how to make an obstacle course for a dog

by Coy Watsica 6 min read

How to Make Your Own Dog Obstacle Course

  • Jumping Obstacles. Jumping is a great first activity to teach your dog if you're both new to obstacle training. ...
  • Weaving Obstacles. Do you have small orange cones from when your children played soccer? ...
  • Tunnel Obstacles. There are many options for creating a tunnel with household items. ...
  • Ramps. ...
  • Change Things Up. ...

You can also create a tunnel obstacle using a large, pop-up hamper with the bottom cut out. If your dog gets claustrophobic by even the shortest of tunnels, try more of a simple hoop like an old tire or hula-hoop to hold upright and try to coax your dog through.Jul 21, 2020

Full Answer

How to train your dog to run an obstacle course?

The Tunnel Method

  1. Using a flexible and expandable tunnel (buy one that has solid ends and a soft tube), create a short tunnel for the first stages of training.
  2. Have your pup sit at one end of the tunnel and give him time to get used to it.
  3. Toss a treat through the tunnel so that your pup can see where it lands.

More items...

How to build a backyard obstacle course for your dog?

Weave Poles

  • Cut the PVC pipe into pieces 36” long. You’ll need 6 pieces.
  • Layout the poles in a straight line and mark off every 24”. Most governing competition bodies use 24” as the standard spacing.
  • Insert them into the ground with a mallet or hammer.

How to find the best obstacle course?

  • You might find that a planned location for an obstacle doesn't work well. Don't be afraid to make changes.
  • Try doing the obstacle course yourself once you've built it to evaluate how well it works.
  • Once you've built and tested your course it's time to open it up to others.

How to make dog agility obstacles?

Other Featured Obstacles

  • Pipe Tunnel. There should be at least 1 pipe tunnel included in an agility course for canines. ...
  • Weave Poles. Weave poles are arguably one of the toughest dog agility course obstacle selections to teach a dog. ...
  • Table or Pause Box. This obstacle is fairly self-explanatory. ...
  • Tire Jump. Tire jumps are often called hoops. ...
  • Winged Hurdles. ...

How do I get my dog into an obstacle course?

Put your dog on a leash, and give a command specific to the obstacle, such as "A-frame." Move quickly as you approach the obstacle, and lead the dog over it. You may need to use some extra special treats the first few times to coax your dog onto these obstacles.

Do dogs like obstacle course?

Hoping to train your dog for an agility competition? Want to provide your four-legged companion with more physical and mental stimulation? Backyard obstacle courses are a great way to build trust with your dog, provide exercise, and prevent boredom.

How do you make an obstacle ramp for dogs?

0:0013:34DIY Agility A-Frame For Dogs | How To Build - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's 18 inches wide and it's 8 feet long I'm gonna cut that down to 6 feet long for both platformsMoreIt's 18 inches wide and it's 8 feet long I'm gonna cut that down to 6 feet long for both platforms from what I've read that's not regulation.

How do I build a cheap obstacle course?

0:292:13DIY Dollar Store Backyard Obstacle Course - HGTV Handmade - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCourse you're going to need a few solar garden lights a couple of pole noodles. And duct tape thisMoreCourse you're going to need a few solar garden lights a couple of pole noodles. And duct tape this way we'll be able to make a tunnel for your little one to army crawl through.

How do I build a backyard obstacle course?

3:126:39How to Make an Obstacle Course for Your Kids in Your BackyardYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOnce you've cut one of your legs it becomes a template for the other. Three glue and screw like weMoreOnce you've cut one of your legs it becomes a template for the other. Three glue and screw like we always do just make sure you use outdoor adhesive to cope with the elements.

Should dogs climb stairs?

So are stairs bad for dogs at all times? No. There are instances when stair use is not recommended, but in most cases, there should be no issues. Make sure your pet is the right age when teaching them how to use stairs, and watch for any signs of pain or reluctance in your pets.

How do you set up a simple obstacle course?

0:372:28How to Set Up an Obstacle Course in Your Backyard - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPlace a wooden ladder flat on the ground participants run the length of the ladder as fast as theyMorePlace a wooden ladder flat on the ground participants run the length of the ladder as fast as they can by stepping between each of the rungs. Step 3 lay eight hula hoops in a row. And this segment.

How do you make a dog agility jump out of wood?

0:557:48How to make Agility jumps | DIY Dog Agility Course - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe do six jumps in a row for donut. Okay so the first two bars we're going to do is the ground barMoreWe do six jumps in a row for donut. Okay so the first two bars we're going to do is the ground bar and the jump bar. And they both need to be 47 inches. So we're going to make a mark.

How do you make a backyard Ninja course?

2:536:30How to Build a Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course! DIY - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou just drill some holes through some two by fours make sure that the holes big enough for a ropeMoreYou just drill some holes through some two by fours make sure that the holes big enough for a rope to fit through then drill a hole through your 1-inch PVC pipe.

What is an obstacle course for dogs?

Setting up an obstacle course for your dog provides exercise, enjoyment, mental stimulation, and agility practice all in one. As an added bonus, completing a series of activities gives your dog -- and you -- a feeling of achievement. Obstacle course “kits” available for purchase can get expensive. Fortunately, you can DIY your own outdoor obstacle ...

How to keep dogs safe on agility course?

Keeping Your Dog Safe on the Obstacle Course. The most critical and basic component of any agility obstacle course is your dog’s safety. Don’t try to challenge your dog beyond their ability -- start with small jumps and simple obstacles to build your dog’s confidence and prevent accidents. Don’t build an obstacle course without taking your dog’s ...

How to get a dog to stop being claustrophobic?

If your dog gets claustrophobic by even the shortest of tunnels, try more of a simple hoop like an old tire or hula-hoop to hold upright and try to coax your dog through .

How tall should a dog jump?

For example, if your dog is two feet tall from shoulder to paw (24 inches), start with a jump that’s about 3 inches off the ground and work up from there.

Can you use a dog tunnel as a play tunnel?

You can use children’s play tunnels as doggie tunnels, too, as long as they are the right size and adequately stabilized. Long tunnels aren’t the way to go with a beginner’s DIY obstacle course for your pup-- play tunnels of 2 feet long or less are a good place to start.

Can you leave an obstacle course open to dogs?

All elements should be breathable, lightweight, and collapsible. Don’t leave your obstacle course accessible to your dog during times that it’s not in use. Your dog should be supervised whenever they are playing on the course. Anything that would rust or decay should be picked up and put away safely between training sessions.

Can you build an obstacle course without a dog?

Don’t build an obstacle course without taking your dog’s height, weight, length, and physical fitness into consideration first. Don’t include anything in your obstacle course that has a sharp edge, is unstable, is old or broken, or poses a suffocation risk. All elements should be breathable, lightweight, and collapsible.

What is the best obstacle to train a dog?

4. Zig zag. The zig zag obstacle is an excellent training exercise for dogs.

How to make a dog run between two chairs?

All it takes is a few dining chairs and a large blanket. Line up two rows of chairs back-to-back. Leave enough space in the middle of the rows for your dog to safely run between.

How to train a dog to zig zag?

Set up a row of small obstacles on the ground, like boxes, chairs, or even shoes. The goal is to get your dog to zig zag through the obstacles all the way down the line. This one is best taught using the “follow the leader” technique.

How to get a dog to jump on a stool?

Remember to have a tasty reward at the other end. 2. Hurdles. Grab a small foot stool for your dog to leap. Bigger dogs should be capable of clearing the foot stool no problem, but smaller breeds should be more cautious. Teach them to jump onto the stool and then down the other side. 3. Army crawl.

Can dogs run stairs?

Having him run the stairs a few times will get his blood pumping and intensify the obstacle course. This works best on carpeted stairs. Smooth materials can be slippery, and you want to make sure that your dog doesn’t get injured while playing.

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Jumping Obstacles

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Jumping is a great first activity to teach your dog if you're both new to obstacle training. And if you have a laundry basket and a curtain rod, you have all the tools you need to make short, beginner jumps for your buddy. Any extra PVC pipes or cups left over from a plumbing project? These make for a perfect DIY dog obstacl…
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Weaving Obstacles

  • Do you have small orange cones from when your children played soccer? These would make a perfect weaving course for your dog obstacle course. Set the cones up the way you'd arrange them for a pickup football or soccer game. Have you ever used poles that look like candy canes to decorate your home for the holidays? If so, perfect! Though he's obviously taller than the cones, …
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Tunnel Obstacles

  • There are many options for creating a tunnel with household items. Do your children have play tunnels they've since outgrown? These lightweight collapsible corridors are perfect for dog training. Plus, when you aren't using them they can be stored easily and take up very little room. Dogs who are completely new to tunnel training could find the same enjoyment in a cardboard b…
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Change Things Up

  • As your pooch starts to get a hang of things and makes it through each obstacle simply following your verbal commands or hand gestures, change up the order of the obstacles. This will help him better understand that each obstacle has its own commands, rather than simply following the same path he learned on. Want to make things a little more fun? Add in a couple of additional ex…
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