Understanding Dog Agility Competition Obstacles
To a spectator or a beginner in the sport, the various obstacles involved in a dog agility competition might be confusing. To help make sense of it all, we have compiled a list of the basic obstacles and a short explanation as to their use.
Contact Obstacles
* A-frame- The A-frame is comprised of two wide ramps that are hinged together to form an A shape. They are painted brightly and have contact zones clearly marked. Most also have horizontal slats to help with grip while ascending and descending.
* Dogwalk- Similar to the A-frame except there are three planks - one for ascending, one parallel to the ground and raised about four feet, and one descending.
* See-saw - Self-explanatory, really. The see-saw is a plank that pivots on a central support. The dog moves from one end toward the center and back down the other side.
Tunnels
* Chute - A chute tunnel is a rigid tube approximately 10 to 20 feet long made of flexible vinyl that can be formed into a straight line or curved, at the wish of the course designer. The dog runs through the tube.
* Collapsed Tunnel - A tube of fabric of between 8 to 12 feet that is attached to a cylinder. The dog runs into the open end of the fabric and pushes through the flat tube and out the other end.
Jumps
* Basic Jump - Two upright bars support a horizontal bar that is adjustable based on the height of the dogs. The dog jumps over the bar without knocking it down.
* Double / Triple Jump - Upright bars support two or three horizontal bars that can be spread apart from each other and be either parallel or ascending.
* Panel Jump - Unlike the bar jump, the panel jump consists of a solid panel that reaches from the ground up to the height of the jump. The height is adjustable.
* Long (broad) Jump - A set of raised platforms that form an area the dog must jump over without making contact with any of them. Jump length is adjusted based on dog height.
* Tire / Hoop Jump - A circular shape hung in the air on a frame through which the dog must jump.
Other Obstacles
* Pause Table - This is a raised square 3' x 3' box upon which the dog is expected to jump and pause - either while sitting or in the down position at the course designer's discretion - for a specific period of time.
* Pause Box - This is a marked area on the ground where the dog pauses just as he would on a pause table.
* Weave Poles - Probably the most well known obstacle to spectators, the weave pole is a series of vertical poles through which the dog weaves. The first pole must always be to the dog's left and no poles may be skipped.
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