Does your dog have a ton of energy? Do they respond well to you when you give a command? Are you looking for something you and your dog can do together? Agility training can be a great way to spend some time together. A dog agility tunnel is a great way to start to see if agility training is good for you and your pup.
This post will look at dog agility tunnels, what they are, what to look for, and how to train your dog to use one.
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Related: Best Backyard Agility Set For Your Dog
What Is A Dog Agility?
Dog agility is a competition sport where dogs compete in a series of exercises or trials. This can include:
- Pole weaving.
- Jumping over or through obstacles.
- Running through a tunnel.
The goal is to complete the exercises quickly and efficiently.
What Is A Dog Agility Tunnel?
A dog agility tunnel is an open tunnel that your dog runs through as part of an agility competition.
It is made of a durable material and comes in various sizes.
An agility tunnel can be configured as a straight or curved tunnel for you pup to run through.
A dog agility tunnel is considered one of the easier of the agility exercises to teach your dog. For this reason, this is a great exercise to start with your dog to see if agility is right for them.
Who Is A Dog Agility Tunnel Good For?
A dog agility tunnel is good for:
- Dogs who have a ton of energy to burn off.
- Pups who like to run.
- Dogs who are good at following your commands.
How Do I Get My Dog To Go Through An Agility Tunnel?
A dog agility tunnel is fairly easy to teach your dog. Start by laying out the tunnel and letting your dog sniff it. As your dog approaches the tunnel, give them a treat and praise.
Next, put a treat inside the beginning of the tunnel. Again, as your dog steps into the tunnel, praise them. They will be rewarded with their treat.
Then, start putting a treat further inside the tunnel. Continue with praising your dog as they go through.
Once they come out the other side, be sure to reward them with additional praise and a treat.
As your dog becomes more comfortable with going through the tunnel, you can then start to work on increasing their speed.
Each dog is different and it may take some dogs more time than others to become comfortable with going through the tunnel.
Some may not like the darkness of the tunnel, others may not like the feel of the tunnel material. No matter the issue, be patient with your dog and be sure to give them plenty of positive reinforcement during training.
What Are The Benefits Of Training My Dog For Agility?
There are definitely benefits to training your dog for agility. These include:
- Bonding. Agility training provides you and your dog with a great bonding experience. You get to spend extra time together, just the two of you.
- Exercise. Training for agility provides both you and your dog with exercise, as you both need to be active during training sessions.
- Mental Stimulation. Agility work requires concentration to perform the exercise properly and quickly.
How Big Should A Dog Agility Tunnel Be?
If you are just starting out with training your dog to use an agility tunnel, you may want to opt for a small one, 6-10 feet in length. Especially if you think your dog may not like the darkness or be difficult to train, a small tunnel can let you see if this is something your dog will like before investing in a larger tunnel.
Aside from the length, the size of the tunnel opening needs to be considered. This opening needs to be large enough to accommodate the height of your dog. Smaller sized tunnels tend to have a smaller tunnel opening and may not be suited for a large breed dog.
Regulation sized tunnels are 18 feet in length with a tunnel opening of 24 inches.
Is It Too Late To Train My Dog For Agility?
It is never too late to train your dog for agility. Dogs of all breeds, sizes, and ages can be trained to perform agility exercises.
How Often Should You Train Your Dog For Agility?
Just like any other training, you want to keep sessions short and sweet. It is recommended to train with your dog 15-20 minutes per day. This helps to keep your dog actively engaged in the training without them becoming bored or tired.
What Should I Look For When Buying A Dog Agility Tunnel?
If you decide to start training your dog with an agility tunnel, here are some things to look for:
Size
You’ll first want to decide on the size of the tunnel you want. Do you want to start off small to see if this is something you and your dog will like or do you want to go all in and get a larger one?
Material
Your dog agility tunnel should be made from a durable material that can stand up to your dog’s paws and nails as they run through it. Look for a strong nylon or polyester material.
Tunnel Opening
The tunnel opening is just as important as the length of the tunnel. You want the tunnel opening to be large enough to accommodate the size of your dog. A standard tunnel opening is 24 inches. Generally speaking, measure your dog’s height and subtract 2 inches.
Storage
Agility tunnels should fold up when not in use and also allow for portability.
Weatherproof
Most agility tunnels are designed to be used outdoors. If you plan on keeping your tunnel outside at all times, make sure it is able to stand up to the elements and not degrade when exposed to certain weather conditions.
Security
If you are using your dog agility tunnel outside, you are going to need to secure it to the ground to keep it in place as your dog runs through it and also to prevent it from flying away in the wind.
There are two ways to secure your agility tunnel: stakes and sandbags. Stakes need to be put into the ground and sandbags go over the top of the tunnel. Sand is not provided, so this would have to be an extra expense to account for.
Indoor/Outdoor
While most dog agility tunnels are for outdoor use, some can be used indoors as well. This is great for those that don’t have a yard to train their dogs in but still want to give their dog an agility experience.
Adjustability
Some agility tunnels only open to one length. Others are longer and can be adjusted according to the length that suits your needs. Choose an adjustable agility tunnel to start out with a short length and gradually increase it as your dog gets comfortable with using it.
Best Dog Agility Tunnels For Your Pup
Here are 5 examples of dog agility tunnels available for home use. Product information is according to the manufacturer. While these are not “competition grade” tunnels, they are a great way to play and train with your dog.
Best 6.5 Foot Agility Tunnel
Trixie Dog Agility Tunnel
This tunnel is great for beginners, particularly puppies and small dogs. It uses both sandbags and ground anchors for support.
- Extends up to 6.5 feet long.
- Made of nylon.
- Includes sandbags and ground anchors for stability.
- Comes with a carrying case.
- Made for small dogs and puppies.
- Can be indoors or outdoors.
- Features a 15.74 inch tunnel opening.
Best 10 Foot Agility Tunnel
Better Sporting Dogs Agility Tunnel
This tunnel can be used indoors and outdoors and uses sandbags for stability.
- Extends up to 10 feet long.
- Features a 24 inch tunnel opening.
- Includes sandbags for stability
- Can be used both indoors and outdoors.
- Made of polyester.
- Includes a carrying case.
Best 15 Foot Agility Tunnel
Cool Runners Agility Lightweight Training Tunnel
This tunnel is weatherproof and uses sandbags for stability.
- Extends up to 15 feet.
- Good for small to medium sized dogs.
- Features a 24 inch tunnel opening.
- Made of weatherproof PVC material.
- Resistant to mildew, UV rays, and rot.
- Includes tunnel bags for stability.
Best 18 Foot Agility Tunnel
HDP Collapsible Agility Dog Training Tunnel
This tunnel is waterproof and tear resistant and uses metal stakes for security.
- Made of nylon.
- Waterproof.
- Tear resistant.
- Static free.
- Extends up to 18 feet.
- Features a 24 inch tunnel opening.
- Secures to the ground with metal stakes.
- Includes a carrying case.
Best Variety
Affordable Agility
- Available in three sizes:
- 6 feet with a 19 inch tunnel opening.
- 9 feet with a 22 or 28 inch tunnel opening.
- 15 feet with a 24 inch tunnel opening.
- Carrying cases are sold separately.
- Features a steel coil that is sewn into the lining to avoid catching on your dog.
- Made of heavyweight polyester material.
- Durable.
- Resists tearing from your dog’s claws.
- Brackets and sandbags to secure the tunnel are sold separately.
Affordable Agility offers tunnels in various sizes to accommodate all breed sizes. They also sell competition grade tunnels as well. The downside is that all carrying cases, sandbags, and brackets are sold separately.
A dog agility tunnel is a great way to play and bond with your dog. It can provide both exercise and mental stimulation for your pup as well as determine if further agility training is right for you.
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.