Does your dog have a lot of energy? Are they able to listen to and follow your commands? If so, an agility set may be something you’ll want to try.
This post will look at starter agility sets for your dog, how agility benefits your dog, what to look for in a starter agility set, and examples of sets available to purchase.
What Is An Agility Set?
An agility set contains a series of obstacles your dog can perform. These obstacles can include jump bars, tire jumps, tunnels, weave poles, and seesaws.
What Does Agility Do For Dogs?
Agility courses can provide your dog with exercise, thereby increasing their strength and stamina. It also provides your dog with mental stimulation as they follow your commands and figure out how to perform each obstacle.
Agility exercises also help to increase the bond you and your dog experience, as you work together to perform each obstacle.
What Kind Of Dog Is Agility Good For?
Agility obstacles are good for all dogs, no matter what breed or size.
What is important is that they are able to focus on you and follow your commands.
Agility As A Sport
The American Kennel Club holds agility competitions throughout the year. The competition consists of 14-20 obstacles for you and your dog to perform. The goal is for your dog to complete each obstacle as fast and as perfectly as possible. For more information about agility competitions, visit the American Kennel Club website.
If you decide to pursue agility training with your dog to compete, be aware that this can be very hard on your body as well. Cuts and bruises from falls and possible knee issues from all the running can become problems in the long run.
How Do I Train My Dog To Perform Agility Exercises?
It takes a lot of work and patience to train your dog to perform various agility tasks. Use treats and positive reinforcement to teach your dog to each obstacle. It is good to focus on one task at a time before moving on to the next. Your dog may take to certain obstacles right away and others may take some time for your dog to master. The American Kennel Club also offers classes that you can take at local clubs.
While it is important for your dog to complete each obstacle, it is just as important for your dog to be able to focus on you and to follow your directions. Agility competitions include you running alongside your dog through the course while your dog follows your cues.
This is where starter agility sets come in. These may not be professional grade, but they are a good starting point to see if your dog has what it takes to perform each task. They are also just a fun way to exercise with your dog.
What To Look For In An Agility Set
Agility sets are not created equally, so you need to determine what you are using the set for before you buy it. Are you looking just to exercise your dog? Do you want to see if your dog can perform certain obstacles before you pursue agility training seriously? Are you looking for a competition grade set?
- Obstacles. What obstacles do you want to perform with your dog? Most sets come with a jump bar or tire, a tunnel and weave poles. If you are looking for a seesaw, you may have to purchase that separately.
- Materials. The majority of sets are made of plastic or pvc piping. Some are of better quality than others, so again it is important to determine your reason for getting the set. The same thing for tunnels. Some are made with a more durable material than others.
- Safety. Quality sets designed with competition in mind will have safety features to help prevent your dog from getting injured during practice.
- Setting. Are you looking to practice indoors or outdoors? Some sets can be used in both cases, but the majority are made to be used outside and you need to stake the obstacles into the ground to use them.
Best Backyard Agility Sets
These are some agility sets that you may want to try to see if this is something you want to pursue with your dog. Each obstacle can be bought separately, and may be something you want to do if you were going to compete professionally, but for the purposes of this post, a set can provide you with some basic obstacles to get you started.
Best Splurge Agility Set
Agility In A Bag by Affordable Agility
Features:
- Weatherproof.
- Shatter and impact resistant.
- Built in safety features including:
- Jump cups that are smooth to prevent gouging and designed to fall away if touched by your dog.
- A breakaway tire to allow a safe landing should your dog hit into it.
- 6 Weave poles that can be configured into a 2×2 training set.
- Pause box.
- 36” wide jump bar.
- Tire jump with 24” diameter.
- 3’ long tunnel with removable 8’ chute, 22” diameter.
- Carry bag.
- Made in the USA.
Pros:
- Easy to assemble.
- Sturdy.
- Easy to follow instructions.
- Easy to travel with.
- Lightweight.
Cons:
- Not good for large dogs.
Best Agility Set Under $200
Better Sporting Dogs Deluxe Agility Equipment Set
Features:
- 2 bar jumps 26” wide that can be adjusted from 2” to 34” high.
- 1 adjustable tire jump 24” in diameter.
- 6 weave poles 26” high and 24” between each pole.
- A 10’ long tunnel with a 24” wide diameter and 2 sandbags to secure it (sand not included).
- 1 chute tunnel.
- 1 pause box.
- Can be used both indoors and outdoors.
- Each piece has its own carrying case.
Pros:
- Easy to assemble.
- Lightweight and easy to carry.
Cons:
- Multiple carrying cases make traveling with it difficult.
- Some buyers were missing pieces and needed to contact the company to send them.
Best Agility Set Under $150
Lord Anson Dog Agility Set
Features:
- 1 tunnel 16’ long with a 23.5” opening.
- 1 adjustable dog jump to 39″.
- 6 Weave poles.
- Carrying bags included.
Pros:
- Portable.
- Lightweight.
Cons:
- Some buyers feel obstacles could be sturdier.
Best Agility Set Under $100
Cheering Pet Dog Agility Training Equipment
Features:
- A 58.5” long tunnel with 25” diameter.
- 1 adjustable dog jump.
- 6 Weave poles.
- Pause box.
- A rope toy.
- Whistle.
- Carrying bag for each included.
Pros:
- Easy to set up.
- Easily transported to bring to the park, etc.
Cons:
- Hard to get the tunnel to stay down.
- Some sets were lacking instructions.
- Not very sturdy.
- Some sets were missing pieces, but after contacting customer support, buyers were able to have pieces sent to them.
PawHut 4 Piece Obstacle Dog Agility Training Course Kit
Features:
- 1 adjustable dog jump.
- A 58.5” dog tunnel with 24” diameter.
- 6 Weave poles.
- Pause box.
- Stakes to secure items into the ground.
- Carrying cases for the tunnel and poles.
Pros:
- Easy to set up.
Cons:
- Not very sturdy.
- The tunnel is made of thin material.
- Instructions not very clear.
Best Agility Set Under $50
Cheering Pet Dog Agility Training Equipment
Features:
- 1 20” diameter tire jump.
- 1 adjustable jump.
- 6 Weave poles.
- Pause box.
- Carrying bag included.
Pros:
- Easy to set up.
- Lightweight.
Cons:
- Some sets were missing pieces, but contacting customer support resolved the issue
Agility training with your dog can provide your dog with exercise and mental stimulation while helping to secure your bond to one another. It may take a while to train your dog, but the time you spend together will be worth it. Be patient and HAVE FUN!
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.