How to Build a Pet Agility Course
1: Jump Bars
2: Cut the Bar Rests
3: Assemble the Jump
4: Weave Poles
5: Connect the Base Pieces
6: Align the Poles
7: Add End Supports
8: Teeter-Totter
9: Find the Plank Balance Point
10: Drill for the Center Spin Pipe
11: Bolt on the Center Spin Pipe
12: Paint the Board
13: Attach Balance Weights 
14: Assemble the Base
15: Position the Plank on the Base
You have your tricked-out media room. The kids have their backyard playground. But what about your dog? We think this oh-so-important family member deserves a special home recreation area too.
Which is why we recommend getting everyone together this weekend and building her an agility course. Not only will it give you and your family some quality bonding time with your favorite canine, the workout the course can provide will be great for your dog’s health, behavior, and longevity. “Active dogs tend to keep fluid in their joints longer, which lessens the effects of aging,” says Carrie DeYoung of the American Kennel Club. And watching your pup fly over hurdles, whip around poles, and balance herself on a teeter-totter provides way more family entertainment than watching TV or playing video games. Here’s how to build your dog’s recreation area.
Clean the printing off the pipes using clear PVC cleaner (optional). Mark each section of pipe to length using the cut list below. Cut all the sections using a pull saw. Write the length of each section at the end of the pipe where the marking will later be covered by a connector or end cap.
Cut List
(All 1½-inch pipe, unless otherwise noted)
Agility Jump (download plan here)
8 @ 12 inches
2 @ 48 inches
2 @ 5½ inches
2 @ 6½ inches
2 @ 15¼ inches
Weave Poles (download plan here)
4 @ 18½ inches
2 @ 12 inches
2 @ 24 inches
6 @ 40 inches
Teeter-Totter (download plan here)
8 @ 3¼ inches
8 @ 19 inches
4 @ 14½ inches
4 @ 12-inch
1 @ 12 inches (2-inch pipe)
1. Jump Bars
This jump bar helps Fido build up his hindquarters and develop a better sense of boundaries. It also helps breeds that are prone to hip problems (such as Labs and German shepherds) improve strength and agility.
Photo: Wendell T. Webber
By: KEITH PANDOLFI AND JENNIFER STIMPSON, This Old House magazine
Posted: Just One More Pet
1 Comment »
Leave a Reply
Save a Life…Adopt Just One More…Pet!
Everyday we read or hear another story about pets and other animals being abandoned in record numbers while at the same time we regularly hear about crazy new rules and laws being passed limiting the amount of pets that people may have, even down to one or two… or worse yet, none.
Nobody is promoting hoarding pets or animals, but at a time when there are more pets and animals of all types being abandoned or being taken to shelters already bursting at the seams, there is nothing crazier than legislating away the ability of willing adoptive families to take in just one more pet!!
Our goal is to raise awareness and help find homes for all pets and animals that need one by helping to match them with loving families and positive situations. Our goal is also to help fight the trend of unfavorable legislation and rules in an attempt to stop unnecessary Euthenization!!
“All over the world, major universities are researching the therapeutic value of pets in our society and the number of hospitals, nursing homes, prisons and mental institutions which are employing full-time pet therapists and animals is increasing daily.” ~ Betty White, American Actress, Animal Activist, and Author of Pet Love
Photos By: Marion Algier – The UCLA Shutterbug
There is always room for Just One More Pet. So if you have room in your home and room in your heart… Adopt Just One More! If you live in an area that promotes unreasonable limitations on pets… fight the good fight and help change the rules and legislation…
Save the Life of Just One More…Animal!
Recent and Seasonal Shots
Photos by the UCLA Shutterbug are protected by copyright, Please email at JustOneMorePet@gmail.com or find us on twitter @JustOneMorePet for permission to duplicate for commerical purposes or to purchase photos.
See Creative Pet Halloween Costumes
If you can adopt or foster just one more pet, you could be saving a life, while adding joy to your own! Our shelters are over-flowing… Please join the fight to make them all ‘NO-Kill’ facilities.
JustOneMorePet- Pet Mardi Gras Parade February 22, 2012 justonemorepet
- Scuba Dooby Doo: Amazing photos of the dogs who love to play fetch underwater February 21, 2012This is what you call the underwater doggy paddle. Photographer Seth Casteel watched a series of pets diving into the water – many chasing a ball – and the result is lost of gnashers, bubbles and some incredible photographs. Catch the ball: Photographer Seth Casteel specializes in lifestyle pet photography, ‘embracing the at-ease mentality […]justonemorepet
- PAWsome… President’s Day Pet Adoption Specials–Check in Your Area~~ February 19, 2012 justonemorepet
- Gotta Love Those Monkeys!! February 18, 2012 justonemorepet
- Animal Fun Photos – JOMP February 17, 2012Received (most of) these from my cousin in Germany… Two things that are universal… great photos and cute animals!! h/t to Monika Streicherjustonemorepet
- 136th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show (2012) February 15, 2012Visit the the Westminster Kennel Club and Events Here Wiener is a winner: Wirehaired Dachshund is best of the Hounds at Westminster A female Wirehaired Dachsund named “Cinders” (officially named “GCH Raydachs Playing With Fire V Gleishorbach SW”) has been named “Best of Group (Hound)” at the 136th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at [...]justonemorepet
- Women sue Petco Kaneohe claiming groomers cut off their dogs’ body parts… and then Trying to glue ears back on February 15, 2012 justonemorepet
- Londonderry School Uses Therapy Dog in Classroom February 15, 2012Southern New Hampshire Montessori Academy (SNHMA) has become one of the first schools in New England to bring in a therapy dog as a full time member of its community. Guardian, a Portuguese water dog, was chosen for his temperament, his silky soft hypoallergenic coat and teddy bear looks. While he’s in the process of [...]justonemorepet
- Valentine’s Day Do’s and Don’ts for Pet Lovers with Videos and Photos February 14, 2012 justonemorepet
- Mini-Yorkie stomped to death protecting owner February 14, 2012Police are looking for several men who stomped to death a 4-pound mini-Yorkshire terrier that was trying to protect its owner from an attack in San Jose over the weekend, authorities said Monday. The dog’s owner said he was walking the 6-year-old dog, Shadow, at Winchester Boulevard and Colonial Way about 2 p.m. Saturday when [...]justonemorepet
-
Recent Comments
-
Flickr Photos
More Photos
Great Book for Children and Pet Lovers… And a Perfect Holiday Gift
One More PetEmily loves animals so much that she can’t resist bringing them home. When a local farmer feels under the weather, she is only too eager to “feed the lambs, milk the cows and brush the rams.” The farmer is so grateful for Emily’s help that he gives her a giant egg... Can you guess what happens after that? The rhythmic verse begs to be read aloud, and the lively pictures will delight children as they watch Emily’s collection of pets get bigger and bigger.
Buy Now: A Must Have For Every Pet Owner
Nail Clipping Made Easy and Painless
[...] How to Build a Pet Agility Course [...]
Pingback by Busy Pets Are Happy Pets: Fun Ways to Keep Your Pet Active « JustOneMorePet | August 31, 2009 |