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Barnyard Buddies:  Homemade agility course/ Tunnel?  |
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YiberryYadeeKarin
True Blue Farmgirl
343 Posts
Karin
Spokane Valley
WA
USA
343 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 18 2007 : 10:19:31 PM
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We have an aussie/border collie cross. We've had her just over three years and she turned three last November. She was always kind of "bossy" but got herself in major trouble last year by picking fights with my mother's dog and then starting to turn on our other dog, her "buddy". I was SO stressed out by it all... I still feel as though I have PTSS from it all! She was on Petfinder for months... I could go on and on with all of the pain and frustration and depression I've gone through with her. I've been keeping her separate from our other dog -- it's a bit of a hassle but it works. My daughter and I decided we couldn't part with her. We understand her and adore her. She is probably the most intelligent dog I've ever had in my life and the goofiest. She stands on her head, does sommersaults, gets in pretzel positions... She's an awesome frisbee player and loves to lie in the little kiddie pool, never mind the six inch iceberg floating in it! We call her "Goof", "Nutso the Clown", etc.
Anyway, we've decided we need to set up some kind of agility course for her. I got a GREAT book called "Beyond Fetch" which has given me some ideas for things like weave poles and jumps. I think that with an old garbage can we have with the bottom cut out we can create a chute. The one thing that I'm really having trouble with is a tunnel. I've seen ideas with chicken wire and nylon, etc., but that sounds tricky.
Anybody ever set up their own homemade backyard agility course? Any and all ideas are welcome.
Karin
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Edited by - YiberryYadeeKarin on Feb 18 2007 10:29:33 PM |
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2007 : 10:53:10 PM
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It sounds like your dog does need some structured play time just like an agility course. Great idea. Remember the long tubes or tunnels that kids used to have, that is similar to what is used. I wonder if a toy store would have one and you could take from there. Maybe that will help. MB
www.strawberryhillsfarm.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
Edited by - Marybeth on Feb 18 2007 10:53:55 PM |
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Love-in-a-Mist
True Blue Farmgirl
367 Posts
Shannon
Independence
Oregon
USA
367 Posts |
Posted - Feb 19 2007 : 08:26:34 AM
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Maybe a barrel or two with the end cut off. I have the same kind of dogs and you're right, I noticed everytime there is a behavior problem it usually stems from me being too busy. And can usually be "fixed" with more excercise, body and mind. Have fun!!
Farmgirl and mother of 2
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Tracey
True Blue Farmgirl
766 Posts
Tracey
State of Confusion
USA
766 Posts |
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Bluewrenn
True Blue Farmgirl
1122 Posts
Erin
Texas
USA
1122 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2007 : 8:16:28 PM
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I used to train aussies and I remember lots of different things that we used. We used horse jumps mostly - the low ones that have a 4x4 beam with two "X"s on the ends to form the legs...
X----X <= looked like this.
We used something that involved climbing up a ladder and sliding down a kiddie slide. Or something like that.
And don't forget the see saw! Take a small barrel, a long board (maybe 8-12 inches wide) and make struts on the board for the dog to use to climb it. Set it up like a see saw. As she climbs it, her weight will tip the other end of the board down and she can run down the other side. You may have to play around with the design on this to get it to work correctly.
You can make tunnels by setting up a series of tires - we used two heavy railroad ties, one of each side of the tires to help them stand upright. Although I can't remember if this worked very well or not... (Some of the things we tried didn't work too well... LOL!) I think that if the tires are spaced about a foot apart, it leaves enough room in between the tires for the dog to step through safely.
We also used barrels or tall poles to form a course (kind of like a barrel racing track) and taught the dogs to go around them in different patterns. Later we had them "herd" some ducks and sheep around the barrels.
We also used different colored bandanas and taught our dogs to go get certain colored ones, or go pick them up in a certain order. You may be able to do this with different colored balls or toys, but if the dog develops a preference, it may not cooperate with you!
Hmmm... I'll try to get ahold of my sisters and see what else we used.
My Homesteading Journal http://toomyvara.livejournal.com
My craft journal http://bluewrenn.livejournal.com
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oceanfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
231 Posts
Rachel
A Little Closer to Heaven
Oregon Coast
USA
231 Posts |
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
Posted - Feb 21 2007 : 7:08:48 PM
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I've always had cowdogs but now have two Mini Doxies on my big rig. Let me tell you, try tho I might want them to do agility, or just plain mind, it won't happen. I have watched dogs that minded on TV and am soooo jealous.
The one good thing about cowdogs, you don't have to 'train' them, they are just born knowing right from wrong!! Or maybe they have ME trained!!
Happy Trails :-)
Don't sweat the small stuff... |
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Tracey
True Blue Farmgirl
766 Posts
Tracey
State of Confusion
USA
766 Posts |
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beckels
True Blue Farmgirl
237 Posts
becky
warrington
pa
USA
237 Posts |
Posted - Feb 24 2007 : 08:52:16 AM
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another place to look is maybe a lowes or home depot of pvc piping - or ask someone at a construction site about large pvc piping (looks like large concrete pipes used under highway) -- my friend got one cheap from a construction site because it was cracked and the company digging couldnt use it
beckels |
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Barnyard Buddies: Homemade agility course/ Tunnel? |
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Homemade agility course/ Tunnel?
