How to Build a Spring pole.

For dogs with high prey and fight drives (IE the Bully Breeds and others) a spring pole can be the best boredom buster in your arsenal. A common misconception is that "Only Dog fighters use spring poles" Don't believe it. Many people with high energy, working dogs use them. The difference is in how they are used and what comes after wards.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A secure area with plenty of room.
• a 6x6
• 2 6ft long 2x4s.
• Heavy gauge nails/screws
• Hammer or Drill
• Quick Link carabiners
• a heavy gauge, steel spring
• Thick, nautical rope
• A stout ring style rope toy
• A high energy dog who loves playing Tug o' war

1. Find a place in your yard where there is at least a five foot diameter of clear area. Dogs tend to swing around on these and it's safer if they have a clear area. Dig a hole about 5 inches deep. Place a T-post in the hole on one side and then place your 6x6 in next to it. Using sturdy wire fasten the wood post to the T-post and then fill the hole in. Make sure you pack the dirt tightly and cover the wire.

2. Now that the base is installed we need to cut our 2x4s. The first needs to be cut so that we end up with 1 4ft long piece and 1 2ft long piece. The 4ft piece attaches to the top of the of the post and extends out from it in a 90 degree angle (parallel to the ground). The 2ft piece needs to be fitted diagonally between the top bar and the post. This eases the strain and helps to prevent cracking, warping and breaking.

3. The second 2x4 isn't actually necessary but I prefer to be prepared so I cut it into two (2) 3ft pieces and fit one under the first cross piece. The second piece is placed beside the T-post and tightly attached to both posts.

4. I use two different widths of nautical rope (boating rope). The first is 4in thick (diameter) and 1.5 feet long. Bore two holes in the wooden bar and thread the rope through the first one. Using a square knot tie it off and thread the remainder through the second hole. Tie it off with another square knot. At this point you should have about a foot of rope hanging.

5. 
   An example of this type of spring pole. Sorry guys my cameras down or I'd show you mine.

   Take the dangling end of rope and knot it so that there is a small loop at the end. Take your first Quick Link Carabineer and fasten it through the loop. Put your spring onto this carabineer and make sure it's fasten correctly. The spring should be a bit over 4.5 feet from the ground. I then use a piece of 2in diameter rope that is 8 inches long. Tie loops in both ends and Quick Link it to the bottom of the spring. Place another carabineer through the loop at the bottom and attach your rope tug toy to it.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your dog's hind feet can ALWAYS reach the ground.
• Wrapping the bottom 3.5 feet of the post with padding and then old inner tube will prevent injury to the dog if they slam into it.
• The length of your pieces depend on the height of your dog. The taller your dog the taller your post will need to be and the heavier the dog the stronger the bracing needs to be.
• You can build a 'sheath' to fit over the spring if you are nervous about the dog getting a hold of it.
• NEVER allow a dog to use a spring pole without supervision.
• Do NOT start a dog using a spring pole unless the vet has declared them physically sound.
• Puppies younger than 1 yr should not use a spring pole.
• If the dog's hind feet cannot reach the ground there is a high risk of them falling and hurting themselves.

Resources

• Pit Bull Handbook.
• Spring Pole Information