How to Make Dog Jumping Equipment

Trainers use dog jumps as essential tools for a number of sports. Agility, schutzhund and obedience all utilize jumps. Having a few on hand can help you hone your dog's skills and prepare him for a successful run. Commercially made jumps, however, can be expensive and difficult to set up and move. You can make your own jumps at home simply and cost-effectively, allowing you to spend more time training and preparing for competition.

Things You'll Need

  • 3 48-inch PVC sections, ½ inch in diameter
  • 3 47-inch PVC sections, ½ inch in diameter
  • 4 8-inch PVC sections, ½ inch in diameter
  • 8 T-joint sections
  • 3 end caps, cut in half
  • Glue
  • Colored tape
  • Drill
  • Screws
  • Measuring tape
Show More

Instructions

  1. How to Make Dog Jumping Equipment

    • 1

      Place one of your T-joints on a flat surface with the middle hole facing upwards, and drill a hole through the side of the pipe. Make this hole slightly larger than ½ inch in diameter, which will allow you to slide a piece of your pipe through it. Repeat this process on another T-joint, and glue one of the 48-inch sections inside the newly drilled holes.

    • 2

      Slide one of your 8-inch sections into each of the horizontally facing holes in your T-joints. Apply a thin layer of glue around the end of your short sections and push them firmly into the joints, allowing the glue to dry. This will form a stable jump base and prevent your jump from falling apart even with repeated use.

    • 3

      Check your agility registry's jump requirements and measure out three evenly spaced holes on the two remaining long PVC sections. Your registry's regulations will tell you the required height for your jump bars, so measure according to your dog's height class. You'll use these holes to attach your jump cups, so make them even with each other. Drill a small hole at each of these marks, and screw one of your jump cups into each hole.

    • 4

      Apply a thin layer of glue to the end of your jump uprights and insert them into the two vertical holes in your T-joints. Turn them so the jump cups line up along the inside of the jump, and allow the glue to dry for at least 48 hours to fully secure your jump frame.

    • 5

      Wrap small strips of colored tape along the three 47-inch pieces of PVC pipe. This colored tape makes the jump bars easier to see and works as a bright visual indicator for your dog. Set one bar in each set of jump cups to complete your newly constructed dog jump.