How to Make an Obstacle Course for Dogs

A dog obstacle course is a fun way to give your dog some exercise. It can also build trust, confidence and obedience skills. You can progress from a simple home obstacle course to the more formalized sport of agility training, where the type and size of obstacles are specified and dogs can compete for prizes. Unless you plan on competing, the type and size of the obstacles are up to you. Choose those that will be fun for both you and your pet. Arrange them in any order you like in your training area.

Things You'll Need

  • Fabric crawl tunnel
  • Tent stakes
  • Nylon cord
  • Teeter-totter
  • Indoor-outdoor carpeting
  • Screws
  • Screwdriver
  • Cinder blocks
  • 2-by-6 inch board, 8 to 12 feet long
  • 1 inch PVC, 3 feet long
  • Electrical tape, red
  • Old socks
  • Sand
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase a long child's fabric tunnel. Hold it to the ground by placing tent stakes on both sides of the tunnel. Tie nylon cord to the stakes, passing it over the tunnel, to secure the tunnel. Start with the tunnel in a straight line, so the dog can see out the far end. This is usually easier for beginning dogs. Introduce a curve to the tunnel when the dog understands how to go through it.

    • 2

      Place a teeter-totter at least 10 feet from the tunnel. It can be either before or after the tunnel, but there needs to be enough room to allow your dog to move easily from one obstacle to the next. Cover the board with indoor-outdoor carpeting so your dog doesn't slip. Screw the carpet in place.

    • 3

      Create a balance beam for your dog by placing a 2-by-6 inch board on top of two cinder blocks. The beam should be as level as possible and the cinder blocks should be stable so that the beam doesn't move when the dog walks on it. This can be raised later as the dog gains confidence.

    • 4

      Make an easy jump by placing two cinder blocks on end, about 3 feet apart. Lay a piece of 1-inch PVC across the tops of the blocks and hold it in place by using old socks filled with sand as weights. Wind red electrical or reflective tape in a spiral design down the length of the crossbar to help it to stand out.