Club-Doggie recommends that you obtain your own practice equipment as space and finances allow. We promote the below-referenced companies because we’ve purchased equipment from them ourselves and find it to be of the highest quality. The entire purchase price goes to the manufacturer; we do not make commission. Our aim is for you to have best possible equipment for practicing.
If purchasing competition-grade agility equipment is not feasible at this time, then of course you can substitute do-it-yourself or similar purchased equipment made with PVC, and built according to AKC Dog Agility Equipment Specifications or USDAA Dog Agility Equipment Specifications. Whatever you choose, we want you to be successful!
Where to Buy Agility Equipment:
Action K9 has been producing the finest dog agility equipment since 1989. Action K9 Sports Equipment is recommended and used by top agility instructors, training schools and clubs, including Club-Doggie. Action K9 Sports Equipment is made to AKC, CPE, NADAC, UKC, USDAA, or FCI specifications. For more information about the competition grade equipment Action K9 Agility Equipment builds and for prices, please visit the website.
Desert Paws Agility Equipment
Desert Paws’ competition grade equipment is designed to stand up to the rigors of heavy training and/or trialing, and built for trainers that conduct classes with multiple students and dogs, agility clubs that will be using their equipment for training and/or trialing throughout the year, or personal individual training use in your own backyard. All equipment is constructed to the specifications of the sanctioning organization you choose, AKC, USDAA, NADAC, or other. For more information about the competition grade equipment Desert Paws Agility Equipment builds and for prices, please visit the website.
Types of Agility Equipment:
Contact Obstacles
A-Frame
The A-Frame is constructed of two broad ramps, usually about 3 feet wide by 8 to 9 feet long, hinged together and raised so that the hinged connection is between five and six-and-a-quarter feet above the ground (depending on the organization), roughly forming an A shape.
The bottom 36 to 42 inches of both sides of the A-Frame are painted a bright color, usually yellow, forming the contact zone, onto which the dog must place at least one paw while ascending and descending. Many sanctioning organizations require that A-frames have low profile, narrow, horizontal slats all along their length to assist the dog’s grip going up and down, and many venues require a rubberized surface.
Dog Walk
The Dog Walk is constructed of three 8 to 12 foot planks, 9 to 12 inches wide, connected at the ends. The center plank is raised to about 4 feet above the ground, so that the two end planks form ramps leading up to and down from the center plank.
The Dog Walk also has contact zones. Many sanctioning organizations require that Dog Walks have low profile and narrow, horizontal slats all along their length to assist the dog’s grip going up and down. And many organizations require a rubberized surface.
Teeter (Seesaw, Teeter-Totter)
The Teeter is constructed of 10-to-12-foot plank pivoting on a fulcrum, much like a child’s seesaw. It is constructed slightly off-balance so that the same end always returns to the ground. This is done either by placing the support slightly off-center or else weighting one end of the board.
This obstacle also has contact zones. However, unlike the other contact obstacles, the teeter-totter does not have slats. Many organizations require a rubberized surface.
The balance point and the weight of the plank must be such that even a tiny dog, such as a Chihuahua, can cause the high end of the Teeter to descend to the ground within a reasonable amount of time, specified by the sanctioning organization’s rules (usually about 3 seconds). Smaller dogs get more time to run a course, and this is one reason why it can take them longer than it takes larger dogs.
Tunnels
Tunnel
The Tunnel is constructed of vinyl tube, 10 to 20 feet long and about 2 feet in diameter, through which the dog runs. The tunnel is constructed of a wire frame, covered in flexible vinyl, such that it can be configured in a straight line, or in a variety of curves.
Note the sandbags on both sides to prevent tunnel movement.
Chute (Collapsed Tunnel, Cloth Tunnel)
The Chute is constructed of rigid, barrel-like cylinder with a tube of fabric attached around one end. The fabric extends about 8 to 12 feet and lies closed until the dog runs into the open end of the chute and pushes his way out through the fabric tube.
Jumps
Jump (Hurdle)
The Jump or Hurdle consists of two uprights supporting a horizontal bar over which the dog jumps. The height is adjusted for dogs of different heights. The uprights can be simple stanchions or can have wings of various shapes, sizes, and colors.
Panel Jump
Instead of horizontal bars, the Panel Jump consists of a solid panel from the ground up to the jump height, constructed of several short panels that can be removed to adjust the height for different dog heights.
Double or Triple Jump (Spread Jump)
The Double or Triple Jump is constructed of two uprights supporting two or three horizontal bars spread forward or back from each other. The double can have parallel or ascending horizontal bars; the triple always has ascending bars. The spread between the horizontal bars is sometimes adjusted based on the height of the dog.
Broad Jump (Long Jump)
The Broad Jump is constructed of set of four or five slightly raised platforms that form a broad area over which the dog must jump without setting their feet on any of the platforms. The length of the jump is adjusted for the dog’s height.
Tire Jump
The Tire Jump is constructed of torus shape roughly the size of a car tire (18 inches to 24 inches inside diameter), suspended in a frame. The dog must jump through the opening of the “tire”. Like other jumps, the height is adjusted for dogs of different sizes. The tire is usually wrapped with tape both for visibility and to cover any openings or uneven places in which the dog could catch. Many organizations now allow or require a so-called displaceable or breakaway tire, where the tire comes apart in some way if the dog hits it hard enough.
Other Hurdles
UKC agility allows a variety of hurdles not found in other agility organizations: bush hurdle, high hurdle, log hurdle, picket fence hurdle, rail fence hurdle, long hurdle, window hurdle, and water hurdle.
Miscellaneous
Pause Table
The Pause Table (or Table) is an elevated square platform about 3-foot-by-3-foot square onto which the dog must jump and pause, either sitting or in a down position, for a designated period of time which is counted out by the judge, usually about 5 seconds. The height ranges from about 8 to 30 inches depending on the dog’s height and sponsoring organization.
Pause Box
The Pause Box is variation on the pause table. The pause box is a square marked off on the ground, usually with plastic pipe or construction tape, where the dog must perform the “pause” behavior (in either a sit or a down) just as he would on the elevated table.
Weave Poles
The Weave Poles are similar to a slalom, a series of 5 to 12 upright poles, each about 3 feet tall and spaced about 24 inches apart. The dog must always enter with the first pole to his left, and must not skip poles. For many dogs, weave poles are one of the most difficult obstacles to master.
Other Obstacles
UKC agility allows the following obstacles not found in other agility organizations: swing plank, sway bridge, and platform jump.
NADAC also uses a hoop obstacle. A “Hoopers” course consists entirely of hoops, but hoops may be used in other courses as well.
References for Agility Equipment – Specifications for various organizations:
Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA)
Canine Performance Events (CPE)
- Download: CPE Rulebook (1441 downloads)
North American Dog Agility Council (NADAC)
Teacup Dogs Agility Association (TDAA)
- Download: Teacup Agility Rulebook (1417 downloads)