How old for springpole.

I have been reading this forum for a while now and I have to say I've picked up some very useful info. I have a one year old SBT and I've just started him with a flirtpole, just a few minutes each day. I want to get him on a springpole but I've been told he's too young and I shouldn't start him until he's eighteen months. It would be great to hear people's opinions on this, any info much appreciated.

 

Its fine to work a dog on a springpole as long as the dogs hind legs are touching the floor i was never a fan of making a dog chase a flirtpole were they jumped clear of the floor twisting and turning in mid air or have having a dog hang from anything while its working, this can put a dogs shoulders or hips out . I was once helping some buddys work a bitch out of Nelis/Spike breeding and they were working her on a flirtpole and she dislocated her shoulder , i had to put it back in several times during the keep and it came out regular the rest of her life , also had a son of my Popeye dog that damaged his hip chasing a flirtpole and i know thousands dont get injured but when one does you kinda look at things a little differently , flirtpole works fine if a dog is chasing the lure with its feet on the ground , i liked to hand a wagon tube about a foot of the ground this way a dog can work it more naturaly with all its feet on the ground

 

Ur dog is old enough and the flirt pole is an amazing tool as well

 

Thanks for your replies, I've made him a springpole and he can't seem to get enough!