See Spot Sit, LLC

In order to practice for agility class, you will need at least a couple of obstacles at home. Agility equipment can be purchased but you will quickly discover that it is very expensive. Some things you can make at home for relatively little cost. I recommend that you make three jumps and a set of at least 6 weave poles (12 would be better). If you have a small dog, you might also purchase a child's play tunnel at a tag sale.

• Stuff for sale
• Instructions for building a jump
• Instructions for building outdoor weave poles

If you are not handy or into building things, I have just a couple of samples for sale, and there are links in each section to direct you to places you could buy a comparable item. Do shop around because there is a lot of agility equipment available online, including used equipment sometimes on eBay or Craig's List.

Stuff for sale

1. Numerous sets of 6" galvanized spiral nails, $3 per set of 6
2. Numerous extra 3/4" striped jump bars, free

top

Instructions for building a jump

Notes:

• You will use schedule 40 plumbing PVC, which can be found at any home supply or hardware store. These instructions are for 3/4" PVC. 3/4" PVC will be lighter weight and easier to move and store, but also a little more flimsy and subject to breakage. If you have a big dog or multiple dogs using the jumps, you might consider using 1" PVC. Just make sure that you buy the right size tees and end caps!
• You can choose to glue your jumps together or not. If you glue them, they are a lot easier to move around because they don't fall apart every time you pick them up. However, they are cumbersome to store and will be slightly more susceptible to breakage. If you don't glue them, they are easy to take apart for storage and tend to come apart rather than break if a clumsy dog (or you) runs into them. However, they have an annoying habit of coming apart on their own every time you move or bump them.
• If you decide to glue, you should know that PVC cement is an extremely noxious substance! This must be done outdoors using appropriate safety measures (see label instructions). Also, PVC cement dries in less than 2 seconds, so make sure you have your rubber mallet handy and your pieces aligned correctly!
• Each jump should cost around $9 (a little more if you buy PVC cement) and take less than an hour to make. Buying a jump like this usually runs around $30-$45 (here is an example: http://www.affordableagility.com/ajumpecono.htm). Shop around if you decide to buy your jumps; suppliers come and go and prices vary a lot. Be sure to check eBay also.
• Cutting the jump cups (steps 7 and 8) is the only difficult part. You can buy these instead; for example: http://www.jjdog.com/AGW701

1. Measure and mark off each of the 10' lengths of PVC into segments of 48", 36", 18", 18":


2. Using the hacksaw or the PVC cutters, cut the PVC segments.


3. If you are using 3/4" PVC, cut a 1.5" piece off of each of the 36" segments. So now you will have two 34.5" segments and two 1.5" segments.
   [If you are using 1" PVC, cut a 2" piece off of each of the 36" segments.]


4. Take two of the 18" segments, one 1.5" segment, one tee, and two of the end caps and create an assembly ("Assembly A") like this:
   
   Repeat to make a second one of these. If you are using the PVC cement, glue each of these assemblies together now, making sure that the pieces fit together snugly. Use your rubber mallet to pound them together securely.


5. Take one of the 34.5" segments, one tee, and one end cap and create an assembly ("Assembly B") like this:
   
   Repeat to make a second one of these. If you are using the PVC cement, glue each of these assemblies together now, making sure that the pieces fit together snugly. Use your rubber mallet to pound them together securely.


6. Connect each "Assemby A" to an "Assembly B"; then connect the two halves together with one of the 48" pieces to assemble the jump like this:
   
   Use your rubber mallet to pound it together securely. If you are using the PVC cement, remove the bottom supports one at a time and glue the free end of the 1.5" segment into the tee of the upright. Make sure that everything is aligned correctly before you glue! DO NOT GLUE either end of the 48" cross bar at this time.


7. Take the remaining tee, place in the vice, and using the hacksaw, cut in half crosswise like this:



8. Take each of the two pieces of the tee, place in the vice one at a time, and cut off about 1/3 of the back like this:
   
   


9. Snap your two jump cups over the uprights and slide to the appropriate height for your dog.
   
   


10. If desired, stripe the remaining 48" PVC segment using the colored electrical tape. This makes it easier for the dog to see.


11. Place the striped pole on the jump cups. If it fits too snugly, you might have to trim it slightly. If it is too short, you either need to pound in the lower cross bar more snugly or possibly trim it. Once you are sure the jump bar fits appropriately, you can glue the lower 48" segment into the tees if desired. However, if you leave it unglued, you can take your jump apart into 4 pieces for storage (two assemblies and two bars).
    
    

top

Instructions for building outdoor weave poles

Notes:

• These instructions are for 6 outdoor, stick-in-the-ground weave poles. Double the materials list if you would like to make a set of 12 poles.
• These poles are more flexible to use because you can stagger them for training as we do in class. However, you can't use them indoors.
• You do need to use PVC cement to glue the spikes together. Gluing the poles themselves into the spikes is optional. Be aware that PVC cement is an extremely noxious substance! This must be done outdoors using appropriate safety measures (see label instructions). Also, PVC cement dries in less than 2 seconds, so make sure you have your rubber mallet handy and your pieces aligned correctly!
• You probably won't find the 6" galvanized spiral nails in a hardware store (at least I couldn't). You either have to buy a whole box online, or since I bought a box you can buy some from me.
• Each set of 6 poles plus spikes should cost around $13 (a little more if you need to buy PVC cement) and take less than an hour to make. Buying a set of weave poles like this usually runs around $50-$60 (here is an example: http://www.weave-poles.com/weave%20poles.htm). Shop around if you decide to buy your weave poles; suppliers come and go and prices vary a lot. Be sure to check eBay also.
• If you don't want to build the spikes, you can buy them and just add the poles yourself. The spikes alone run $25-$30 for six. Here is an example: http://www.weave-poles.com/spikes.htm.
• Also handy so you don't have to measure when placing your poles is a pole placement tape: http://www.weave-poles.com/pole%20placers.htm.

Making the poles:

1. Measure and mark off each of the 10' lengths of PVC into three 40" segments.


2. Using the hacksaw or the PVC cutters, cut the PVC segments. You may be able to get them cut at the store so they fit in your car!


3. Take 6 of the 3/4" end caps, and using the PVC cement, glue one on each of the six poles.


4. If desired, use the colored tape to stripe the poles at about 10" from each end. This makes it easier for the dog to see.

Making the spikes:

1. Take the 1" end caps, and placing them in the vice one at a time, drill a hole the same size as the diameter of your nails in the center of the bottom of each cap.



2. Place one nail through the hole of each of these end caps, with the nail head inside the cap.



3. Using the PVC cement, glue a 3/4" end cap inside of each of the 1" end caps. Quickly wipe off any glue which oozes out with a wet paper towel. The completed spike should look like this:



4. If desired, glue the poles into the spikes. They are more stable this way, but you can't take the spikes off for storage. Otherwise, use your rubber mallet to pound the poles into the spikes securely.

top

©2007, See Spot Sit, LLC
rev. 07 May 2007