how to set up an obstacle course for your dog

by Dr. Gilda Mosciski 7 min read

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

How to train your dog to run an obstacle course?

Jul 21, 2020 · Make sure that you aren’t making the jump obstacle too high up. Your dog can start with small jumps and work up to going higher, but should be able to build confidence and achieve the jump with minimal exertion at first. Start with a jump that’s about an eighth of your dog’s standing height.

How to build a backyard obstacle course for your dog?

Mar 07, 2018 · When you first set up your obstacle course for dogs, your goal should be to focus on accurately moving from one piece of equipment to the next. Once your dog can complete many different dog obstacle course configurations with ease, then you can start working on speed. When you begin competing, dogs are judged on both speed and accuracy, but it’s often …

What is dog agility course and what are the obstacles?

Oct 27, 2017 · First and foremost, you need to keep your pup's safety in mind at all times. While it might be tempting to make your own obstacles, and there is nothing wrong with doing so, be sure that anything you build is strong enough to support your dog's weight when he is running at full tilt. You also need plenty of space to set up the obstacle course.

How to find the best obstacle course?

Aug 31, 2021 · 6. How to Build a Three-Part Dog Agility Course from DIY Network. This is another set of very thorough plans from the DIY Network which provide step-by-step instructions for creating a three-part obstacle course. With these plans, you’ll be able to build your dog a high-quality seesaw, a set of weave poles, and an A-frame.

How do you make a dog agility course out of household items?

0:162:23DIY Dog Agility Course - Dog Training - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou just have to get two chairs that are the right height for your dog. You can either put the broomMoreYou just have to get two chairs that are the right height for your dog. You can either put the broom handle. Against. The seats if your dogs a larger dog or underneath. Against the rungs of the chair.

Are obstacle courses good for dogs?

Building Confidence: Agility training isn't just for dogs in national dog shows and the obstacle course competitions that you sometimes see on TV. It's a great way to strengthen the relationship between dog and owner. Additionally, it can help improve overall demeanor and behavior.Sep 4, 2015

How do I set up an obstacle course in my backyard?

0:372:29How 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 seesaw?

3:018:59How To: DIY Agility See-Saw | TheDogBlog - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou're going to need two pieces of PVC. Cut into 20 centimeter length. And last but not least fromMoreYou're going to need two pieces of PVC. Cut into 20 centimeter length. And last but not least from uprights you're going to need 2 PVC pieces. Cut into 35 centimeter length. So all those materials.

How do you make an obstacle course?

10 things you can use to create a DIY obstacle coursePool noodles. ... Scrap lumber. ... Tunnels. ... Stumps. ... Any kind of ball. ... Ninja quintuple steps. ... Bean bags. ... Skipping rope.More items...•May 18, 2020

How do you make PVC dog agility equipment?

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.

How do I set up an obstacle course at home?

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...

How can I make Ninja course at home?

0:576:30How to Build a Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course! DIY - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd the first thing I want to do is dig the holes for your posts you want to make sure that theseMoreAnd the first thing I want to do is dig the holes for your posts you want to make sure that these are at least two and a half feet deep I secured mine with a 2x4 held them in place.

How do you make obstacles on scratch?

1:099:06Scratch Programming Flappy Toucan Game Creating Obstacles - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipChoose a sprite. And I can't see a clump of trees but I can see a single tree. So that will do fineMoreChoose a sprite. And I can't see a clump of trees but I can see a single tree. So that will do fine for now. I'm going to edit this tree and turn it into a little group of trees.

How do you make a dog frame?

Instruction Steps:Build the A-frame climbing wall. Use a table saw or circular saw to cut two 4′ x 8′ sheets of plywood down to 3′ x 8′. ... Add wooden rungs to the wall. Wooden rungs will aid your dog's traction as he climbs the A-frame. ... Paint the A-frame wall. ... Finish the A-frame wall.Dec 8, 2016

How do you make a dog platform?

0:333:37How to Make a Custom Training Platform for Your Dog. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clip4 1 by 3 8 foot white wood boards. For them cut into 34 inches. And for them cut into 36 inchesMore4 1 by 3 8 foot white wood boards. For them cut into 34 inches. And for them cut into 36 inches standard plywood cut into 2 3 feet by 3 feet sheets.

What are the basics to train a dog?

How to Teach a Dog to SitStand in front of your puppy holding some of his dog food or treats.Wait for him to sit – say “yes” and give him a treat.Then step backwards or sideways to encourage him to stand and wait for him to sit.Give another treat as soon as they sit.More items...

What is the best way to teach a dog to jump?

Jumping Obstacles. 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.

How to teach a dog to do tricks?

So many simple tricks are easy for you to teach on your own. Start your course with simple jumps, weave poles, and tunnels, and you'll both look like professionals in no time. There are a few things to consider before creating a dog obstacle course. First, make sure you have enough space for each trick you set up ...

How to get your dog to understand obstacles?

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.

How to train a dog to jump through obstacles?

When first training your pup, you can simply hold the circle at the desired height while signaling your dog to jump through. All jumping obstacles need to be collapsible. You don't want your pup to get injured if he can't make it through.

How long should a dog tunnel be?

You can always start with shorter tunnels, no more than four or five feet in length, until he gets used to the idea of walking through it. If your dog has never practiced any agility training before with tunnels, he may be hesitant to try it. Just be encouraging.

Where to put treats in a dog tunnel?

You can also try placing treats at the front, middle and end of the tunnel to encourage your new athlete to go through. Again, with all other training, be consistent in your verbal commands to help your pup understand that you want him to go through the tunnel.

Can you store collapsible corridors for dogs?

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 box with the bottom removed.

How to get a dog to use a weave pole?

Set up two rows of weave poles parallel in your backyard. Have your pup sit at one end of the channel between the poles. Holding the treat out in front of you, walk backward away from your pup through the channel. Give him the 'weave' command as you do so to get him used to hearing it.

How to train a dog to sit in a tunnel?

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. Step. 2. Have a seat. Have your pup sit at one end of the tunnel and give him time to get used to it.

How many obstacles do dogs have to run in a competition?

In competition, dogs are expected to navigate between 18 and 20 obstacles with the one who does so the fastest declared the winner. The dogs and their human friend get ...

How to teach a puppy to jump on a bar?

6. Moving on up. Once your pup is jumping the bar at the lowest setting easily, start moving the bar up one notch at a time, until your pup is jumping at the recommended height for his breed and will do so with you running beside him, giving him the command.

How to train a dog to run an obstacle course?

Throughout training your pup to run an obstacle course, you will need to teach him simple commands such as 'up', 'through', 'weave', and 'round'. Take your pick, but be sure to use a single command for each activity. Mixing up the commands or using different ones each time will only confuse your pup and make the training go that much harder.

What happens when a dog jumps over obstacles?

During the obstacle course, your pup will be jumping over some obstacles, climbing up and over others, and running between slalom poles, all of which could lead to serious injury.

How to teach a dog to jump on a leash?

Find a spot in your yard with plenty of room on both sides of the jump and set the jump up with the bar set at the lowest height. Step. 2. Lead your dog. With your job on his leash, walk him up to the bar and give him time to get used to the jump. Step. 3.

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 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.

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.

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.

How to play with your dog in your backyard?

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.

What is agility training?

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 ...

How to keep a dog from boredom?

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.

What is a jump in track?

Jump – Jumps are obstacles dogs are required to bound over. They’re typically constructed like a hurdle used in human track and field events. Spread Jumps – A jump that requires your dog to clear a predetermined distance and. Panel Jump – Jumps that utilize a flat panel, rather than a hurdle-like design.

What is the Animal College Behavior Blog?

The Animal College Behavior Blog provides tips for making a few agility obstacles that are very easy to create. Specifically, it provides plans for constructing jumps and ladders. However, this blog recommends buying tunnels, rather than making them yourself, as commercial models typically last longer.

What is a dog tunnel?

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.

Do dog agility courses have videos?

For some reason, DIY dog agility course designers rarely make videos explaining how to build the obstacles detailed in their plans. But we always want to help our readers as much as possible, so we’ve gathered a few of the best videos we could find below.

What is the key part of a dog training obstacle course?

Jumps: This is one of the key parts of a dog training obstacle course. When building a jump you want to make sure it is collapsible, as you don’t want your dog to jump into something solid and get injured.

Can you pull splinters out of Fido's paws?

Just make sure there are no chances of splinters you don’t want to pull them out of Fido’s paws! Also, make sure when you attach the 2 pieces of plywood together you have it at a decent angle for your dog, not to high but not too shallow either.

How to get your dog to run agility?

Use lots of encouragement and praise, so running the obstacle courses is fun for both of you. Using treats can be an easy way to get started with dog agility. If your dog knows you have a treat and is looking for one, treat placement can be a quick and easy way to encourage your dog to complete an obstacle.

What are some good exercises for dogs?

The activities in an agility course are great exercise for a dog: running, jumping, weaving, climbing up a ramp, and more are great ways to keep active dogs happy, fit, and flexible. It can tire them out, and if your agility course is in your living room, you may not have to do more than speak commands from the couch! So if you're sick or the weather is terrible, you can still give your active dogs a good workout.

What to watch out for when jumping on a bar?

What to watch out for: As with your bar jump, avoid hard and immovable materials that could injure your dog if he misjudges the distance between poles. However, you’ll also want to secure your poles so they don’t fall over every time your dog runs through them.

Why do dogs use orange cones?

If you are training your dog for an agility competition, large orange cones can also benefit them because they present more of a challenge than standard weave poles. Wherever you set up your agility course, ensure that your dog has enough room to run around and that there are no hidden dangers around the course.

What are some obstacles that dogs can use?

Let’s look at three common types of obstacles — jumps, tunnels, and weave poles — that you can set up for your dog. Remember, safety is the most important feature of any obstacle course, so keep your dog’s well-being in mind while setting everything up.

Can you use orange cones for agility?

You can also buy orange traffic cones and space them out at a safe distance. Traffic cones are bulkier than the weave poles used in agility competitions, but if you’re just casually training your dog on an agility course, they’ll work just fine. If you are training your dog for an agility competition, large orange cones can also benefit them ...

Is it safe to go through a dark tunnel with a dog?

Going through an enclosed dark space can be scary for your dog the first few times, and you need to make the experience as positive as possible. The tunnel you set up should be wide enough for your dog to comfortably pass through and sturdy enough that it won’t collapse while your dog is inside it.

Can you make an obstacle course from scratch?

How to set them up: Although it is possible to create an obstacle course tunnel from scratch, a lot of people find that it’s easier and a lot less time-consuming just to repurpose an existing play tunnel. A flexible children’s play tunnel makes a great obstacle, and you can find one at most department stores as well as furniture outlets for ...

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Jumping Obstacles

  • 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 obstacle course building tool. The best way to set up a jump is with movab
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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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Ramps

  • Ramps can be another fun addition to your dog obstacle course. Some large plywood and cinder blocks can make a simple ramp for him to race up and down, but be certain that they are secure and will withstand your dog running up or down them without shifting to help keep him safe.
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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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