Different Types Of Dog Agility Equipment

By Cheng Bernhardt


If you have a high energy dog, then you know how important it is that they have daily exercise. Agility training is an excellent outlet for these types of dogs, as it not only provides exercise, it provides the type of exercise that dogs truly crave. They love jumping, running and crawling, and they love the praise they receive for a job well done. If you are planning on setting up a dog agility course at your home, here is some information about the many types of equipment that you might consider purchasing.

A dog jump is an excellent piece of starter equipment. These are typically made out of PVC and can be adjusted to suit your dog's level of experience or ability level. Once they have learned how to complete one jump, you can add a second jump and then a third. Eventually they can complete a series of jumps in a row, or you can intersperse the jumps with other pieces of equipment just as would happen at a real agility competition.

The adjustable jumps are just one kind of jump, there are also tire jumps to consider. These jumps include a sturdy stand made from PVC with a tire attached by sturdy ropes which are tethered to each corner of the stand. You could also create a version of this by hanging a tire from a tree in your yard, but if you eventually set up a course, it can be more convenient to have a stand that can be moved anywhere you want. If your dog is quite small, don't worry, there are mini jumps, both tire and regular, that have been created just for them.

The teeter totter is an obstacle that is fun to watch your dog navigate, but it can be a bit intimidating for your animal at first simply because this obstacle moves and that can be a bit scary. You can begin by having them walk across the teeter while it is level and flat on the ground and then after they seem comfortable with the teeter, put it on the frame at the lowest level and practice until your dog can navigate the equipment comfortably. Then you can continue to make adjustments until your dog can complete the teeter totter at full height.

Weaves are another exciting obstacle that your dog will enjoy, but these are perhaps the most complicated obstacle for dogs to learn. However, once they master this skill, it is quite impressive to watch them go in and out of the weaves. These can be placed directly into the ground at carefully spaced intervals or you can purchase a weave with a base. Weaves typically either have six weaves or 12 weaves for your dog to navigate.

One easy way to get going is to purchase a starter kit from an agility equipment specialist such as Carson-Agility.com. You can find starter kits that include four jumps and a weave or perhaps opt for a kit that includes a weave, a teeter and a tire jump. There is also a starter kit that substitutes four jumps for the tire jump.




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