Dog agility equipment offers a great way to engage your furry friend in a fun and stimulating activity while actively training your pooch, too. With its series of obstacles for your pooch to climb over, under, weave around and more, agility equipment offers both a physical and mental challenge for dogs of all breeds and sizes. Offering more than just a bit of fun and exercise in the garden or park, using agility equipment requires a fair bit of training. The skills you teach your pooch during agility sessions can be used while taking your pooch out and about and are just as useful as making sure you’ve got all the right dog walking accessories while out on walkies together.
With Crufts having recently been back on our screens once more, the agility trials are one of the many events that have me hooked. It was first introduced at Crufts in 1978 and it’s a firm favourite with competitors and spectators alike. I'm in awe of those pups zooming through the courses and always a little bit guilty of looking at my three dogs and thinking they could do that too. Of course, there’s no reason mine and your hounds can't be future Crufts superstars, but we will need to be dedicated to the cause and put in the hours of training to get your pup completing the courses in record time. It's not just about our pup's skills, though. For dogs to be great at agility, it requires good communication from their owner and trust in each other too.
Best dog agility equipment at a glance:
Even the dogs at Crufts were beginners at some point, so getting some equipment to put your hound through their paces in your garden or the local park is a good place to start. You can get tunnels and wave poles that focus on speed and agility, as well as jumps and seesaws that put your pup’s coordination and problem-solving skills to good use. While your dog is still learning, you’ll want to use plenty of training treats and words of encouragement and praise to get them interested in the course. You even find a dog whistle a good training aid to enhance the communication between you and your pooch. However, if your pup doesn’t seem interested or simply doesn’t want to do it, you should never force them to.
If your pooch has mastered sit, lie down and fetch, dog agility equipment will provide you with some more advanced activities for you to train your dog to use. With plenty of practice, lots of positive encouragement and handfuls of tasty treats, your pooch will be zooming around the agility course like the rest of the pack, and they'll be ready for Crufts in no time!
Best dog agility equipment UK
Best dog agility equipment set overall
X XBEN/AmazonIf you know you're committed to building your dog's skills, this X XBEN Upgraded Dog Agility Equipment Kit is the choice for you. With five different pieces, including hoops and tunnels, you'll be using this sturdy kit for a while. It's well worth the investment, in our opinion.
Dog owners love the X XBEN Upgraded Dog Agility Equipment Kit for its easy setup, variety of obstacles, and versatility for both indoor and outdoor play. It’s a great way to keep pups active and entertained. However, a few users have mentioned that the round shape of the carrying bag can be a bit awkward for storage and transport.
Pros
- Offers a good variety of obstacles to keep your pup entertained
- Can be used for both indoor and outdoor play
Cons
- A few users mentioned the shape of the carrying bag that this kit comes in can be a bit awkward to carry around
| What's included: | Adjustable ring poles, jump poles, tunnel, weave poles, square pause box and carrying bag |
Best beginner dog agility training jump set
PawHut/AmazonA great dog agility set to kick you off if you're focusing on jumping. The PawHut Pet Agility Training Set has three pieces, so you can keep it simple and build up your dog's expertise with these classic agility tools. The height of the hoop and hurdle is adjustable, so you can gradually build up their jumping skills.
Customers generally appreciate the PawHut Pet Agility Training Set for its versatility, portability, and ease of assembly. The adjustable height jump bars cater to dogs of various sizes and skill levels, while the included carrying bag is convenient for on-the-go training sessions. Even though the height of the hoop is adjustable, the width isn't, so larger or heavier dogs might find it a bit of a squeeze to get through it. Overall, pet owners have found this set durable enough for regular use, so it provides excellent value for the price.
Pros
- Adjustable heights for the bars and hoops so you can make it more/less difficult at whatever stage your pup is at in their agility training
- Portable as it comes in a carry case so you can train wherever you like
Cons
- As the width of the hoop isn't adjustable, larger/heavier dogs may find it a bit of a squeeze to go through the hoop
| What's Included: | An adjustable pole, hoop and hurdle, eight steel stakes, two spikes, one string and one bag |
Best dog agility seesaw
PawHut/AmazonThe PawHut 1.8m Wooden Pet Seesaw is high-quality, durable and weather-resistant, so it's likely to last a long time. With anti-slip padding and a high-traction sand grain asphalt felt covering, it provides easy and safe footing for your dog so they'll feel safe when learning to climb and go down this seesaw. It's also covered in an outdoor water paint so you'll be able to leave it outside without worrying it'll weather too much.
The PawHut 1.8m Wooden Pet Seesaw is praised for its sturdy construction. Customers also appreciate that the anti-slip surface offers that extra bit of safety for their pooch. However, some users have reported that the seesaw may not be suitable for larger dogs, as it can be less stable under heavier weights. It may also take a bit of time to assemble, so keep that in mind.
Pros
- Anti-slip covering for your pup's safety
- Protected with an outdoor water paint to protect it from the elements
Cons
- Some reviewers felt it wasn't as sturdy under the weight of heavier dogs
| What's included: | 180L x 30W x 30H cm fir wood seesaw |
Best dog agility cones
Bramble/AmazonOne of the simplest pieces of dog agility equipment you can get your hands on, we recommend grabbing this set of 9" Multi Sport Marker Training Traffic Cones to help your dog build up their weaving technique. Weatherproof and durable, the bright colours make them easily seen.
The bright colours of these cones are what customers like about them the most, as they felt like their dogs were able to see and interact with them more. As they're so lightweight, they might not be the best option to use on a windy day as they may move or be knocked over easily.
Pros
- Made in bright colours so they're easily seen
- Made from a weatherproof, durable material
Cons
- As they're so lightweight, they could be knocked over or moved around more easily, especially on a windy day
| What's included: | A set of twelve multicoloured nine-inch agility cones |
Best dog agility tunnel
lionto/AmazonEvery dog agility training set needs a tunnel to go with it. This lionto Outdoor Tunnel is foldable and comes with a carry bag, so it's easy to store. There's hardly any assembly required, so all you need to do is roll it out and get ahead of your training!
Opinions on the quality of this tunnel are mixed. Some reviewers wished the tunnel was more robust as dogs that are chewers could easily bite through it, but others have praised its quality.
Pros
- Hardly any assembly required as you just need to roll it out
- Easy to store as it's foldable and comes with a carry bag
Cons
- Some reviewers felt it could be more robust
| What's included: | A 200 x 40 cm tunnel and mounting pegs |
Best dog agility hurdles
Bramble/AmazonWith three adjustable levels, a durable design and easy storage, there's a lot to like about the Bramble Adjustable Height Hurdles Set. A good size for small and medium breeds, these hurdles are created in bright colours for enhanced visibility and can be used to train your pooch both indoors and outside.
The sturdy construction and ease of assembly of this Bramble Hurdles Set are both praised by pet parents online. As the bits are made of plastic, they may weather over time if exposed to the elements, but luckily, there is a storage bag that comes with the set that you can keep everything in when you're not using it.
Pros
- Adjustable height so you can make them more/less difficult
- Easy to store as it comes in a storage bag
Cons
- May weather over time if left out exposed to the elements
| What's included: | 12 cones and six training poles |
Best indoor dog agility equipment
Outward Hound/AmazonIf you don't have access to much outside space, the Outward Hound Kyjen 41003 Zip Zoom Indoor Dog Agility Starter Kit will allow you to train your pooch indoors. Highly rated on Amazon with over 3,000 reviews, this set encourages healthy exercise with your pooch while also boosting their I.Q.
Positive feedback of this Outward Hound Starter Kit highlights its lightweight design and the ease of assembly, plus the fact that it's a good option for indoor training and exercise. Some reviewers expected the pieces to be bigger and thought that the tunnel is relatively short, so it may not be as much of a challenge for medium to large breeds. For small breeds and puppies, though, this kit offers a good variety of obstacles to introduce them to agility.
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to assemble
- Can be used indoors so it's great if you're limited on outside space
Cons
- Some reviewers thought it would be bigger so might not be the best option for medium/large breeds
| What's included: | High jump, square tunnel, four weave poles, setup and training tips booklet, storage bag |
Best dog agility training book
Eva Bertilsson/Emelie Johnson Vegh/AmazonLast but not least, if you're a total beginner, first-time dog owner, or just looking to learn more - we recommend reading this book by Eva Bertilsson and Emelie Johnson Vegh, which will break all the tips and tricks down into easy-to-read information. Then, take the theory and put it into practice! Although, some may find it easier just to get out there and start the training prior to reading.
Pros
- Breaks down tricks into easy-to-read information
- Tips for teaching your pooch
Cons
- Some may learn better by doing rather than reading
| What's included | One paperback book |
FAQs
At what age can a dog start agility training?
The Kennel Club recommends that for safety, agility training shouldn't start until your pup is a year old. You won't be able to compete in any competitions until your dog is at least eighteen months old, but it's good to get a start or train your dog young if you're just doing it for fun and to use up some excess energy.
Any breed can learn agility, so whatever dog breed you have, they'll be able to complete a whole course of agility training. As they say, learning never stops, so you and your dog can continue learning forever.
What dog agility equipment do I need?
Things can seem complex at first, but it doesn't have to be that hard. The most common agility equipment for dogs are things like a hoop jump, A-frame, hurdles, cones and tunnels. All of these you will recognise once you get started.
If you're not sure which to go for or what will be best for your dog, you can always pick up a dog agility kit, which will include the basic tools needed to get started with your agility training.
Here are some of the products you should be on the lookout for
• Jumps (including bar jumps, hurdles and hoops)
• Weave courses (including poles and cones)
• Tunnels
• See-saws
• A-frames
If you're still working on your dog's recall and you're more likely to practise agility training in the park, you may want to make sure your pooch is wearing a dog GPS tracker just in case they get distracted and shoot off. That way you'll know exactly where they've jetted off to and you can find them more easily.
How do you get started with dog agility?
If you'd like to take your pooch further than training with dog agility equipment in your garden or the park, there are ways you can get involved at a more professional level. Your first step will be to receive some expert training. Information direct from The Kennel Club states your dog doesn't have to be a pedigree dog to take part in expert events, but they must be registered with The Kennel Club on either the Breed Register or the Activity Register.
Here are some things you need to know about taking part in professional dog agility events and training:
• Your dog must be registered with The Kennel Club, either on the Breed Register or on the Activity Register Competitors taking part in any event licensed by The Kennel Club must familiarise themselves with The Kennel Club rules and regulations beforehand.
• Dogs can only enter agility shows once they turn 18 months of age and, for small, medium and intermediate dogs, once they have been officially measured and placed in the correct height category. Obviously, large dogs do not have to be measured.
• There are seven grades of competition from 1 to 7. Competitors and dogs that are new to agility will be able to enter classes suitable for grade 1. As you and your dog improve, you may be able to progress to the next grade. There are two ways in which a competitor can progress; the first is progression on wins, and the second is through points progression.
• Make sure you buy an agility record book, you will need this to have your dog measured and to record your competition wins and clear rounds.
• Plenty of regular practice is essential when preparing for agility competitions, but supervised training at an agility class is just as important. You can use The Kennel Club's Find a Club service to find a training club near you.
After more advice? Watch this YouTube video about getting started in agility from The Kennel Club and agility champion, Anthony Clarke.
Rosie Floyd is a Senior Home & Pets Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things dogs. She grew up always having at least one dog as part of the family and has experience in owning a variety of breeds, including Labradors, Cockapoos and Yorkshire Terriers.