Some dogs are just genetically built for agility and speed. Whether owners want to take advantage of that by enrolling them in competitive events or just enjoy some time with their furry friends while they get some energy out in the backyard, creating an agility course is a great way to get started. Read on to find out about some of the most common types of obstacles commonly seen in the competitive circuit for help with deciding how to start constructing a backyard course.
A-Frames
A-Frames are popular obstacles made from three-foot by nine-foot planks, and according to realtimecampaign.com, they're designed to challenge dogs with quick ascents and descents. Clearing this obstacle on a competitive circuit requires the dog to keep its paws within a certain zone. Trainers should look for backyard equipment that has this feature.
Tunnels
Most people wondering about “Dog Agility Training: Where To Begin With Your Dog” immediately think of tunnels, and they are commonly used in competition. The size and length of the tunnel vary depending on what level of competition the dog is entering. However, most are 24" in diameter and range from 10 to 20 feet.
Standard Jumps
To pass a standard jump, a competing dog must clear its height and width. These obstacles can be set up in multiple ways depending on the dog's size and level of competition, but most feature bars that the dog must clear vertically. Some competitions also use what is known as a spread jump to add horizontal distance.
Tire Jumps
Tire jumps are tubes with openings of between 19 and 24 inches. The purpose of this jump is to test a dog's ability to jump through a small target at speed. However, they are typically raised off the ground.
See Saws
See saws, also called teeter obstacles, are planks balanced on frames that work like the once-ubiquitous children's playground toy. The dog must run up the plank and stop at the other end to wait for it to touch the ground before moving on to clear the obstacle. Good training teeters are available at Activedogs.com.
Pause Tables
Pause tables are short tables that dogs must sit atop for five seconds in a particular position. Their purpose is to test control. Dogs can only clear the obstacle by stopping a full-speed run, coming to a complete stop, and waiting patiently to get the all-clear from their owners before continuing.
Weave Poles
Weave pole obstacles are made up of twelve to six poles set in a straight line. The poles are generally spaced 20-24" apart depending on the dog's size, with sizing charts available here. To clear the obstacle, the dog must enter from the left and weave between the poles until reaching the end.
Buy Quality Products
Dog owners who want to enter competitions need to take training seriously. That means purchasing high-quality agility training equipment, not creating potentially dangerous DIY courses. Look for a vendor that offers a range of products tailored to meet the size needs and competition levels of different breeds so it will be easy to find the right ones.
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