The equipment used for an agility course is regulated by height and width and determined by size and breed of dog. When you start assembling your backyard course, consider space and refer to the AKC agility information for your dog’s recommended adjustments.
All obstacles should have a minimum of 5 metres and up to a maximum of 10 metres between centres of consecutive obstacles using the straight line centre-to-centre method. Download our Judges' Guide to Agility Equipment. Width: 1.2 m minimum. All bars, planks and fillers must be easily displaced by the dog.
They should be in a continuous line, as straight as possible and should be 60 cm apart between the poles. The base must have support bars at the bottom of each pole and they must be positioned away from the side a dog would normally negotiate each pole.
A basic canine agility course consists of: Jumps (standard pole and tire) The equipment used for an agility course is regulated by height and width and determined by size and breed of dog. When you start assembling your backyard course, consider space and refer to the AKC agility information for your dog’s recommended adjustments.
24 inches apartAll agility organizations have very specific guidelines for the weave poles. There are always 12 poles, spaced 24 inches apart. The dog of course has to navigate them in a zig-zag pattern.
around 5,000 square feetHow much space do you need for a dog agility course? If you want to set up a whole course including all obstacles, expect to need at least around 5,000 square feet. This is because it will require some space to put up the weave poles, contact obstacles, tunnels as well as a variety of jumps.
0:355:32How To: DIY Agility Dog Walk | TheDogBlog - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCut at 30 centimeters. You're going to need eight pieces of PVC. Cut at 15 centimeters you're goingMoreCut at 30 centimeters. You're going to need eight pieces of PVC. Cut at 15 centimeters you're going to need four elbow joints. And eight t pieces.
10-12" wideThe dog walk consist of 3 planks, 10-12" wide and 12 feet long placed end-to end. The middle plank is elevated to stand about four feet off the ground. The weave poles are a series of vertical poles placed 22 inches apart through which the dog must weave.
How high do dogs jump in agility? The most common question of dog owners starting out in agility is how high their dog will be jumping. The quick answer is: roughly as high as their shoulder height.
0:005:56Rescue Rebuild DIY Projects | Making Tire Tunnels - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's best to get a tire with a rim size of at least 17 inches. We're also going to need a drill withMoreIt's best to get a tire with a rim size of at least 17 inches. We're also going to need a drill with a hole saw the size isn't really important but just something big enough to drain water.
The only obstacles allowed at the start and finish of a standard agility or jumping course are: hurdle, wall, spread jump, brush jump, long jump, tyre, wishing well, pipe tunnel.
Here are a few ideas to get you started on building an indoor obstacle course for your kids:Crawl under or over a row of chairs.Crawl under a string stretched between two chair legs.Jump into and out of a Hula-Hoop five times.Walk on a balance board.Throw a beanbag into a laundry basket.More items...
2:178:05DIY Dog Agility Equipment for under $50 (read description!) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clip10 two inch pieces of PVC pipe for the polar wrestler. It is pretty simple these have a tee jointMore10 two inch pieces of PVC pipe for the polar wrestler. It is pretty simple these have a tee joint here to bring it up to here another tee joint this bar is what kind of keeps it all together.
Agility Hurdle - Dog play & exercise toyMaterialFoamBrandRosewood PetItem Dimensions LxWxH4.72 x 12.6 x 26.77 inches
The slang dog walk is “to overpower” or “outsmart” someone, as if in utter control of them, as when walking a dog. The slang verb own is a close synonym.
1:325:43How to Make A Dog Walk- Fast & Inexpensive! Dog Agility Training ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAll right I got my wood. Cut so now I'm gonna cut these floor mats I'm gonna cut them in half.MoreAll right I got my wood. Cut so now I'm gonna cut these floor mats I'm gonna cut them in half.
Once you have introduced the course to your dog, take them on a walkthrough so that they can start to understand each obstacle. Help guide them up and down contact obstacles and over jumps. Use vocal commands, treats, and gentle touch to help guide your dog through the course the first time.
To build a dog agility course, start by finding a level, wide-open space for your course. Then, remove any obstructions that could hurt your dog, like sticks or rocks. Next, lay down a contact obstacle, such as an A-frame or seesaw, which you can buy or make yourself.
Before you ever start training, let your dog explore the course. Unleash them in the area of the course and allow them to sniff around and familiarize themselves with the equipment. Familiarizing early on helps your dog feel more comfortable on the course when training.
If you are considering purchasing equipment, look for agility training kits that allow you to bundle obstacles. The right package could help save money when compared to buying pieces individually.
Agility training can help satisfy your dog’s natural instincts and allows them to release built-up energy, all while helping to bring you and your pet closer together.
Contact obstacles typically include A-frames and see-saws. A-frames have your dog run up one side and immediately down the other of a wooden, A-shaped obstacle. It is generally easier and safer for your pet to purchase a ready-built contact obstacles, but you can make your own A-frame from wood or aluminum.
You can use all kinds of things around the house to help your dog improve its agility. I've used broomsticks, plumbing, squeegees, ramps, and even plungers. Just be sure to familiarize the dog with the equipment and show them what you want them to do.
Tunnels tend to be an agility dog's favorite obstacle. There are two different types of tunnels, open and closed. The open tunnel is 10 to 20 feet long and open on both ends. It can be straight or curved but must not move when a dog runs through it. The closed tunnels presents a bit more of a challenge as the dog enters the open end and must push through a chute of fabric to emerge on the other side. The entire length of the closed tunnel is 12 feet long, but can reduced in severe weather. Dogs must enter one end of the tunnels and emerge on the other side.
The fast-paced, highly competitive sport of canine agility pits highly trained dogs and handlers against the clock to see which team can complete a highly regulated obstacle course with the quickest time and fewest mistakes. While there are many sanctioning bodies for the sport, the American Kennel Club's (AKC) guidelines for obstacle safety, size and performance are used and applied most commonly.
Weave poles are made from 3/4-inch wide, 40-inch high PVC pipes spaced 20 to 22 inches apart to form a straight line. A dog must enter between the first and second pole on the right hand side and, in sequence, weave left to right all the way through the obstacle. If a dog misses a pole, the handler can try again.
The seesaw should be balanced carefully so a 3-foot weight placed 12 inches from the high end of the seesaw causes it to hit the ground in 3 seconds or less. Your dog must run across the seesaw confidently and touch both 42-inch contact zones with at least one part of one foot.
The dog walk consists of two 12-foot ramps and a 12-foot center plank. The entire obstacle is 12 inches wide and should be painted similarly to the A-frame. As a contact obstacle, the dog walk also has 42-inch contact zones on the section of the ramps closest to the ground. Your dog should enter the obstacle, run up the ramp, across the center plank and down the second ramp with at least one part of one foot entering the contact zone on the second ramp.
The entire length of the closed tunnel is 12 feet long , but can reduced in severe weather. Dogs must enter one end of the tunnels and emerge on the other side.
While there are many sanctioning bodies for the sport, the American Kennel Club's (AKC) guidelines for obstacle safety, size and performance are used and applied most commonly.
Slide the 2-inch pipe on the teeter-totter plank over the crosspiece. Connect the crosspiece and the last corner. Tap all frame connections until secure.
Set the 12-inch length of 2-inch PVC pipe inside the straps with their holes aligned with the holes in the board. Attach the pipe-strap assembly to the board using 3/8-inch flathead bolts. Space the strap from the board with four washers at each bolt. Tighten a locknut onto each bolt using a flathead screwdriver and an adjustable wrench.
Tap the pipes tight into the tees using a block and a hammer. Drill a hole through the tee into the pipe using a drill/driver fitted with a 1/16-inch bit. Connect the two with a 1-inch set screw.
Mark the tipping point of the teeter-totter at 5 feet along a 12-by-8-inch laminated shelving board. Positioning this fulcrum away from the entry side of the teeter-totter will slow the drop rate once the dog crosses it. Mark two lines 2 inches from either side of the fulcrum. Mark each outside line at 3 and 9 inches from the edge.
Connect the top and bottom by inserting a 3¼-inch pipe, a tee, and another 3¼-inch pipe between the elbow at each end of the top and bottom. Build a second side, and install 14½-inch pipes between the tees in the center of the bottom and sides of the frame sides.
Attach the tee-pipe pairs to create one long line. Insert a 12-inch pipe into the tees on either end of the run and fit each with an elbow, a 24-inch pipe, and an end cap. Insert a 40-inch pipe fitted with an end cap into each of the six tees.
Mark each section of pipe to length using the cut list below. Cut all the sections using a pull saw. Write the length of each section at the end of the pipe where the marking will later be covered by a connector or end cap.
Agility courses provide dogs and their owners with a fun and healthy way to bond while getting some exercise. You can even sign your dog up to compete in organized activities, called agility trials, if you’d like! If you want to start teaching your dog to do agility work, you’ll need a few obstacles. You can buy commercially manufactured obstacles ...
As a fun way of playing with your dog in your backyard. If you choose to go this route, you can make whatever obstacles you like, set them up however you want, and teach your dog to complete them any way you wish. Just keep your dog’s safety in mind and go have a blast. In organized agility trials.
Learning to negotiate obstacles while following you around an agility course will help keep your dog’s brain humming. This will help prevent boredom, provide a number of emotional benefits, and generally help keep your dog healthier and happier.
Tunnel – A flexible tunnel your dog must run through. Collapsed Tunnel – A collapsed tunnel is like a normal tunnel, except that the frame is removed from the far end. So, your dog will have to run in the open side of the tunnel and then push her way through the opposite side which is caved in.
Most official courses are set up in an area that measures about 10,000 square feet. That sounds gigantic, but it’s really not – that’s a square area with 100-foot-long sides. You’ll clearly need a big backyard to set up an official course, but you won’t need acres and acres of space.
Equipped with these plans, you should be able to construct a multi-unit agility course in no time. These plans will explain how to make jumps, weave poles, and a seesaw.
If you want to participate in an official competition, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the common rules and regulations of agility courses and try to create an agility course that resembles those you and your dog will face during organized events.
Agility Equipment for Dogs. The common pieces of agility gear are jumps, weave courses, and tunnels. You can go all-out and use every piece of competition equipment or stick to a few basics.
In agility, a dog and handler complete an obstacle course as accurately as possible and in as short a time as they can . It’s a highly athletic event that requires training, teamwork, and concentration. But you don’t have to compete to enjoy it; backyard agility courses are a great way to provide exercise and stimulation ...
Jumps. A dog leaps over the panel, bar, or triple jump from a proper distance and from any angle, without displacing the board or bar. You’ll want something portable, that’s lightweight enough for you to move around in case you want to rearrange the course. For example: Hurdle Set for Dog Fitness and Agility.
A dog runs at full speed to the entrance of the tunnel, approaching from any angle, runs through it and then exits quickly. This is a good starting point because it’s one of the easiest obstacles to master. For example: This shape-shifting tunnel is regulation-size, 18-feet long, with a 24-inch openings.
Hurdle Set for Dog Fitness and Agility. You can set the bar to eight different heights, raising it as your dog gains mastery. The set includes four jumping bars, eight high-visibility cones, and height-adjustment attachments. Travel Jump Set.
This shape-shifting tunnel is regulation-size, 18-feet long, with a 24-inch openings. It’s durable, lightweight, and portable, and comes with stakes and a carrying case.
A dog enters to the right of the first pole at top speed. While focused straight ahead, he weaves through each pole as quickly as he can, staying as close to the center line a possible. For example:
Regulation H (1) (B)1.b. – The judge is responsible for the design of the course and must at all times give total consideration to the safety of the dog.
An agility show will have a series of obstacles laid out in a large ring. The Kennel Club allows a combination of 20 obstacles to be used on an agility course. The measurements given for the following equipment differ depending on whether the dog's height is large, medium or small.
A dog that leaves the obstacle, and then puts a paw back onto the obstacle should be eliminated. There is no guidance on what part of the dog should touch the contact area, but it is suggested that it should be a paw, or part thereof. A judge should be in such a position that both the up and down contacts can be properly judged
Note – a dog jumping over the tunnel when attempting to complete the obstacle is a refusal. However, when not attempting the tunnel as the next obstacle, a dog jumping over the tunnel during a round is normally dealt with as wrong course and therefore an elimination.
Pillars must be a minimum of 90 cm. All central units must be easily displaced by the dog and not interlocking with the pillars.
All obstacles should have a minimum of 5 metres and up to a maximum of 10 metres between centres of consecutive obstacles using the straight line centre-to-centre method.
The dog and handler are deemed to be under test when instructed by the judge or the judge’s steward, by signal or voice. The test has concluded when the dog has negotiated the last obstacle, or the handler and dog have voluntarily left the ring.
I don’t know if they ever where different or how we here in North America started with have poles as close as 18″ apart but once you start something it does become difficult to change it.
I personally think 24″ poles are safer for the dogs ; their shoulders their hips, their ribs, you name it.
Agility 101. A basic canine agility course consists of: Jumps (standard pole and tire) Tunnels. Teeter. Weave poles. Pause table. The equipment used for an agility course is regulated by height and width and determined by size and breed of dog.
Official canine agility trials originated in Birmingham, England, in 1978. The American Kennel Club sanctioned the sport in the US in 1994. Today there are more than 2,000 AKC competitions across the country. It is a spectator sport enjoyed by young and old alike.
Canine agility competitions represent one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States. Agility courses are designed to demonstrate athletic ability and stamina as well as the team effort between the handler and the dog. ADVERTISEMENT. Official canine agility trials originated in Birmingham, England, in 1978.
Depending on the size of your dog, pause tables can range significantly in price. Their purpose is to provide a break for your dog to regroup and stay during meets. Their ability to stay on the pause table is scored, so it is an important training routine.