Dog Agility A-Frame Instructions

An A-frame agility obstacle can provide your dog with constructive exercise. You can purchase A-frame structures, but building your own lets you customize the frame and save money. Building the frame requires no special skills, so any person with a do-it-yourself personality and tools can easily build a serviceable agility A-frame structure. Safety is an important concern with the structure, so build a sturdy A-frame with quality materials or it could collapse and seriously injure your dog.

Things You'll Need

  • Saw
  • Plywood
  • Two-by-fours
  • Sandpaper
  • Wood screws
  • Drill
  • Wood trim
  • Eyebolts
  • Chain
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut two pieces of plywood to 6 feet long and 3 feet wide. Cut four pieces of two-by-four to 3 feet, and another four pieces of two-by-four to 5 feet 8.5 inches. Sand the edges of the wood to remove splinters.

    • 2

      Set two pieces of the 3-foot-long two-by-fours 5 feet 8.5 inches apart, parallel of each other. Set the two pieces of 5-foot-8.5-inch two-by-four between the parallel pieces. Position the longer pieces of two-by-four so one of them rests at the far right of the smaller two-by-fours while the other rests on the left side, creating a square frame.

    • 3

      Drill two wood screws through each end of the two 3-foot-long two-by-fours. The screws should reach all the way through the 3-foot-long two-by-four and into the ends of the 5-foot-8.5-inch two-by-fours, securing them in place. Create a second identical wood square with the remaining pieces of two-by-four.

    • 4

      Cut four pieces of two-by-four to a length of 2 feet 8.5 inches. Place two of these boards between each of the wood squares so they stretch between the longer boards. Space the boards evenly within the wooden square, and secure them in place with two screws on each end.

    • 5

      Place the pieces of plywood over each wood square so they completely cover the squares frames beneath. Cut 14 pieces of 1-inch-wide wood trim 3 feet long.

    • 6

      Place a piece of trim horizontally along the length of the plywood boards at 1-foot intervals, starting at the edge. Drill through the trim 1/2 inch from the ends of the trim, through the plywood and into the two-by-four beneath, effectively securing the trim and the plywood to the wood frame below.

    • 7

      Flip one of the wood constructs over so the two-by-fours beneath show. Place the other wood construct over the first so the plywood faces up. Install two hinges on one of the short sides of the wooden constructs.

    • 8

      Flip the top construct over so they both have the two-by-fours showing. Install an eye bolt onto each of the 5-foot-8.5-inch two-by-fours at the center. The hook on the eyebolt should face the inside of each wooden construct.

    • 9

      Thread a nut onto the ends of the eyebolts to secure them in place. Flip over the construct and lift it from the center. Lift it until there is 8.5 feet between the two sides of the construct touching the floor.

    • 10

      Thread a length of chain between the eyebolts on the left side of the construct and the right side of the construct. The chain should hang taut between the two wooden constructs to help it stand properly.

    • 11

      Move the construct to a grassy area and allow your dog to run over it. Constricting the wire between the eyebolts makes it steeper, which can offer more of a challenge to your dog.