Keeping your dog active is important for a lot of reasons—not only for its overall health but also to keep it stimulated as well. One of the best ways to do so is by creating an agility jump that allows your dog to stay occupied while also working on things like obedience.

There is a lot to know about the dog agility jump, how to make a proper course, and so much more. Let’s take a deeper look at the dog agility jump and how you can implement one in your own backyard in no time.

DIY Dog Agility Seesaw

When you watch one of those competitions where dogs navigate through an obstacle course, you will, without a doubt, notice the seesaw. It is part of any good obstacle course, requiring patience and balance on the part of your dog.

If you want to add one to your yard, there are pre-made ones out there, but they can definitely be quite expensive. The good news is that it is possible to build your own with relatively little skill or effort involved. It is something that any DIYer can do.

Step One

For starters, you will need a 2×4 piece of wood. Using a handsaw, cut that piece down so that it is roughly 40 inches in length. After that, you will need to cut another piece of wood that is roughly 28 inches to create the upright. Just make sure that you measure twice to ensure proper measurements.

Take that 40-inch piece of wood and set it on the 2-inch wide face of the other board. Measure to find a point that is exactly in the middle (about 20 inches or so) and mark it.

Step Two

From here, it is time to apply some wood glue so that you can stick the upright to the base. Make sure to pull the upright away from the base, applying a small amount of glue. Gently press the two pieces together, ensuring that they are both firmly stuck together as well as flush to the ground.

The glue will definitely stick the two pieces together, but you will need screws to ensure that it is secure. Drill a couple of screws through the upright and into the stand’s base.

Step Three

Mark two 30-inch lengths of 2×4; these are the supports. Measure one piece, and then you can use it as a guide for the second. With these cut, measure and mark 45-degree angles at the ends of the support. A handsaw can be used to cut them out, starting with the bottom corner and ending roughly four inches from the top edge.

Glue in the supports so that they sit flush with the upright. You should also use screws in the base to support it. Try to get two identical stands here to ensure that you have optimal sturdiness.

Step Four

Now it is time to attach the two stands. Measure out and cut a pair of 17-inch pieces of 2×4. Line them up on the stands, ensuring that they are flush. Use wood glue and screws to secure them into place, doing so on the other side.

Make sure that everything is sturdy and properly lined up before securing it all. You don’t want something to be uneven during this process.

Step Five

Now it is time to find a plank of wood that will be the seesaw. Generally, 12 feet should be plenty, but you can cut it shorter to accommodate smaller dogs.

Start by measuring a line two inches from the center point of the plank. Find the center, mark it with a pencil, and then place 3/4″-inch pipe straps right along the line you just marked. Screw them into place, adding two more on either side, roughly 4 inches from that point.

Screw everything into place, then mark four points on each of the uprights so that you can adjust the height. The standard heights are 8, 12, 18, and 24 inches; adjusting can help to build your dog’s confidence as it becomes more comfortable.

How to Make Dog Jumps Out of Wood?

One of the most common materials in which pet owners can make their own dog agility jump is with PVC. But what if you have an abundance of wood and want to use that instead? The good news is that you can make your own dog jump relatively easily.

You can make a large jump if you have bigger, more agile dogs. Or if you need to make smaller jumps for your little dog, you can accommodate that as well.

Just start by making your measurements. The old saying is to “measure twice, cut once.” Make sure your measurements are correct; they will vary depending on how big your dog is. Make sure to check out what size dog jump is ideal for your dog.

This is where things will get a bit different from the PVC method. Instead of creating cups to connect the PVC pipes, you will need screws to adhere things into place. A few screws to connect the center boards to the legs should be enough to make it sturdy—just be sure to test it out by seeing how stable it is first.

Conclusion

Agility jumps for your dog are great for more than a few reasons. Whether you are looking to keep your dog active, want to work on its obedience and listening, or combine the two, it is a great thing to have in your yard.

If you don’t want to shell out for one of the pre-made units, you can always build a DIY agility jump. Even those with novice DIY skills should be able to create a dog jump for their dog based on size and breed.