Building a Dog Obstacle Course

Are you looking for a new way to train your dog and give them some more unique ways to get them their exercise? If you want your dog to more agile and smart, having them practice on obstacle courses is a great way to start. Building your own obstacle course is a fun way to get your dog moving. These courses can also help you build trust with your pup and get out any pent up energy your dog may have. Sometimes the equipment for courses can be experience, but luckily there are easy ways you can create your own course with items you have or a few simple purchases. Here’s what you need to gather to get your course started!

Jumps

One aspect involved in a course is a jump. These need to be set up so that if your dog hits it, the bar easily falls. You don’t want the bar/jump to be too solid, or your dog could really hurt themselves if they hit it. You can buy pre-made jumps or you can build one yourself. Head to your local hardware store and find some PVC pipes. Then set them up for the proper height and width of your dog. Follow this guide to learn how to build them correctly. You want your dog to be able to comfortably jump between the two bars. Find lightweight or portable bars so you can easily move them around in your course.

Tunnels

Tunnels can be hard for dogs in the beginning, since it is an enclosed and dark space. Make sure the tunnel you get is wide and sturdy so it doesn’t fall on your dog when they’re running through. Invest in a study material so it stays up right and also doesn’t rip from your dog’s nails. It is pretty challenging to create your own tunnel, so we recommend you just buy one or repurpose another item for this use. Some dog tunnels can be quite expensive, but you can find cheaper options as well. If you have a children’s tunnel, this can work too! You can find children’s play tunnel at stores or online for about $20-$30.

Weave Poles

Weave poles are another great item to add to have your dog work on their agility. You need a balance when it comes to the sturdiness of these poles. They should be secure enough they don’t fall over every time your dog bumps into one, but they also shouldn’t be too hard that your dog could get hurt running into one. You can buy a kit of poles or you can easily create these poles with PCV pipe. Just stick them in the ground and you’re ready to go! Set them up so there is enough space between the poles for your dog to run through safely. Another option if you’re not training your dog for a serious competition are orange traffic cones.

Now that you have all the elements, you’re ready to set up the yard! Be sure to do a walk through of your yard or where ever you are setting the course up. Be sure there are no divots or holes that your dog could get hurt in. Set up the items, rotating between roles, jumps, and tunnels. Your dog should have a blast trying out all this new fun! Good luck!