Instructions for Metal Weave Poles

Weave poles for dog agility training can be made of metal pipes or rods. Individually placed poles are inexpensive to make but take time to set up correctly and must be driven into the ground. Poles on a strip take more time and money to make but are quick to set up and can be used on hard surfaces indoors or outdoors. Either type can be used to train dogs to weave for agility competitions.

Things You'll Need

  • 6 1-inch metal pipes or poles
  • Hacksaw
  • Rasp
  • Hammer or mallet, optional
  • 6 to 12 metal or rubber caps
  • Longitudinal metal strip, 3/8 inch thick
  • Drill
  • 1/2-inch countersink drill bit
  • 1/2-inch regular drill bit
  • 6 bolts, 1/2 inch
  • 6 nuts, 1/2 inch
  • 3 metal strips, 3/8-by-12 inches
  • White spray paint for outdoor metal use
  • Colored 1-inch tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Determine the requirements for your poles. Different agility show organizations have different specifications for equipment.

    • 2

      Determine what kind of metal you wish to use for your poles. Use rigid metal tubing for a lighter, less expensive pole or a round metal rod if weight and price are less important.

    • 3

      Cut your poles using a hacksaw. They should be 42 inches long if you are planning to pound them into the ground or 36 inches long if you want to add them to a strip. Trim and smooth any sharp burrs from the cut ends with a rasp. Add metal or rubber caps to the top ends of the poles.

    • 4

      Drive your individual poles into the ground to a depth of 6 inches at the appropriate intervals for your agility organization. Tie a rope between the two end poles to create a straight line, then add the middle poles. Remove the rope before using the poles. Measure and mark the proper distances between poles on the bottom of your base strip if you are making a strip of poles.

    • 5

      Use a drill with a ½-inch countersink bit to make holes on the underside of your strip at the proper intervals. Drill ½-inch holes through the end of six metal or rubber end caps. Thread a ½-inch, flat-head bolt in three of the four middle holes on the bottom of your strip and up through the bottom of the end caps. Place a ½-inch nut on the end of the bolts inside the caps.

    • 6

      Drill a ½-inch hole through the middle of the 12-inch stabilizer strips. Thread a ½-inch, flat-head bolt through a stabilizer strip, the longitudinal strip and the cap at each end and one middle hole. Place a ½-inch nut on the end of the bolts inside the caps.

    • 7

      Place the 36-inch-long poles into the affixed caps on the strip to complete your weave pole strip setup.

    • 8

      Spray-paint your poles white. Wrap colored tape on each pole to create two or three horizontal stripes as desired for increased visibility.