How to Build a Dog Agility Hurdle

Hurdles are an essential part of a dog agility course. They can often make or break a good run. Hurdles are simple to build at home, and having a few of them around to train with will make your time in the agility ring much more productive.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 3 36-inch PVC pipe, ¾-inch diameter
• 3 35-inch PVC pipe, ¾-inch diameter
• 4 6-inch PVC pipe, ¾-inch diameter
• 6 PVC caps
• 8 T-joints
• Hack saw
• PVC glue
• Tape or paint
• Drill with sanding bit attachment

1. Drill a hole in the side of two of the T-joints. This hole needs to be placed so that when the T-joint is laid flat, the middle opening faces upward. Place one of your 36-inch PVC sections in these hole so that the T-joint lays flat with openings that face upwards and to the front and back. Glue this support piece in and allow the glue to dry.

2. Place one of the 6-inch PVC sections in each of forward and backward facing holes in the T-joints. You can glue these portions in so that the legs of your hurdle remain secure. Apply a cap to the open ends of the pipe to avoid water or other foreign materials getting inside your hurdle.

3. Take your remaining 6 T-joints and prepare them to be made into jump cups. Hold the T-joint upright so that the middle opening can be marked. You will need to mark that section in a broad cup-like shape, and cut that with your hack saw. Be sure to cut all the way through the pipe so that you end up with a cup shaped opening to set your jump poles in.

4. Using your drill and sanding bit, gently sand out the inside of each of your jump cups. You want to remove just a slight amount of the PVC material so that the jump cup can be moved up and down on your jump pole, but not so much that the cup falls down. This will allow you to adjust your jump cup to your dog’s height as needed.

5. Put one of your remaining 36-inch PVC pieces into the upright holes of the T-joints in your bases. These poles will serve as your uprights and cap the open end on top. Place 3 of your jump cups on each side of the pole so that they sit even with each other. Your jump bars will rest in each of these cups.

6. Paint or tape a few colored bands on your 35-inch PVC pieces. These colored bands will help your dog distinguish the jump bars from the background and will make the jump much more recognizable to your dog. Any color is fine, just be sure that the color is a bright contrast to the white PVC pipe.

7. Set one of your jump bars in each of the three jump cup sets, and adjust the height as necessary. Be sure to place the jump in a flat and stable area to avoid tipping and movement. Your hurdle is now complete, and you and your dog are well on your way to learning hurdles for the agility ring.

Tips & Warnings

• Let the glue dry completely on all your parts before moving them. If it is not dry, all your hard work may fall apart.
• Do not set your jump in an unsteady area. You want to make sure that the jump in a level area to avoid injury to your dog.