Game #8 · Health & Fitness
Flirt Pole Chase
Safely channels high prey drive and expends energy quickly.
- What you need:
- A flirt pole (a lunge whip style toy with a fleece lure at the end).
How to play
- Have your dog sit and stay while you hold the pole.
- Drag the lure along the ground in sudden, jerky movements away from them.
- Say "go get it" to release them to chase the lure.
- Let them catch it occasionally, practice "drop it," and reset.
Coach's notes
- Keep the lure on the ground — never lift it above shoulder height (twisting mid-air).
- Change direction every 2–3 seconds; straight sprints on turf tear cruciates.
- Two-minute intervals with a 60-second sit-and-drink break.
- Always end with a 'drop it' and a calm sit — teach a shut-off.
If your dog loses interest
Quick fixes when engagement drops mid-session.
- If your dog stares blankly, keep the lure on the ground moving away — never wave it at their face.
- Losing focus mid-game? End on a catch and a treat — always finish while they still want more.
- Puppies and senior dogs need slow, curved paths — sharp turns strain young joints and older hips.
Why it works
Structured prey-drive channeling reduces frustration-based reactivity in the same way controlled play interventions do in Rooney's applied-behavior studies.
References
- [7] Rooney, N. J., & Bradshaw, J. W. S. (2002). An experimental study of the effects of play upon the dog-human relationship. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 75, 161–176.
Which cognitive muscle is your dog's strongest?
Run the same science-based tasks from Duke in your living room and get your dog's full cognitive profile.