Dog Agility Tunnel Buyer's Guide
Now that you have come across the best agility tunnels that you can find anywhere whether online or offline, it’s time for some wisdom sharing. We’re very hopeful that you’re a lot more enlightened about dog agility tunnels than you were when you landed on this website. We have tried to create this guide as a yardstick for you to learn and improve your dog agility training skills.
Dog agility training isn’t just about buying a dog agility training tunnel and keeping it in front of your pet dog. You’re responsible for teaching and training your dog to make judicious use of this tunnel.
Now let's talk about the different factors that you need to evaluate before buying your pet a dog agility tunnel.
Size of the Tunnel
American Kennel Club (AKC) is the regulatory authority for designing of dog agility tunnels i.e. they've laid down certain standards within with a dog agility tunnel must be designed like the length of the tunnel, the width of its openings, etc are set by AKC. A length of 18 feet and a width of 24 inches is said to be the regulation size of a typical dog agility tunnel. However small-sized pets usually face difficulties in using agility tunnels of such dimensions, therefore, small-sized tunnels are also available in the market, as you can see number 7 in our list is suitable for small-sized pets.
Durability and Usability
As you can see, most of the agility training tunnels in our list are crafted from oxford Dacron polymer. This polymer is very durable, lightweight and comes in budget-friendly options.
However, they're not meant to be permanently kept outside. Dacron can withstand a good deal of wear and tear but it's not meant to be an excellent waterproofing material.
For that purpose, PVC dog agility tunnels are employed. As PVC tunnels are heavier than Dacron and better at waterproofing, they can be positioned outdoors permanently. But, PVC tunnels aren't portable and are thus suitable for professionals only.
The Cost Factor
Our number 2 in the list is your ultimate pocket saver. Only professional trainers should think about investing in the dog agility training tunnels available at premium pricing.
For beginners, the best thing to do is to go for economical ones. By this, we strictly do not mean that you should buy the cheapest one available in the market. Just buy the one which is of top quality as well as genuinely priced.
Why should you buy your pet a dog agility training tunnel?
It is because agility tunnel training is the healthiest thing for a pet to do. I mean apart from licking your face, of course. It is a good thing for the owner as well as the dog for a multitude of reasons, such as:
- By using the trick and treat method, you can easily get your dog to get in or even pass through the tunnel. Thus, making your dog agile in the simplest possible way.
- Step-wise training can be imparted upon the dogs that are unable to make it through the tunnel. You can slowly increase the length of the tunnel as your dog shows real progress.
- After learning, dogs love to have fun with agility tunnels on their own. So, your dog can have some fun on its own while you are working.
While teaching your pet to master the agility tunnel skills, an inherent feeling of trust builds between you and your pet.
Essential Tips for Pet Owners
- Teach your dog basic commands like "sit", "Stand", "Come Stay", "Lie Down", etc. before you start with the agility training program. At least, your dog should be able to bring back the stone you threw.
- You can’t teach your pet everything at once. You’ll have to use strategies such as give your pet treats for accomplishing small steps. Eventually, your pet will be able to learn it all but in baby steps.
- If it seems difficult, take your dog to the nearest places where they teach pets how to do such activities.
