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8 DIY Dog Agility Course Equipment Plans (With Pictures)

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

dog agility course

Whether just for fun or to train your dog to be part of shows, having a dog agility course in your backyard can be a great way to offer your dog exercise, training, and quality bonding time.

As you go about setting up your agility course, you may notice that the price of equipment can start to really add up. However, with creativity, craft skills, and a bit of effort, you can make your own dog agility equipment for much less.

With our comprehensive list of free and easy-to-DIY dog agility course equipment plans, you won’t have to jump through hoops to set up a fun layout of challenges and obstacles for your dog. We’ve included a variety of ideas for all skill levels using a plethora of materials, from PVC pipes and wood to items from around the house.

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The 8 DIY Dog Agility Course Equipment Plans

1. DIY Dog Agility Course, From This Old House

DIY Dog Agility Course
Image Credit: This Old House

Using PVC pipes, This Old House provides detailed DIY dog agility course plans with helpful pictures to make three key obstacles for your backyard dog agility course. You’ll be able to make an agility jump, weave poles, and a teeter-totter. These plans result in sturdy, durable builds.

Skill Level: Moderate

Tools
  • Pull saw
  • Drill
  • Drill bits
  • Combination square
  • Hammer
  • Woodblock
Supplies
  • PVC pipe and connectors
  • PVC cement
  • Wood plank
  • Paint
  • Colored tape

2. Dog Agility Course at Home, by Natural Dog Owner

DIY Dog Agility Course at Home
Image Credit: Natural Dog Owner

You’ll be able to set up your DIY dog agility course using the suggestions and plans supplied by Natural Dog Owner. Every obstacle you’ll need for a complete course is covered in this article. Learn how to set up weave poles out of PVC pipes, a standard jump using cinder blocks, and a tire jump made out of a tire or a hula hoop, along with tunnels, a teeterboard, a pause table, and a dog walk.

Skill Level: Easy to Moderate

Materials
  • PVC cutter or saw
  • Rubber mallet
Tools
  • Cinder blocks
  • Wood
  • Plywood
  • Broomstick
  • Tire
  • Hula hoop
  • Flexible sewer piping
  • Rope
  • PVC pipes
  • Connectors and caps
  • PVC cement
  • Paint
  • Anti-skid additive
  • A small coffee table
  • Picnic bench

3. Clean and Dirty Jumps, by Helix Fairweather

DIY Cheap and Dirty Jumps
Image Credit: Members Peak

Learn how to build dog agility equipment with hurdles with a few simple materials. Helix Fairweather has straightforward plans, including a clever way to use office supply clips as a crossbar hold. You can jump for joy too, because it’s easy on your budget and won’t take you long to construct.

Skill Level: Easy to Moderate

Tools
  • PVC cutter
  • Rubber mallet
Supplies
  • Fence posts
  • PVC pipe and caps
  • 2” binder clips
  • Electrical tape

4. Tire Jump, by Camp Bandy Pet Resort

DIY Tire Jump
Image Credit: Camp Bandy Pet Resort

If you want to challenge your dog with a brightly colored and exciting tire jump obstacle, these plans by Camp Bandy Pet Resort offer all the measurements and detailed instructions you’ll need. Also, you won’t need an old tire because a drainage pipe is used to make the ring.

Skill Level: Moderate to Expert

Tools
  • Saw or PVC pipe cutter
  • Drill
  • Drill bits
  • Screwdriver
  • Tape measure/yardstick
  • Marker
  • White-Out
Supplies
  • PVC pipe
  • Connectors and end caps
  • Eye bolts
  • Wing toggles
  • Washers
  • Drainage pipe
  • Bungees
  • Landscaping chain
  • Carabiner
  • Cable ties
  • PVC cement
  • Colorful duct tape

5. DIY Dog Agility A-Frame, by Instructables

DIY Dog Agility A-Frame
Image Credit: Autodesk Instructables

An A-Frame is a must-have for any dog agility course worth its weight in dog treats. With a certain amount of woodworking knowledge, you can save money by making your own contact obstacle. Instructibles provide step-by-step instructions, along with plenty of useful pictures.

Skill Level: Expert

Tools
  • Miter saw
  • Drill
  • Drill bit
  • Sandpaper
  • Paint supplies
  • Screwdriver
  • Measuring tape
Supplies
  • Wood
  • Plywood
  • Molding
  • Hinges
  • Hook bolts
  • Chain
  • Wood glue
  • Screws
  • Nails
  • Exterior paint
  • Dry sand
  • Pool noodle

6. DIY Agility Dog Walk, From the Dog Blog

If you prefer DIY plans in video form, the Dog Blog offers an excellent “how to build dog agility equipment” video for making a cute yet sturdy dog walk. The video is easy to follow and full of helpful tips.

Skill Level: Moderate

Tools
  • PVC cutter or saw
  • Rubber mallet
  • Screwdriver
  • Paint supplies
Supplies
  • PVC pipes
  • Elbow joints and T-pieces
  • Three wood planks
  • Door hinges
  • Paint

7. DIY Cavaletti by Kelly’s Dog Blog

DIY Cavaletti
Image Credit: Kelley’s Dog Blog

A cavaletti is basically a succession of low-to-the-ground hurdles that improve your dog’s footfall and timing. To make these quick and fun hurdles for your dog’s agility course, Kelly’s Dog Blog repurposes plastic baskets. While the hurdles in this article are made from PVC pipe, you could use broomsticks or even yardsticks.

Skill Level: Easy

Tools
  • PVC cutter or saw
Supplies
  • Plastic baskets
  • PVC pipe
  • Colorful electrical tape or duct tape

8. A Garden Dog Walk from Agility Bits

DIY Garden Dog Walk
Image By: Agility Bits

If you have medium to large dogs, this sturdy dog walk design from Agility Bits is built to last and will hold up in windy weather. You’ll need to be handy with working with wood to follow these plans, though Agility Bits does offer an easy shortcut if you’re willing to buy builder’s trestles or a pair of sawhorses. Yoga mats provide traction on the ramps.

Skill Level: Expert

Tools
  • Miter saw
  • Screwdriver
  • Drill
  • Drill bits
  • Sandpaper
  • Paint supplies
Supplies
  • Wood boards
  • Plywood
  • Molding
  • Door hinges or right-angle brackets
  • Paint
  • Yoga mats

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Final Thoughts

There you have it! 8 DIY plans for dog agility courses you can make at home today. No matter your DIY skill level, one of the plans above should be ideal, and you can always enlist the help of family and friends if you need an extra pair of hands.


Featured Image Credit: Anja Szych, Pixabay

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