Does anyone build their own agility equipment?

Rip's Girl · 08-01-2004, 03:36 PM

I've spent several hours looking around on the internet for information on building agility equipment, and I was wondering if any of you guys have built/bought your own for training?

It sucks to be a teenager, 'cause I don't HAVE $300 for an A-Frame and $199.99 for a tunnel, $90 for a set of 3 jumps... Any suggestions? It doesn't have to be regulation, all I want to do is teach Ripley the commands, and if he does brilliantly mastering that and is a competitive dog, I'll pay for the regulation course. Until then, if you know of any inexpensive alternatives, let me know!

Rip's Girl · 08-01-2004, 03:40 PM

Also, I'm not what one would call mechanically creative. (understatement

) If you know of or have created any 'blueprints' for jumps, weaves, A-frames and dogwalks, please tell me about them! Thanks a bunch!

NicksBuddy · 08-01-2004, 08:09 PM

I built a mini-dog walk and a teeter. I bought a two different sets of weave poles and a set of jumps. That's as much equipment as I can stuff into our basement, which is our only practice area.

I didn't follow any plans for the what I built, but I have seen ads for them online. I just improvised based on pictures that I had seen in books, and adapted it to what I knew that I could build myself (using only hand tools). I never really built anything before, but I like problem solving, so I approached it that way. I didn't worry about regulation sizes, just went to HomeDepot and bought lumber that would fit in my (not very large) car, and some PVC to make the base for the teeter. My mini-dog walk is just three planks of board hinged together, and I support the center section with milkcrates.

You can train the A-frame using any stairs that you have in the house. Just tell your dog to "climb it" toss a treat to the top - then ask for a touch (or target) at the bottom, then a sit if you want to make sure they learn to stop in the contact area.

If you are building for a smaller dog, you should be able to cobble some things together without too much trouble. Nick is about 52lbs and the board that I originally bought wasn't sturdy enought to hold his weight. I had to by more so I could double everything up - a lot of extra work! His dog walk and teeter are about half the width that they would be in competition, and actually it works great. When we go to class, the obstacle there seem simple compared to what he does at home.

Tunnels you can get at any kids toy store for about 20.00, but I never bothered with those. My priority was to train weaves, and an automatic sit on all contacts.

I use the jumps to train handling signals, not to practice jumping, and to do this you need at least 3-4 of them so you can vary the patterns.

Hope this was some help.

08-01-2004, 03:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
Rip's Girl Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 2,580 Rep Power: 142	Does anyone build their own agility equipment? I've spent several hours looking around on the internet for information on building agility equipment, and I was wondering if any of you guys have built/bought your own for training? It sucks to be a teenager, 'cause I don't HAVE $300 for an A-Frame and $199.99 for a tunnel, $90 for a set of 3 jumps... Any suggestions? It doesn't have to be regulation, all I want to do is teach Ripley the commands, and if he does brilliantly mastering that and is a competitive dog, I'll pay for the regulation course. Until then, if you know of any inexpensive alternatives, let me know!
	__________________

08-01-2004, 03:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
Rip's Girl Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 2,580 Rep Power: 142	Also, I'm not what one would call mechanically creative. (understatement ) If you know of or have created any 'blueprints' for jumps, weaves, A-frames and dogwalks, please tell me about them! Thanks a bunch!
	__________________

08-01-2004, 08:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
NicksBuddy Australian Shepherd Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: MI Posts: 120 Rep Power: 85	I built a mini-dog walk and a teeter. I bought a two different sets of weave poles and a set of jumps. That's as much equipment as I can stuff into our basement, which is our only practice area. I didn't follow any plans for the what I built, but I have seen ads for them online. I just improvised based on pictures that I had seen in books, and adapted it to what I knew that I could build myself (using only hand tools). I never really built anything before, but I like problem solving, so I approached it that way. I didn't worry about regulation sizes, just went to HomeDepot and bought lumber that would fit in my (not very large) car, and some PVC to make the base for the teeter. My mini-dog walk is just three planks of board hinged together, and I support the center section with milkcrates. You can train the A-frame using any stairs that you have in the house. Just tell your dog to "climb it" toss a treat to the top - then ask for a touch (or target) at the bottom, then a sit if you want to make sure they learn to stop in the contact area. If you are building for a smaller dog, you should be able to cobble some things together without too much trouble. Nick is about 52lbs and the board that I originally bought wasn't sturdy enought to hold his weight. I had to by more so I could double everything up - a lot of extra work! His dog walk and teeter are about half the width that they would be in competition, and actually it works great. When we go to class, the obstacle there seem simple compared to what he does at home. Tunnels you can get at any kids toy store for about 20.00, but I never bothered with those. My priority was to train weaves, and an automatic sit on all contacts. I use the jumps to train handling signals, not to practice jumping, and to do this you need at least 3-4 of them so you can vary the patterns. Hope this was some help.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)