Dog agility equipment can be expensive, especially if you’re serious about getting your dog competition-ready. But it’s possible to find affordable agility equipment that will help you practice the basics at home.
This set includes an adjustable jump, weave poles, a tire jump, and a tunnel that meets competition standards and is easy to assemble.
Look for Deals
Agility is a fun and competitive sport in which dogs of all sizes navigate obstacles as quickly as possible. Although the equipment is expensive, a lot of it can be bought on sale or even built from PVC pipes at home. However, before investing in any agility gear, it’s crucial to determine if your dog has the right temperament for the sport. Some breeds are delicate and may not do well running through a tunnel or jumping on a table.
Many people begin their agility journey with a basic set of equipment that includes an open tunnel, two types of jumps, and weave poles. According to Arden and Mapes, the most important thing is ensuring the equipment is safe for your pup. For example, if you buy a jump that needs to be sturdy, your dog might get hurt or become discouraged by the equipment and stop training.
This 28-piece kit is ideal for newbies for helping owners who have aggressive dogs in Wilmington because it requires no assembly and meets the NADAC equipment specifications. It includes a regulation-size tunnel, two bar jumps, an adjustable tire jump, six fixed-base weave poles, a pause box, string and stakes, a whistle, and multiple storage bags. It’s also lightweight and portable, making it easy to take to outdoor locations for practice.
Recycle
Dog agility training gives dogs an outlet for natural physical activity and helps owners bond with them. But it’s important to realize that a good deal of equipment is needed for your dog to succeed at this sport, and it can be expensive.
Luckily, many dog agility obstacles can be made from recycled materials. For example, a dog tunnel can be fashioned out of children’s play tunnels, which are usually inexpensive. In addition, the most affordable dog agility equipment can be weighed down with sandbags or stakes to make it stable for use on uneven surfaces. It also makes it easier to assemble and collapse the equipment when not in use.
Essential dog agility equipment is open tunnels, jumps, and weave poles. Many pet owners starting with agility, purchase a training version of this equipment (not up to competition standards) and eventually upgrade their gear as they progress. Depending on your pup’s abilities, you can add obstacles like the dog walk, A-frame, or seesaw, typically the most expensive equipment.
Another obstacle often found on dog agility courses is the pause table. This short table tests your dog’s ability to stop standing or sitting during a speed competition. It is an excellent exercise for rambunctious dogs, and it’s also a good way to prep your dog for other agility obstacles that require climbing with all four paws, such as the teeter-totter or A-frame.
Build Your Own
Agility is an expensive sport for owners and dogs, between classes, trials, travel, and equipment costs. Even if you aren’t planning on competing, an agility course in your backyard can give your dog plenty of exercise and fun. However, the specialized equipment required for the sport is costly and space-consuming. For those on a tight budget, you can use several DIY hacks to make cheap dog agility equipment at home using items most people already have in their homes or garden shed.
For example, you can build your teeter-totter by repurposing an old table from your garage or basement and attaching it to two end caps and a bungee cord. Another option is to use children’s hula hoops or pool noodles, which can be flipped upside down as an agility ladder and are much cheaper than a dedicated teeter-totter.
You can also find inexpensive dog agility equipment sets online that you can assemble at home. Some come with a carrying bag and are designed for training at home, while others can be taken on the road to training sessions. For example, the better sporting dogs deluxe agility equipment set is reasonably priced and recommended by professional trainers.
It includes an open tunnel, a bar jump, 6-pole weave poles, and other equipment that meets the American Kennel Club’s agility trials and competition specifications. While this equipment will serve poorly as a practice course for advanced dogs, it can be used by newcomers to the sport until their dogs are ready to move on to more difficult obstacles such as an a-frame and a dog walk.
Shop Around
When it comes to dog agility equipment, many retailers offer a variety of items. Some sell items designed for dogs of all sizes and skill levels, while others focus on meeting specific breeds’ needs. Shop around and compare prices, features, and usability before purchasing.
Affordable agility, for example, carries equipment for dogs up to 100 lbs and offers various accessories, including A-frames, seesaws, tables, and tunnels. Beverly Mapes warns consumers to ensure that any item used for contact obstacles, like a seesaw or A-frame, has heavy bases securely anchored with stakes and affixed to the ground with weights.
Other affordable options include a 28-piece dog agility set. While it doesn’t come with every piece of equipment that a competition dog agility course requires, it does include a bar jump, a tire jump, six weave poles, and a pause box. The kit is adjustable to meet a range of skill levels, including beginner, and the tunnels are designed to run up to 11 feet long. They’re also lightweight, easy to assemble, and durable for recreational training.
