Flirt pole?
I know these have come up in conversation here before, and I'm curious: does anyone here use a flirt pole with their Corgi?
A flirt pole is a tool often used for training/working terriers or schutzhund dogs and the like. I guess it has a bit of a bad rap in some circles because some game dog/fighting dog people use them, but that's really neither here nor there.
Basically, it's like one of those cat fishing poles, but sturdier for dogs. What got me thinking is I got a cheap dollar store fishing pole for the kitten, and when I started dragging it around the house Jack was on it like a mad dog! My gosh, he adores it and now Maddie's caught on to the fun as well. Problem is it isn't made to hold up to a dog's strength, and so as soon as they grab it I need to use "leave it" on them (thank goodness they've both got a great "leave it" or the thing would be in pieces by now). Needless to say, I don't want to frustrate my dogs by making them let go just when the catch it.
They like to run and pounce and hop in the air for it just like the cats do (well, they are much more eager then the cat, to be honest).
My concern is the Corgi body-structure. I know terrier people and GSD people and the like use them a lot without injury, but of course with Corgis you are meant to be careful of jumping and I would hate for them to twist funny and put their backs out.
Anyone here use them? Any feedback, precautions, etc? You can get a really good one online for $25 or so, and it seems like it could be a good investment, especially with the long dark winter coming fast.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Beth on
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Thanks, that's the sort of feedback I'm looking for. They like to pounce along after the cat toy I have. My concern is that cats are built for pouncing (back ends heavier than front ends, back ends higher than front ends, extremely flexible joints). Dogs are not really built for pouncing. The handful of small terrier breeds that are still bred to do ratting work are built very cat-like (they look wiry, they're not loaded up in the front end, some of them are even a bit high in the rear). But a Corgi is especially massive in front compared to the rear and I'm not sure the pouncing and twisting is good for them.
On the other hand, they run and dive on stuff all the time anyway. I'm still pondering the pros and cons. Thanks for the info, and I hope Tilda is doing ok!
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Permalink Reply by Rachael & Waffle on
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I bought a cat toy for my cats and it instantly became a dog toy. I bought a pretty sturdy one and let Waffle jump to his heart's content, and Waffle is stupidly long for a Corgi. He jumps ALL THE TIME and I can't stop him, he twists in the air, he does everything he's not supposed to do... and keeps doing it. Waffle is built exceptionally well though and I feel like he's never going to ruin his poor back. He loves it. Even if it's on the ground, he'll jump and pounce and generally get airborne. It's ridiculous. But yeah, Waffle loves it and when this one breaks, I don't know what I'm going to do. :0
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Permalink Reply by Julia on
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Stupidly long, but built exceptionally well? Sounds like a contradictory corgi to me :) And he does what he's not supposed to? I recall being told when Lil was a pup that she was not to jump off the furniture. She didn't listen either.
But, really, are they long, or just short?
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He's very long, but he has great support from his ribs! It's my understanding that length isn't what causes back injuries more so than lack of support. He gets tackled right in the side, he twists and contorts in the air, he jumps off couches and rocks and stands up on his hind legs and dances... all this stuff that you'd think would injure him, and it doesn't. I always get a twinge of concern when I see Waffle jump off something, because his butt will go right on top of his head and it always looks like he's about to do a flip butt-first.
But no, Waffle is one of the longest corgis I've seen (topped only by his brother). His hips begin where many corgis' hips end.
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