Hey all I have a deaf pitbull that I am having in professional training and the training has been going very well. My trainer recommended adding more exercise to her daily routine with a springpull. She is LOVING it and I notice that before she looked skinny she now looks like she is gaining weight which I think has to be muscle as I have tried to fatten up those ribs forever. Plus after obediance, walks, and springpull in the morning and night she really is worn out when she returns to the crate. I was wondering what people's experiences were with springpull and their dogs and training.

I know some people says it makes them more agressive which I don't think is true but I am curious about any other pros or cons that people have found with their own PBs in training.

Thanks! Kelly

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I know some people says it makes them more agressive

And some people are crazy too. It brings out prey drive which is often viewed as or mistaken for aggression.

I use a springpole for my APBT's (actually right now, just the APBT/lab mix). They're especially great for dogs that aren't safe to play tug with.

I fostered a fat 8 yr old bandogge and put up a springpole for her. She lost about 20 lbs in a couple weeks just tugging away for a couple minutes a day. When she was returned, they didn't believe it was the same dog

I don't believe there are any cons as long as the springpole is safely designed with a safety chain through the inside of the spring and no metal parts by the lure.

 Quote: Anne Vaini

I use a springpole for my APBT's... They're especially great for dogs that aren't safe to play tug with.

Anne, I've heard you talk about your springpole in other threads. Can you post a picture of what it looks like. Would you recommend this as an exercise for any dog?

And what do you mean about dogs that aren't safe to play tug with?

Sorry if these are elementary questions.

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Would you recommend this as an exercise for any dog?

Any dog that likes to tug is a springpole candidate.

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And what do you mean about dogs that aren't safe to play tug with?

A dog that has not been taught to target and likes to regrip on fingers. I'm not talking about the tugging games used for building drive and grip. I mean unstructured tugging with an untrained dog and handler.

When I worked at a vet clinic, there were lots of crazy aggressive lab pups that came in as bite quarantines. There was on APBT bite while I worked there. Sweet non-aggressive dog with crazy prey drive. The owner's friend was playing tug with the dog. It was an accidental bite that could have been prevented by using a springpole.

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Can you post a picture of what it looks like.

This site has some pretty amazing photos of her dogs on the springpole http://www.workingpitbull.com

I can get a photos and video up later today - if my camera batteries last!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjC9oq_emYs

It's pretty easy to make a springpole. First - check local ordinances. In some areas they are banned.

The cheapest and most durable way to make a springpole is with a tree branch. Throw a rope over a bendy branch and tie the tug ot lure to the rope. This is a "springless" spring pole - the kind I used for the video this morning. It's pretty rough on the tree bark. I have used a muffler clamp to protect the tree bark, but that does some damage too.

A free-standing springpole is a bad idea, IMO. My first was freestanding. I believe is is pictured briefly on Ed's dominant and aggressive dogs DVD. (It just happened to be in the background... has nothing to do with the DVD) It was a 4x4 post solidly cemented in the ground. The dog pulled it out!

If you don't have a tree, I'd say to hang the spring from a garage rafter.

So the spring part can be made with a garage door spring. (I get used ones free from a garage door installing place.) Get a sturdy one that isn't stretched out. Then get a length of chain and drop it through the spring and fasten it to both ends. If the spring were to break, the chain will prevent pieces from flying and injuring your or your dog.

Attach the spring to a tree branch or rafter securely. Use a length of ROPE (not chain!) to attach a lure to the bottom of the spring.

The lure can be a rope tug, wheelbarrow tire or bite roll (not the best). The lure should hang 2 - 6 feet off the ground.

I had a hard time finding a picture of a springpull - there are lots of pictures of the dogs jumping to them though. Mine is based off of the working pit bull site. I have a godcollar around a tree branch and slipped on to that one of those chain links that closes with a swivel snap and a garage door spring on it. Attached to the spring is another closing chain link and a sisal rope and then that tied to the rope toy.

I had to tie a second rope to the spring to control the snap-back as it was overwhelming for my PB for a couple of days.

I need to do what Anne recommends and put a safety on the spring it woudl be deadly if any part of it broke and snapped back.

I also don't have it tied up so high that she jumps up like so many of the dogs in the photos on the internet - Sadie seems to get a lot of exercise just pulling on it and runnign and grabbing it when it snaps back.

Her physical condition is great and helps her focus before obediance sessions!! I love it! kelly

Here it gives another great way to make a spring pole. You can use inner tubes if you don't have access to a spring. I think I'm going to try to make one this weekend.

http://www.workingpitbull.com/springpole.htm

 Quote: Anne Vaini

First - check local ordinances. In some areas they are banned.

I'm confused...why would they be banned?

In some areas they are considered paraphernalia for dog fighting. Dog treadmills in some areas are also considered a device used for dog fighting and are banned.