How to Make Canine Agility Equipment

Canine agility equipment is used to train a dog to compete in an agility competition. The competitions are a way to show off a dog's ability to run through an obstacle course of different challenges. Three of the common obstacles found in an agility course include hurdles that the dog must jump over, weave poles that it must maneuver through and tunnels that it must enter. To properly train a dog for competition, you will need your own equipment. Commercial equipment can be expensive. If you want to save money, you can make your own at home.

Things You'll Need

  • 15 PVC pipes
  • Rubber mallet
  • 2 corner PVC pipe connectors
  • 12 fiberglass tent poles
  • Red paint
  • Paintbrush
  • Child's vinyl play tunnel, 2' diameter
  • Tent stakes
  • Fishing line
  • Scissors
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Instructions

  1. Hurdle

    • 1

      Place two PVC pipes into the ground, spaced three feet apart. The pipes should each be two inches in diameter. The height of the poles should be as tall as your dog. If necessary, use a rubber mallet to insert the poles into the ground.

    • 2

      Place a corner PVC pipe connector onto the exposed end of each PVC pipe. The connector should point inward so the open ends of each of the connectors face one another.

    • 3

      Place another PVC pipe into the two open ends of the connectors so that the pipe is held between the two pipes you inserted in the ground in Step 1. Make sure this new pipe is secure in the connectors, using a rubber mallet to hammer it in if necessary. This will make your hurdle.

    Weave Poles

    • 4

      Use a rubber mallet to pound 12 fiberglass tent poles into the ground. The poles should each be three feet high and spaced 20 inches apart from one another. If the ground is soft, you can press them in to the soil. Fiberglass tent poles can be found at your local camping supply store and will "give" when your dog presses on them. If you cannot find these poles, you can use another type; just make sure they are flexible and are three feet in height.

    • 5

      Use red paint to make stripes on 12 PVC pipes. The pipes should be three feet tall and one inch in diameter. The exact size of the red stripes is up to you. Alternate the red paint with the white of the PVC piping. Paint a stripe around the pole, skip at least two inches and add another red stripe. Continue in this fashion until the entire pipe is painted. Allow it to dry completely. Do this with all 12 pipes. The red paint makes it easier for your dog to see the weave poles.

    • 6

      Put one of the painted PVC pipes onto one of the fiberglass tent poles. Do this with the remaining PVC pipes, so that you have one pipe on each pole. This will complete your weave poles. The pipes and poles can be removed and stored as necessary.

    Tunnel

    • 7

      Stretch a 10- to 20-foot child's play tunnel out on the ground. The tunnel should be vinyl and have the ability to bend or be left straight. Choose one that is two feet in diameter.

    • 8

      Use your rubber mallet to insert tent spikes around the outside of your tunnel, spaced every 24 inches, on each side.

    • 9

      Drape a three-foot piece of fishing line over the outstretched tunnel. Tie off the ends of the fishing line to the tent stakes. This will hold your tunnel in place.