Backyard Agility Playground

[MyPemCharlie]

I am planning to put together a wobble board, weave poles, and some tunnels to start Charlie with a bit of agility training and fun. I was thinking about setting up some pvc frames without the jump poles just to get him running in between the poles.

I had an idea for an inexpensive tire jump, but sitting on the ground it would be 3-4" high. Also the wobble board could easily convert to a 3-4" pause table. Should I wait to start him on any jumps at all? He just turned 8 months old.

Overall, is it a better idea to start him with 3"-4" jumps, then move up to 8" overtime, or just wait until he's old enough to go straight to 8" obstacles (which I assume is 18-24 months old to be doing 8" jumps)?

Also I'd welcome any other "intro" agility equipment ideas that are appropriate for his young age.

[fogebotom]

There are several great sites out there that show you how to make it all!

Yes the wobble board could later on be converted in to a pause table.

Try google and either agility equipment plans or homemade......

We have made all of our 4-H equipment-teeter, dogwalk, jumps, pause, etc.

Have fun--I make two types of jumps and weaves and then put them in the kennel clubs raffle each year. I just love PVC ;0)

[MyPemCharlie]

Yes, I found several great sites to build my own equipment! Plus, I'm kind of a freak for a female...rather shop for a power tool at Home Depot than go shoe shopping.

My main question is whether or not I should start Charlie on any short jumping exercises (no more than 3-4") now, or leave the jumps out completely until his growth plates close around 6 months from now. He seems to love to jump when he's runnnig and playing, so I think he'd like some agility jumps...but definitely don't want to hurt him.

[fogebotom]

Start him a ground level and maybe up to 3" until he is at least 18 mos old. Then start going up in 2" increments till he's slightly jumping higher then he should. It's always easier to teach him to jump higher and then lower it slightly. They will clear the bars better.

[MyPemCharlie]

OK. Thanks again! I think I will go ahead with a tire jump and just have it touching the ground, so it would be about 3" to get through it. Everything else would be shorter or ground level to start.

[Peggy]

Chris, try this site for ideas:
Liz pix

Peggy

[LaRogue]

Are you planing on taking a couple of pics when you start? I would love to see Charlie learning agility. I'm always looking for reason for corgi pictures

[MyPemCharlie]

Thanks for the link Peggy!

LaRogue, I'll try to take pics when I get a couple of pieces built. I always have a hard time catching Charlie "in action" with my camera though. He's too fast running out of frame; I'm too slow pressing the shutter button! I'm likely to end up with pictures of equipment and no dog.

[LaRogue]

He's too fast running out of frame; I'm too slow pressing the shutter button! I'm likely to end up with pictures of equipment and no dog.

I can't get action shots either. If your pictures turn out to be of equipment we can still admire your handiwork with the powertools!