Play into Something that Actually Builds Calm
Instead of solely thinking of it as 'tiring out your dog' and just letting them go non-stop, you can use the flirt pole as a way to teach them something while they’re excited. This might look like:
asking for a “wait” before you start
pausing the game in the middle
cueing a “drop”
letting them re-engage through you
It doesn’t have to be complicated. The new pattern is simple:
Start → Pause → Re-engage
In the video above, I ask the dog for a quick 'place' cue and immediately release back to the toy.
When you build pauses into play, you’re showing your dog:
how to take a break, even when they’re having fun
how to check back in with you
how to shift out of that high-energy state
Over time, that carries over into real life. You start to see a dog who can:
settle faster after play
make better choices when they’re excited
not stay “stuck” in that go-go-go mode
Flirt poles are one of the easiest ways to meet your dog’s need for movement and play. And when you add even a little bit of structure, they become so much more than just exercise!
🐾 Want to Try it?!
If you’re looking for a simple way to start, this is the flirt pole I like to recommend:
If you try this with your dog, I’d love to hear how it goes!
Helping Dogs and Their People Feel More Confident
I work with families on Long Island and also support dog owners virtually, so no matter where you’re located, you don’t have to navigate puppy challenges alone.
Whether you’re starting fresh with a new puppy or working through specific challenges, I’m here to help!
📧 Email: pamela@embarkdogsli.com
🌐 Website: www.embarkdogsli.com
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