DIY Flirt Pole: A Budget-Friendly Toy to Engage Your Dog’s Inner Chaser

As a proud and passionate dog mom, I’m always on the lookout for new toys and activities that not only give Marlee a good workout but also fulfill her natural instincts. One of her biggest playtime needs? Chasing. And I don’t just mean chasing birds out of the yard—though she definitely loves that—but even something as simple as chasing me around brings her so much joy.

photocredit: cleanrun.com

That’s when I came across the flirt pole. If you haven’t heard of it, a flirt pole is basically a toy attached to a rope on a long pole—think a giant cat toy, but for dogs. On days when I don’t have the energy to sprint around the yard with her, a  flirt pole will allow Marlee to burn off energy, get in some cardio, and engage her mind—all without me having to do much more than stand in place and move the pole.

But here’s the best part: the flirt pole isn’t just for exercise. It’s also a great tool for training. It gives your dog a chance to practice impulse control, while also tapping into that instinctual drive to chase.

When I started looking for one online, I noticed that most flirt poles cost between $30–$40. And honestly, with Marlee’s strength, I wasn’t confident they’d hold up. I didn’t want to spend that much just to have it break in a week. So I did a little digging and found a way to make our own DIY flirt pole at home—for a fraction of the cost!

Here’s exactly what you’ll need and how to put it together:

 What You’ll Need:

• PVC Pipe I used a 2-foot piece, which cost just $3.50. You can go shorter or longer—just make sure it’s comfortable to hold and gives you enough room to create some movement.

• Paracord I picked up a 50-foot paracord that can withstand up to 150 pounds of pressure for about $7. The nice thing about getting a longer cord is that if part of it wears out or breaks, you’ve got extra on hand to replace it easily.

• Toy or Fabric I kept it simple and used some old clothing—just tied the fabric into a loose ball that wiggles easily to catch Marlee’s attention. You can use a tug toy, plush, or anything safe that your dog finds exciting.

 How to Make It:

1. Measure Your Paracord Cut a length of paracord that’s long enough to thread through your PVC pipe with extra slack at both ends. I used about 8 feet—this gives room for tying knots and leaves a good length for dangling the toy.

2. Thread the Paracord Through the PVC Pipe Feed one end of the paracord through the pipe until it comes out the other side.

3. Secure the Cord Tie a large knot at the end of the cord that will be inside the pipe so it doesn’t slip back through. You can also tie another knot near the opening for extra hold.

4. Attach the Toy Tie your toy or fabric securely to the loose end of the cord. Make sure it’s fastened well and won’t come off mid-play.

5. That’s it—You're Done! Just like that, you’ve made your very own flirt pole—durable, affordable, and perfect for high-energy play sessions.

   
   
   
   

   

   The final product!

And there you have it—your very own flirt pole for just $10–$15! It may not be as polished as the ones you’ll find online, but it absolutely gets the job done. I’ll probably need to swap out the toy soon to keep excitement up, but I’m really excited to see if this helps with her reactivity by giving her a healthy outlet and satisfying that natural chase drive.

If you give this a try, I’d love to hear how it works for you and your pup! And if you have any other DIY dog toy ideas you'd like me to test out, send them my way—I’m always up for a good project.