Types of Surfaces for Dog Agility

Agility training keeps dogs healthy, active and alert. There are many options for agility training surfaces. Each surface type offers its own challenges in balance, obedience and athleticism. These descriptions will help you decide which agility training surfaces are best for your dog.

  1. A-Frame: AKA Scaling Wall or Mountain

    • Dogs must step on the yellow stripe on the A-frame to complete the exercise.

      The A-frame is constructed of two pieces of wood or aluminum, usually about 3 feet wide and 9 feet long. The two halves are hinged at the top and connected in the middle much like a ladder, opening out to form a triangle. The dog's objective is to run up one side of the ramp and down the other on command.The ramp's end is painted yellow, marking the "yellow zone," which the dog must step into to complete the exercise properly and safely.

    Dog Walk

    • A dog walk is the dog equivalent of a balance beam. The beam rises on an incline, levels to a flat plane, and then declines. The beam is usually made of wood, and is narrow enough to make balancing a challenge for the dog. The walk is usually 8 to 12 feet long.

    Pause Table

    • The table obstacle is more a practice of obedience than balance or agility. The table is simply a wooden box on which the dog must stand or sit for a given amount of time, determined by the judge or trainer. The dog hops on and off the box at the trainer's command. The box top may be covered with Astro-turf or carpet for the dog's comfort.

    Teeter: AKA See-Saw, Tip-It or Teeter-Totter

    • The teeter is similar to a human teeter-totter or see-saw, except that one side of it is weighted so it will return to a "start" position (one side tipped down) after the dog crosses it. A teeter is constructed of a wooden plank, attached to a metal or wood triangle in a way that allows the plank to tip each end to the ground under pressure. The objective is for the dog to walk up the lowered side to the center of the teeter, gain its balance, and tip the other end down before descending.

    Tunnel

    • The tunnel challenges dogs to navigate through a narrow passage.

      The tunnel is generally a wire coil covered in fabric through which the dog must navigate on command. A tunnel could also be made of large PVC piping connected with elbows to create bends in the path. The tunnel can range from 10 to 20 feet long and has an opening large enough for the dogs using it, for instance, 24 inches for smaller breeds or 36 inches for larger breeds.

    Bar Jumps

    • A bar jump is like a hurdle for humans but is set up between two platforms. The dog runs across one platform, jumps over the bar and lands on the second platform. The platforms are made of wood, usually 3 by 3 feet, and can be covered with carpet or Astro-turf for the dog's comfort. The bars are suspended in supporting beams, and are often made of PVC piping. The cross bar can be set at various heights, depending on the dog and its skill level.

    Tire Jump

    • Here an inflatable tube is used as a tire jump.

      The tire jump is a large ring suspended in a frame. The objective is for the dog to jump through the ring without touching it. An actual tire or any other sturdy, ring-shaped object can be used for a tire jump.