Where is a good place to buy dog agility equipment?

Question

I am running a fundraiser for 4-H kids. We are working on setting up an agility course for the dog program. I have already made the jumps but I want to buy the contact equipment and tunnels. I am looking for inexpensive, yet well-made equipment. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Contact equipment is just plain expensive. I have virtually everything, now, mostly bought on e-bay. For the teeter, I bought a plastic base and it came with directions and hardware, so all had to do was buy the 12 ft. board and paint it with sand mixed in for traction. My A-frame came from e-bay. Very nice, and least expensive I ever found. It took months for it to arrive. I bought my tunnel first, years back. It had free shipping and was essentially a kids tunnel, and was from k9sports.com It has held up great, isn't very big, compared to tunnels in dog trials---I think 9 ft. I hook bungies over it and attach plastic milk cartons filled with water or sand, to keep it mostly in place! My agility trainer was asked to work with the 4-H kids in our area and she supplies the equipment. Have you asked any around you if they are interested?

Answer 2

I bought my tunnels here, and am very happy with them
ntiglobal.com

Also try
affordableagliity.com
max200.com

There really is no such thing as inexpensive, well-made equipment.

I have made (with some help from my Dad) an AKC regulation course and my equipment is better than some of the schools in the area. The contact obstacles are not to bad to make. Weave pole bases would be tough if you do not know how to weld. Maybe you could have a couple Saturday get togethers and make equipment, surely there must be some parents who are handy, maybe even a welder! There are many online plans but I would recommend starting by joining the yahoo group agility equipment, helpful people and some good plans as well.

You can do it! Save money and end up with better stuff!

Answer 3

There are a bunch of sites to buy agility equipment, (too many to list.) You may also find what your looking for on Ebay.

I have had my husband make a bunch of equipment, like the broad jump, tire jump, jumps, table, and weave poles. There are sites that you can find directions to make the equipment cheaper than buying it, and you could even have a club members father make most of the equipment, other than the tunnel and chute.
I would stay away from PetSmart, they are over priced.

There may even be a club in your area that has all of the equipment that they may be willing to lease to you or maybe even borrow. I know my club is always wanting to help in fundraisers, as well as get more juniors exhibitors, so they may be willing to help your 4-Hers as well.

Good luck and have fun.

Answer 4

Check out the Clean Run website. From what I know also, some of the contact equipment isn't that difficult to make either. I see directions on how in books I have on loan from the library. I have been told too that tunnels are sold at children's toy stores for a cheaper price but they aren't as good a quality and could be a little small for larger dogs. You could check them out though.

I am currently taking agility classes.

Answer 5

Have you thought of instead of purchasing, leasing it? Sometimes when it is 4-H or for kids some of the local breeders will let you lease or use the equipment for free.

A great site I found that I use is www.k9sports.com

Answer 6

http://www.affordableagility.com/ is one such place. You may want to check with some local obedience training clubs & get their reccomendations, too - they may have a member that builds their own, or bought some things in bulk for discounts. Good luck!

Answer 7

pet smart or some pet store