kids tents tunnels image
Brooke A
Currently, I'm using a construction-type ditch pipe. I'd also like to know where I can purchase some nylon for the tunnel cover.
Answer
Bad idea. A good agility dog comes out of a tunnel faster than he went in it (and he went in it fast). That's because they can use the cloth of the tunnel for purchase. And they can run on the walls using centrifugal force. And the tunnel has give.
Your construction pipe will be slick inside and therefore difficult to get purchase on. The dog will have trouble running on the sides. Most importantly, when the enters at an angle and hits solid pipe, he'll learn to slow up. Your pipe will be teaching the dog to SLOW up when entering the tunnel. Totally wrong approach.
A stiff cardboard box is a far superior alternative. Dog's don't perceive the world the way we do. You see a pipe as similar to a tunnel because you're focusing on shapes. A dog sees a stiff card board box as similar to a competition grade tunnel because his experience running inside is more similar than it would be running inside a construction-grade pipe (that is more similar in shape to a competition-grade tunnel). Don't think like a human, think like a dog!
As for making/acquiring a tunnel:
--Look at Affordableagility.com and you'll find a competition-grade tunnel for $150.
--If you really want to go cheap, go to Target or JC Penny and buy a plastic kid's tunnel for $20. That is less than the material you'll spend MAKING a tunnel.
--If you insist on MAKING a tunnel, than the key is the piping that provides a secure but flexible tunnel frame. Almost any cloth that is stiff nylon or rip-stop will do keeping in mind that without any kind of rubber treat, your tunnel will develop rot and mold very quickly and will probably last less than 12 months (unless you can move it inside).
However, I suspect you aren't really trying to make a tunnel but a chute. In which case your approach makes more sense.
1. Go to affordable agility. Buy "agility in a bag." For $150 you get 6 PVC weave poles, 2 PVC adjustable jumps, a worthless pause box, a mediocre tire, and a perfectly useable chute (short tunnel with very appropriate cloth chute). It's worth the time and money you'd spend making the darn thing to just buy the kit. It even comes with a travel bag!
2. If you insist on making a chute, I still wouldn't use the construction ditch pipe. The challenge with the chute is to get material that isn't too light or too heavy. Too light and it becomes easily tangled, your dog will panic and you've trained them not to like the chute. To heavy and a small dog can't push it's way through. Some tent tarps or extendable covers (at a Target or camping store) might be appropriate as long as they aren't heavy duty material. Often times, tents or sunshades will have an extendable awning--that's the kind of material (and probably in an appropriate size) you'd be looking for. But the catch is--that will probably cost you more than it would to just buy the chute from Affordable agility.
Bad idea. A good agility dog comes out of a tunnel faster than he went in it (and he went in it fast). That's because they can use the cloth of the tunnel for purchase. And they can run on the walls using centrifugal force. And the tunnel has give.
Your construction pipe will be slick inside and therefore difficult to get purchase on. The dog will have trouble running on the sides. Most importantly, when the enters at an angle and hits solid pipe, he'll learn to slow up. Your pipe will be teaching the dog to SLOW up when entering the tunnel. Totally wrong approach.
A stiff cardboard box is a far superior alternative. Dog's don't perceive the world the way we do. You see a pipe as similar to a tunnel because you're focusing on shapes. A dog sees a stiff card board box as similar to a competition grade tunnel because his experience running inside is more similar than it would be running inside a construction-grade pipe (that is more similar in shape to a competition-grade tunnel). Don't think like a human, think like a dog!
As for making/acquiring a tunnel:
--Look at Affordableagility.com and you'll find a competition-grade tunnel for $150.
--If you really want to go cheap, go to Target or JC Penny and buy a plastic kid's tunnel for $20. That is less than the material you'll spend MAKING a tunnel.
--If you insist on MAKING a tunnel, than the key is the piping that provides a secure but flexible tunnel frame. Almost any cloth that is stiff nylon or rip-stop will do keeping in mind that without any kind of rubber treat, your tunnel will develop rot and mold very quickly and will probably last less than 12 months (unless you can move it inside).
However, I suspect you aren't really trying to make a tunnel but a chute. In which case your approach makes more sense.
1. Go to affordable agility. Buy "agility in a bag." For $150 you get 6 PVC weave poles, 2 PVC adjustable jumps, a worthless pause box, a mediocre tire, and a perfectly useable chute (short tunnel with very appropriate cloth chute). It's worth the time and money you'd spend making the darn thing to just buy the kit. It even comes with a travel bag!
2. If you insist on making a chute, I still wouldn't use the construction ditch pipe. The challenge with the chute is to get material that isn't too light or too heavy. Too light and it becomes easily tangled, your dog will panic and you've trained them not to like the chute. To heavy and a small dog can't push it's way through. Some tent tarps or extendable covers (at a Target or camping store) might be appropriate as long as they aren't heavy duty material. Often times, tents or sunshades will have an extendable awning--that's the kind of material (and probably in an appropriate size) you'd be looking for. But the catch is--that will probably cost you more than it would to just buy the chute from Affordable agility.
What are you getting your babies for Christmas?
Shaelyn Ca
My baby girl will turn 10 months on Christmas Eve.She's getting a nice baby doll,the laugh and learn homeset,a my puppy pal,and a toy table.That's not including what she will get from family!From her grandparents she's getting her playroom done.The walls are going to be hot pink,then she's going to have kid sized furniture that's a zebra pattern.So cute!
Answer
I haven't talked to you in so long, nice to see you again:)
My daughter will be around 18 months by the time of Christmas.
I have not finished shopping yet, I'm kind of falling behind.lol So far, the presents I have for her are:
Pop-up play set indoor tunnel/tent.
A leap frog my puppy pal.
A 35 inch teddy bear, which will be taller then her
A leap frog alphabet pal
I think my parents are getting her a pink motorcycle ride-on with a side car. & Blocks, books.
And I think her daddies parents are getting her this up & down roller coaster ride on thing, & Clothes,
I don't know what other family members are getting her.
edit:Daniel's Mum~Due 04/03/10 how exciting, his first bed!
I haven't talked to you in so long, nice to see you again:)
My daughter will be around 18 months by the time of Christmas.
I have not finished shopping yet, I'm kind of falling behind.lol So far, the presents I have for her are:
Pop-up play set indoor tunnel/tent.
A leap frog my puppy pal.
A 35 inch teddy bear, which will be taller then her
A leap frog alphabet pal
I think my parents are getting her a pink motorcycle ride-on with a side car. & Blocks, books.
And I think her daddies parents are getting her this up & down roller coaster ride on thing, & Clothes,
I don't know what other family members are getting her.
edit:Daniel's Mum~Due 04/03/10 how exciting, his first bed!
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