Agility equipment

[Mixy_Santaria]

I would like to start working w/ my hounds and possible my collies on agility. I'm sure that lots of people out there have built their own equipment. I would appreciate any tips and such that you can give me. This is mostly for fun b/c the hounds are mutt-coonhounds so they can't compete anywhere that I know of and I just don't know if Ryan will enjoy it or my new pup when he gets old enough.

I've started the girls on 'jump'. They jump up on this old log in our yard and then jump back down. They don't clear it very often, but it's a pretty good size. They will also do this w/ a bench outside.

[Novel]

A jump is pretty eacy to rig up. I put two T-posts in the ground (about 4' apart), and then tie a cross beam across with baler twine. I use a piece of PVC pipe from the hardware store, it's pretty inexpensive, light, round (no sharp edges) and won't break.

I've used the fiberglass posts, for portable electric fences, for weave poles. You can just put them where you want, and they usually cost about a $1 a piece.

Kids play tunnels make a great dog tunnel too. You can pick one up at Toys R Us for cheaper than you can pick up a "dog" one at the pet store.

The A frame and teeter totter are a little bit more involved, and as you get more interested in agility, that's some equipment you would want to buy or build to the specifics set by competition, as well as the other things should be changed over to regulation heights etc, as you get more and more competitive. But, to start out, you can use anything that works!

[Mixy_Santaria]

Cool. I think that I've still got the posts that my uncle made me when I wanted to jump my horse. Used those once, scared the living daylights out of us. LOL. 2ft log, no problem, 1ft jump w/ that thing, no way.

We've got plenty of scrap lumber that I can build the other things w/ when we are ready for that.

The main thing that I couldn't figure out was the poles. I was thinking small PCV stuck in cans w/ cement. Thanks so much. I'll just tackle one challenge at a time. I'll try to get the poles this weekend. So we can work on jump and weave first. Then I'll probably move to something else.

Any other helpful suggestions are sooo appreciated.

[Novel]

Although alittle bit clumsier, the driveway markers with the reflectors work also for weave poles.

[Mixy_Santaria]

Great. Are those very expensive?

[Novel]

Originally Posted by Mixy_Santaria

Great. Are those very expensive?

I think you can get them at Walmart for .99 a piece

[mulroony]

if you need weave poles, get soccer corner posts at most sports stores. almost the same thing, a little more expensive, but will last

[annie_so_pink]

I know of several websites that have agility equipment plans on how to make them. I am making my own equipment right now(so far I have made 2 bar jumps, and I've purchased a kid's play tunnel from KBToys, and next I'm going to build a dog-walk) If you would like the web addresses, PM me and I'll send them to you

[Mixy_Santaria]

Cool, thanks so much. I spent last night looking through my new book and it tells how to make all of that stuff.

Thanks for all of the advice so far. I'm going to try to just work on a couple things at once w/ the girls, I'll probably try to get some of the cheap weave poles to start the girls on and work on jumping w/ them. Thanks, Anne. I'll PM you about those. I'm open to all ideas.

[protodog]

FYI, you can compete in agility with a mixed breed, just not in the AKC. The UKC, NADAC, USDAA, and ASCA all allow spayed/neutered mixes to compete. Also, if you can find AKC fun matches in your area, you can put titles on mixes through the Mixed Breed Dog Clubs of America.

[Mixy_Santaria]

Highly doubtful that I will find matches in my area. I live in N. Central MO. Not much dog stuff going on very close to me. And to me, titling a mix is pointless. I just want to do the stuff at home to play, exercise, and help w/ their concentration on me and obedience. If they got good at it, and their were some matches close, like a hour or less, I might go to them. Thanks for the info.

[Novel]

I have family in Central MO, and I know they plan a match, trial or show every weekend this summer, most within an hour. Get on the akc website, www.akc.org, and you'll be surprised what is nearby!

[Mixy_Santaria]

Wow. That would be great. Of course, only my pure can compete in AKC, right. I doubt that any of them would be ready that quick, but maybe for next summer. I'll def. check it out.

BTW, I bought a hula hoop for the girls to go through yesterday. We can work on this inside. Dixie didn't seem to care about it one bit. She was like "You mean all I have to do to get the treat is to go through this thing. SWEET!" Jasmine pretty well hated the idea. It took about 10 min. just to get her to walk through it on the ground. I've never seen her neck stretch that far. LOL.

[Mixy_Santaria]

Ok, exactly what is rally?

And, when and if I go to enter an agility, how do I know what class to enter? All of the stuff I can find is confusing. I think they need a 'maiden' class, like in racing. LOL.

Yeah. There is alot of dog stuff in the St. Louis area. I'm 3 hours away, not worth the drive most of the time.