We adopted Blue earlier this year, and what an awesome addition he’s been to our family. He’s sweet, goofy, and endlessly enthusiastic… and also happens to be about 100 pounds of pure muscle and momentum.
That combination has created one challenge I didn’t fully anticipate: I can’t safely walk him by myself.
As much as I want to take Blue on long neighborhood adventures, the reality is that right now he’s just too strong and too excited. One squirrel, one sudden noise, and I’m basically a kite on the end of his leash. Admitting that hasn’t been easy, but it’s the truth—and safety has to come first for both of us.
So this summer, Blue is heading off to “away school” for dogs.
We’ve enrolled him in a board‑and‑train program with the hope that, when he comes home, we’ll finally be able to enjoy the walks he deserves: calm, controlled, and fun for both of us. I’m really looking forward to that day when I can clip on his leash without bracing my entire body first.
In the meantime, though, Blue’s energy still needs an outlet. A big one.
Enter one of the best dog inventions I’ve discovered: the flirt pole.
If you’re not familiar with it, a flirt pole is basically a giant, dog‑safe cat toy: a long pole with a rope and a toy or lure at the end. You crack it like a fishing rod, and the toy zips around the yard while your dog chases, pounces, spins, and generally has the time of his life.
For us, it’s been a game‑changer. I might not be able to walk Blue down the street yet, but I can stand in the backyard and give him a serious workout. A few short rounds with the flirt pole, and that 100‑pound rocket dog is happily tired.
Even better, it’s not just chaos. We sneak in a little training while we play:
Asking for a sit before the game starts
Using a release word to let him chase
Practicing “drop it” or “leave it” when he catches the toy
It turns out the flirt pole is more than just fun; it’s helping us build some self‑control and focus, too.
So for now, this is our season: backyard games, flying toys, and a very happy Blue. We’re making the best of where we are, while getting ready for where we’re going.
I’m hopeful that after his summer “away school,” Blue and I will finally be able to enjoy those long, peaceful walks I imagined when we first brought him home. Until then, the flirt pole is earning its place as one of my favorite dog‑parent tools ever.
What a great invention—and what a great dog to use it with.
