How-To Guide: Dog Agility Equipment

Dog Agility Equipment Out of PVC Pipes

Every member of the family needs regular exercise, and your dog is no exception. Weave poles made out of PVC pipe are a great way for your pet to stay in shape, and they only take a few hours to put together. Here’s how: 

Step 1

First, either purchase pre-cut PVC pieces or cut them yourself using 1.5-inch thick pipes. You’ll need:

    • Five 18.5-inch pieces
    • Two 12-inch pieces
    • Two 24-inch pieces
    • Six 40-inch pieces
    • Two end caps
    • Two elbow connectors
    • Six T-shaped connectors (“tees”)

 

You will also need a drill and a few one-inch setscrews. When you are done, your project will consist of a base and six weave poles to help keep your dog agile. 

Step 2

It is important that the base of the weave pole is set up in a way that the poles won’t spin, so you’ll need to connect each one of the 18.5-inch pieces to a tee. Use a block to secure the tee and gently tap each PVC piece with a hammer to make sure it fits tightly into the tee. Then drill a small (1/16-inch) hole through the tee into the pipe and use a 1-inch setscrew to make sure the pipe and tee are securely connected. Keep doing this until all of the 18.5-inch pieces are connected with the tees in one long line. 

Step 3

Next, insert a 12-inch PVC piece into the tee at either end of the line, and use the elbow connector to connect the 12-inch pieces with the 24-inch pieces. Place an end cap on the exposed end of each 24-inch piece to complete the base. Make sure the ends of the base face in the opposite direction so that the base forms a sort of “Z” shape.

Lay your base on a flat surface. You should see six empty holes in the tees; this is where the 40-inch pieces will be inserted. Again, use a hammer to gently tap the 40-inch pieces in place. Drill a hole at the spot where each 40-inch piece fits into the tee, and then use 1-inch setscrews to secure those connections.

Step 4

For added stability, drill a 1/16-inch hole through both ends of the elbow connectors and then sink a 1-inch setscrew through each end. If you want to dress up the weave poles, you can wrap two strips of thin blue tape at the top and bottom of each 40-inch piece, with another strip around the center. 

According to the American Kennel Club, while exercise can greatly benefit the mental and physical health of your dog, it is important that you speak to your vet before starting any sort of vigorous program. There are several factors you will need to keep in mind, including your pet’s current activity level, age and overall health.

Once you get your dog started on the weave poles, it will more than likely want to use them a great deal. It will be important to keep a close eye on your dog to make sure it’s not overdoing it. If you notice your dog beginning to pant rapidly, take a break for a while.


For a printable version of this how-to guide, click here.