Q: How to build your own agility course in your backyard?
I mean making your own. like using stuff you can find at garage sales or around the house.
First, what are the names of all the things used in a real agility course? How may I go about building all of them?
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Answers and Views:
Answer by Anna
Hey, I was going to ask this question, well not so much as how but for ideas about what to use. So far I have two barrels(50-gallon plastic)I got them from the place I work(for free) They are food-grade barrels(I will fill them with water for more stability). I am planning on placing a wide wooden plank across the top of the barrels, and on each end, I will place a wide plank on one barrel and the other end on the ground to act kind of like a bridge. You walk your dog up the plank then across then down, I do not remember what they call this. Planning on getting another which I will cut the ends off place on the ground with a cement block on each side to keep it in place, For my dog to go through(kind of like a tunnel).
At the farm supply store, I will be picking up some small metal fence post a dozen should do to make the thing your dogs weave through. A friend suggested I get some plastic plumbing pipes and some 2X4's to make jumps(the plastic piping would be what the dog jumps over and it would be adjustable.)I do not have any ideas yet on what to use for the tetter-totter or the A-frame. Good Luck I will be watching for other people's ideas.
Despite what some of the others have to say I have done Obedience classes with my dog and some agility as well and I do not remember the names of the equipment sorry, also the place where i did this had made most of their own equipment and it can be as safe or safer than the stuff you buy online or from catalogs. But I do agree with the training part your dog can get badly hurt if you do some of this stuff wrong.
Also, your dog could get very scared and refuse to do any of this. My GSD had to work up to some of these things she was very scared to do the bridge thing but we (the trainer) coaxed her across and after several weeks she was willing to cross without being coaxed. Some of the equipment was off-limits for my dog until she was older(A-frame, really high jumps, and the tetter-totter)because it would put too much stress on her growing joints.
Answer by Anya D
Look at this: easy-to-build agility courses at Amazon (#ad)
1) there's always a tube-like thing that the dog is supposed to run through. you could use a large garbage bin with no top or bottom…like those giant plastic ones.
2) there are always jumps over bars. you could possibly put a broomstick on paint cans. secure them somehow to the cans so the stick stays in place. maybe just plain old duct tape would do it. you could also use different sized cans to make some lower and some higher. of course, take into account how tall your dog is!
3) they have this thing like 2 boards set at an angle against each other. the dog has to run up one side and then down the other. that would have to be 2 boards. maybe you could attach them together with 2 cheap hinges. make sure you secure the base somehow so it can support the weight of your dog.
Answer by brown eyed girl
Hey, that's a great idea. I don't know what all that stuff is called but just wanted to let you know that I like your idea!!
Maybe you can try branches, leftover wood if you have any, etc. But I don't know how safe that would be...
Know better? Give your own answer to this question!
Rayven-Fried Sea Kit says
You don't just up and decide to do agility one day and build your own equipment. You start by putting your dog into obedience classes if it hasn't been through them already. Then you sign up for classes with an agility trainer after figuring out under which organization you will be doing agility as they each have their own rules and set ups.
And unless you are dealing with someone who has band their own equipment and knows what they are doing it is advised to BUY the proper equipment to prevent injury to your dog.
Lauren says
Not true. I have made tons of agility equipment for my dog and she's done absolutely fantastic. I do have a trainer now, but my dog and I worked on the basics (like the wait table, jumps, etc) that I built myself before we worked with her. I advise NOT to buy equipment because you don't need competition grade stuff. You can make safe equipment yourself, just make sure you do a lot of research. Ie: anything with sharp edges is a no-no, you need to file it. Make sure your jump poles fall off the jump cup if the dog accidently hits it. Make sure your tire jump is secured on the top and bottom and start slow with that one. For tunnels you can buy a kids play tunnel (mine is a 12' one from Toys R Us) but MAKE SURE you have tie downs for it so it won't roll over. I use treat bags filled with rocks connected by a leash. Broad Jumps are easily made as are weave poles and basic one pole jumps with PVC pipe. Some of the other stuff is a bit more difficult. One site I love is instantagility.com which is where I figured out how to build my jumps. I didn't figure out the jump cups though and bought mine pretty cheap online. I now have 7 bar jumps and love making them.
Aj says
You need to loosen up………you can make your own course, save money and be safe!
Kip's Mom *** says
The names and types of obstacles depend on the organization you are involved with.
Now, I could tell you how to build a lot of them, or tell you where to go for plans.
However.
You obviously do not how to train a dog for agility if you don't know the names of the obstacles, and thus, you do not know how to do it SAFELY.
Please, if you want to get involved in agility, take a class. That will teach you how to teach the dog safely, and teach you how to run a course.