Does your dog need a hobby? Try the best dog agility poles

Which dog agility poles are best?

Dog agility poles, also known as weave poles, teach your dog about precision and focus. Whether you’re looking to enter your dog into competitions or just get your dog some more exercise, agility poles are a great place to start. Take a look at the PawHut 7-Piece Dog Agility Training Equipment Set for a set that has great poles plus lots of fun training equipment that will really get your pup in shape.

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In this article: PawHut 7-Piece Dog Agility Training Equipment Set, Pawise Dog Weave Poles Set and Polar Aurora Dog Agility Training Course Kit

What to know before you buy dog agility poles

How to use them

Dog agility poles are designed to help your dog work on agility and movement and precision of movement. A full set of poles comes with six to 12 poles that you space 22-24 inches apart in a straight line or offset at angled points. As your dog gets better at using the poles, you can try more configurations. Most sets come with a reference cord you can use as a guide for spacing.

Materials

Professional agility courses where competitions are held use poles made from Polyvinyl chloride plastic pipes that are 3/4-inch thick and stand 40 inches tall. Outdoor agility sets for private training and personal use can stand 24-45 inches tall.

Indoor agility poles are made from plastic but aren’t necessarily constructed from PVC pipes. Since indoor sets are designed to be more compact, the height of the poles can be between 18-20 inches tall.

Base options

Some pole sets come with a fixed base while others are made to go directly into the ground. Consider the landscape you’ll be using and how elaborate you want the weaving course to become.

• Flat ground base: This is a bar placed on the ground to which all of the agility poles are affixed. It limits the configuration options but makes sliding the setup over a few inches possible without making you move each pole one by one.
• Steel pike: This is a sharp metal spike at the bottom of each pole that is staked into the ground. Since you put each pole in separately, it’s easy to try different layouts or designs but set-up and rearranging can be more time consuming.
• Cup: Shaped like an upside-down cup, this plastic piece stands at the bottom of each pole. It is easily knocked over but practical for indoor use when a flat ground base is too big and a steel pike would damage the floors.

 What to look for in quality dog agility poles

Sturdy design

You want sturdy, durable poles that don’t teeter in a slight breeze. PVC is great for this because it’s strong but the quality of the pole won’t matter if the base isn’t equally durable. If your dog is just starting agility training, mistakes will be made and you want poles with enough give so your pup doesn’t get hurt but plenty of strength so the poles don’t fall down on you or your dog.

Bonus equipment

Advanced agility pole sets come with additional features, helping you to make a fuller agility course for your pup. This can include an agility tunnel, adjustable jumping hurdles, pause box, a frisbee and a training whistle. Buying these items in one set is less expensive than purchasing each separately but the savings is only beneficial if you’re going to use the extra equipment.

Carrying case

The best agility poles come with a reliable storage bag or case that is usually constructed from polyester. It doesn’t rip easily and it has a reliable zipper that doesn’t jam. There’s a handle that’s easy to grip and durable so that transporting the agility equipment is as easy as possible.

How much you can expect to spend on dog agility poles

They cost $30-$95 depending on the number of poles and the materials from which the poles are made.

Dog agility poles FAQ

Can dog agility poles be used on artificial turf instead of grass?

A. A flat ground base works on turf, but spikes can damage the turf if they go in at the wrong angle or depth.

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Can they be left outside full-time?

A. PVC pipe is usually fine to leave outdoors, but some of the adhesives that attach the pipe to the ground base or stake do not hold up well in extreme weather over long periods of time.

What are the best dog agility poles to buy?

Top dog agility poles

PawHut 7-Piece Dog Agility Training Equipment Set

What you need to know: A quality agility set that comes with weave poles and more obstacles to challenge your dog with.

What you’ll love: Made from durable vinyl, this kit includesweave poles, a pause box, two adjustable hurdles, an adjustable jumping ring and two tunnels. Plus, there’s a carry bag to help you transport it all.

What you should consider: It’s a bit pricey if you don’t plan to use all the gear included.

Top dog agility poles for the money

Pawise Dog Weave Poles Set

What you need to know: This affordable outdoor set comes with 12 PVC weave poles that stand 45.27 inches tall with steel spikes.

What you’ll love: These are closer to competition-grade height than most agility poles, and the orange and blue poles are sturdy and can be inserted at different angles. The set comes with a practical carrying case.

What you should consider: It does not come with extra training equipment.

Worth checking out

Polar Aurora Dog Agility Training Course Kit

What you need to know: This outdoor set comes with six weave poles  plus a good selection of bonus equipment.

What you’ll love: The weave poles are durable and easy to set up. The set includes an adjustable jumping ring, round open tunnel, square pause box and height-adjustable jump.

What you should consider: The weave poles are not adjustable.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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