How to Train a Dog to Run a Chute Tunnel

The proper performance of a chute tunnel is vital to your dog’s success in the agility ring. Chute tunnels are seen in competition hosted by nearly every organization and can be intimidating to a dog that has not been shown how to properly run them. As intimidating as a chute tunnel might seem, it is not difficult to familiarize your dog with. Patience, understanding and a lot of praise will have your canine companion running a proper chute tunnel in no time.

Things You'll Need

• Chute tunnel
• Treats
• Toys
• Collar
• Lead

Instructions

1. Begin your training sessions by placing your dog’s collar and lead on her. It is much simpler to control your dog when she has a lead on, and the lead will give her a little boost of confidence and comfort while learning new things.

2. Remove the fabric from your chute tunnel. If your fabric is permanently attached, then roll or fold it back as far as possible, so that your dog can navigate through the base first. The fabric can be very intimidating, so learning the base first will be much easier for the dog.

3. Stand in front of the chute opening, and give your dog the command you’ll be using for the chute tunnel. It can be something simple like “chute” or another word of your choice. Just make sure it is short and clear, and that you use it every time you ask the dog to perform the chute tunnel.

4. Feed your lead through the opening of the chute and give your dog the command for the chute. Call her through the opening and tempt her to you with her favorite treat. Praise her and offer her the treat when she reaches you.

5. Continue this short exercise until your dog is confident in running through the opening to you without hesitation. Keep him happy and excited with the treats or toys so that he knows the chute tunnel should be fun.

6. Stand with your dog in front of the chute tunnel opening, and give her the command for the chute. Walk forward with her, drop the lead and allow her to go through the tunnel on her own. This concept might be slightly confusing for her, but a send away to the tunnel opening is vital during actual competition. Repeat the send away exercise and your dog will soon be dashing through the chute base on her own.

7. Reconnect your chute fabric to begin the chute phase of training. Sit your dog at the opening to the chute, and walk to the end of the fabric, holding it open so that you can see your dog. Give him the chute command and encourage him to run towards you. The fabric might make him nervous, but holding it open allows him a bit of room. Reward him when he reaches the end of the tunnel. Continue this exercise, gradually lowering the fabric around the dog as he is running down the tunnel so he gets used to the fabric touching him.

8. Take off your dog’s collar and lead and walk beside your dog to the opening of the chute tunnel, giving him the chute command. Run down the outside of the fabric next to your dog, calling and encouraging him to complete the obstacle on his own. Keep up this simple exercise until your dog is confidently running down the chute on his own. Eventually you will be able to stand to the side of the chute and command your dog to perform the obstacle on his own.

9. Work on building speed with your dog. The faster she completes the chute tunnel, the faster your course times will be. Talk to your dog, offer her treats, whatever gets her happy and excited during training. Teach her to associate the happy tone of your voice with running faster and use this in competition. In just a few short training sessions, your dog will be flying out of the chute tunnel and well on her way to success in the agility ring.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your training sessions brief. 10 to 15 minute sessions a couple of times a day works much better than one long, drawn out sessions.

• Training puppies on the chute tunnel is perfectly acceptable. Tunnels are one of the safer obstacles to start young dogs on, as they are relatively low impact. Just be sure to offer plenty of praise to your young dog.

• Never try and push your dog through the tunnel. They can be frightening at first, so gentle encouragement is best.

• Don’t overwork your dog on the chute tunnel. Repeatedly working on the same obstacle time and again can be very boring, so offer some diversity in your training routine.