The 5 Best Dog Flirt Poles Australia: Tested & Evaluated 2024

Is your energetic dog always up and ready for some boredom-inspired mischief? If you struggle with providing your pooch with enough mental and physical exercise on a daily basis, then a flirt pole may be a lifesaver. But what exactly is a flirt pole and which one is right for your dog? 

To uncover the best of the best, we joined forces with canine behaviour experts, veterinarians, and dog parents to form an independent team of experts. We then spent several weeks researching and testing several dozen flirt poles before finally agreeing the list below. In this article, we’ll review the best flirt pole in Australia, as well as its close follow-ups.

Australia's Best Flirt Poles Reviewed

At the first glance, this flirt pole by YES4QUALITY might look like any other. But it’s the small things that set it apart from other models on the market and make it the best product on our list.

First, let’s start with the pole itself. Our panel of independent experts loved how this model features a telescopic design, which allows you to extend it up to 114 cm long during playtime. When you’re done, you can collapse it down to length of 46 cm, which makes it easier to store away. There are four telescopic sections, so you can adjust the length depending on whether you’re indoors or outdoors, or on the size of your pooch. 

The pole is made of aluminium, a material that’s ten times as durable as fibreglass which is commonly used for flirt poles. This means it’s unlikely to break even if a playing session gets too rough. It’s also worth noting that this flirt pole weighs less than 400 grams, so even your kids can use it to play with their pooch.

The pole features a 116 cm long non-bungee cord. Because it’s not elastic, the cord doesn’t tangle as easily as a bungee one does, which is especially handy with hyperactive dogs. On the end, it has an attached braid lure made of fleece, which is a durable yet soft material. Unlike our number two option, the cord is not removable, which may or may not matter to you.

Another great flirt pole that showed us promising results is this product by Meieke. It’s strong and durable, yet sold at a rather affordable price, meaning it gets you more bang for your buck.

This flirt pole is made of 304 stainless steel, which is as sturdy as it can get. Not only can it take quite some beating, but it also has good corrosion resistance. So even if you keep it outside, rest assured this pole can be used for years to come.

The pole consists of two rods, which I was able to easily assemble by screwing them together. The handle is economically shaped and covered in rubber so that you can comfortably use it through the whole playing session.

The flirt pole features a nylon rope that’s about one metre long. And here's what sets it apart from our number one choice: it features a carabiner on one side that allows you to easily attach and remove it from the pole. The other side has a loop through which you can tie the lure.

This model features rope bait made of fleece, a material that’s durable and safe for dogs. But if you want to use a different kind of lure, a large loop allows you to easily replace it.

All dogs are different, which is apparent even from their toy choices. Some like balls, others prefer ropes and then some, like my puppers, are simply crazy about plush toys. If that’s the case with your pooch too, then getting a flirt pole with a plush toy lure is what you need, like this one by Jalousie.

The telescopic pole of this model is 91 cm long when fully expanded, so it’s suitable for both indoor and outdoor play. It collapses to 38 cm, smaller than even our number one choice, so you can store it practically anywhere. And since it weighs only 200 grams, you can put it in your pack and bring it on your doggy walks. 

But the main feature that makes this flirt pole stand out is the lures. This model comes with three different animal plush toys that are made of ultra-soft textile that imitates real fur. Plush toys’ heads are stuffed and feature a squeaker, which entices the dog to play. But the body is filled with crinkle paper, which makes noise when moved. This made the toy look more “real” in our expert panel's pooches’ eyes and ensured long playtime. While the plush toys may be the best option for some pups (like mine), they may quickly get destroyed by power chewers. 

While it’s true that flirt ropes aren’t designed for rough play, large and strong pooches sometimes can’t help but be a bit harsh on the toys. If this scenario seems familiar, then it’s important you get a product that’s durable enough to withstand a bit of horseplay, like this one by Dibbatu.

In terms of appearance, this flirt pole looks like any other. But since it’s made of 304 stainless steel, like our number two choice, it’s much more durable than aluminium or fibreglass. It’s practically impossible to break it, even if your dog ends up chewing on it.

The product consists of two pieces that connect to form an 84 cm long pole. As members of our independent panel of experts noted, this allows you to conveniently store it or carry it outdoor without taking up much space in your storage.

The rope is 96 cm long and it features a swivel eye snap hook on one side for easy attachment and removal. On the other side, it has a large loop that allows you to attach a lure. Speaking of lures, this model features a braided rope with two knots. While most others on this list are nylon, this lure is made of cotton, which holds well under pressure and is hard to chew through.

If you believe that your pooch will absolutely love the new toy, consider investing in a high-end product that can last you a very long time. With a flirt pole like this one by Xidajie, everyone on our independent research panel believe you can rest assured your canine companion will never be bored again.

Starting with the body, this 83 cm long flirt pole is made of carbon alloy. This material is much stronger and more durable than steel, you’ll probably never get to see it break. It’s not corrosion-resistant, but unless you leave it out in the rain, you won’t have to worry about that. I also love how the pole features an ergonomic handle, which made my dog's tough pulling gentler on my palms.

The nylon rope can be attached to the pole with a carabiner on one side. On the other side, the large loop allows you to attach one of the lures this model comes with. Like our number three option, it comes with three lures. Whether it’s a chew rope, training ball or a leather bite rag, your pooch will be happy to play with any of these high-quality toys. 

What I Look For In A Flirt Pole

But first things first, if you have never heard of a flirt pole, this specific dog toy may sound a bit unusual.  Essentially, a flirt pole is a long handle (or pole) that you hold onto, with a long cord attached to the end, with an assortment of toys, ropes etc. used as a lure for your dog to play with. Think like a similar cat toy - but for dogs.

Flirt poles provide exercise, mental enrichment and training all in one. They are a great way to provide a different element to playtime.  While all flirt poles look similar, it’s the little things that set them apart. Here’s what our panel of independent experts suggest you consider when buying a flirt pole.

Pole Length

Let’s put it this way: a very short flirt pole limits you from moving the lure around. As a result, your pooch can easily lose interest in playing with it. On the other hand, a long pole can make it harder for you to ensure full lure movement.

It’s also worth noting that longer poles are generally much heavier. This means you might not be able to use it for too long before your hand starts to hurt. There’s no one-size-fits-all, as the perfect pole length depends on your dog’s size, as well as if it’s used for indoor or outdoor play. But a good rule of thumb is to look for a pole that’s about 90 cm long.

Certain poles have a telescopic design, which allows you to adjust their size depending on the situation. While they usually cost a bit more, they’re especially useful for households with more different-sized canines.

Cord Length

The length of the cord is also important. As we learned during our trial phase, a short cord makes moving the lure around almost impossible. A long cord, however, can easily get tangled.

Between the two opposites, it’s always better to go with a longer cord. Once you try it out a few times with your pooch, you can decide on the appropriate length and shorten it if necessary.

Type Of Lures

Flirt poles come with all kinds of lures, including rope braids, balls, plush toys and similar. Since dogs have their preferences when it comes to toys, it’s best to go with the one you know your pooch likes best.

Keep in mind that playing with a flirt pole is different from just playing with toys. Since the lure is supposed to imitate an animal, your canine companion might get a bit more aroused during the chase. This, naturally, can result in a destroyed lure. That’s why it’s important to have your dog’s level of toy destruction in mind when choosing the type of lure.

Safety Considerations When Using A Flirt Pole

An excited dog can easily get a bit too destructive. That's why knowing how to properly utilise a flirt pole is crucial. In fact, as our team of independent experts point out, a flirt pole is more than just a toy - it’s an amazing tool for obedience training.

But in order to achieve that, you need to establish some ground rules for your canine companion (2).

1. The playtime doesn’t start until the dog is sitting and waiting for you to release the lure. Even if your pooch can’t stand still for more than a few seconds, that is good enough for learning that fun time requires patience.
2. “Take it” is the cue that starts the game of chase.
3. Let your dog catch the lure every once in a while. The prey that manages to escape every single time won’t keep any dog interested in too long. But don’t let the game turn into a tug of war.
4. Once you say “drop it,” playtime is over and the game won’t start over until your pooch lets the lure go.
5. Before you release the lure again, your dog has to be in a sitting position, waiting patiently.
6. Switch directions every now and then, so that your pooch isn’t running in the same way.
7. Every time your pooch breaks the rules, start over from the first step.

Once you establish these rules, a flirt pole will soon become your favourite toy for playing with your canine companion.

Next, we share our list for the best flirt poles for dogs Australia offers. We established these favourites after testing tonnes of varieties and after plenty of discussion.

My Final Thoughts

While all the flirt poles on our list have amazing features, the one that stood out most to our team of independent experts was the model by YES4QUALITY. It’s durable, lightweight, and highly-adjustable, so you can use it both indoors and outdoors. For a decent price, you get a toy that will last a very long time.

Alternatively, we also agreed that the model by Meieke is also worth considering. Made of stainless steel, it can withstand quite a bit of wear and tear. The same goes for the fleece lure rope it comes with.

References

1. Dare, V. February 18, 2019. “The Joys of Flirt Pole Play.” North Star Canines. Retrieved September 25, 2023. https://www.northstarcanines.com/post/the-joys-of-flirt-pole-play
2. "Flirt Pole: The Toy that Exercises Your Dog’s Mind and Body". March 19, 2020.  First Friend Canine Consulting. Retrieved September 25, 2023. https://firstfriendcanineconsulting.com/uncategorized/971/
3. Manson, J. February 28, 2021. “Flirt Poles for Dogs – The AMAZING Game Changer for Small Space Workouts.” FunDogFitness. Retrieved September 25, 2023. https://www.fundogfitness.com/flirt-pole-for-dogs-exercise/