Backyard Agility For Fun

Boxer_21 · #1 14th June 2003, 08:43 PM

I was watching Riley today playing in the backyard and I think he would be amazing with agility. He can manuever around obstacles like they're nothing. In our backyard, we have two trees (about 20' apart) with a slider swing in between. He was racing from one tree, around the swing, around the second tree and back in figure eight paths nonstop and with no problems.

As of right now, actually signing up for agility classes and training isn't going to fit in with my life. I would however, have fun with just goofing around in the backyard with some obstacles for him. Not only would it keep him in shape and excersized, but it would also get me outside and more involved in his activities.

My question is, have any of you made your own obstacle courses just for fun?? What did you make and how (what tools, etc.)?? I think it would be really neat to have a mini recreational course for him and for Mason when he gets bigger. Any thoughts or advice??

Muttluvr · #2 16th June 2003, 12:59 PM

So far I've made....

4 jumps
2 sets of weave poles
a teeter
and a buja board

All of them (except the buja) are made mainly out of PVC. PVC is your friend!

what kind of things would you like in your recreational course?

Baileysmom · #3 16th June 2003, 01:05 PM

I was thinking the same thing, I am interested in what some of the responses are going to be.

Baileysmom · #4 16th June 2003, 01:07 PM

Whats a buja board??

Muttluvr · #5 16th June 2003, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Baileysmom
Whats a buja board??

A buja board is used to get dogs familiar with wobbly movement (it prepares them for the teeter).

Here's a link that shows one.

http://www.peak.org/~helix/Agility/bujaboard.html

catneon · #6 16th June 2003, 01:34 PM

Here are a couple of threads for you

Homemade Agility Equipment

Easy ... You Build Agility Equiptment

Baileysmom · #7 16th June 2003, 01:47 PM

Cool, Thank you!

Boxer_21 · #8 16th June 2003, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Muttluvr
what kind of things would you like in your recreational course?

Thank you for the tips and links!!

I'm not looking for anything in particular. I'm just trying to get some ideas. I can say that Riley LOOOOVES to run and zip around the yard so any obstacles that would be fun and challenge his skills in that area, would probably be a huge hit.

Do your dogs ever use the equipment on their own just to amuse themselves?? I'm sure that once Mason comes they'll be playing almost nonstop outside, but it would be neat to see them take it upon themselves to goof around with the neat toys!!

Moonshadow · #9 17th June 2003, 10:17 AM

My babies have a trampoline that they all jump on...Rigo just learned to get his big body up there...at almost a hundred pounds, he didn't know he could jump that high.

They also have a chew rope hanging just out of reach in a tree. Two of them love to play with that. They all do figure 8's around the trees too.

When we go to the park, they all slide on the slides. The big guy likes that the best.

And, our white resuce likes to walk across the monkey bars when she gets near them. She also will walk on a balance beam way up high if she can find one.

I remember a post from Dan a year or so ago where he talked about his girls playing tether ball!

Boxer_21 · #10 17th June 2003, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Moonshadow
I remember a post from Dan a year or so ago where he talked about his girls playing tether ball!

Riley also has a teather ball out in our yard. He absolutely adores it!! He plays with it quite often, but I'm trying to get more creative and challenging things for him to play. He must get somewhat bored with the ball and the every day games.