How to Build a Dog Agility Jump

Co-authored by Haley Yates

Last Updated: March 18, 2023 References

Purchasing a dog agility jump can be expensive. However, you can make your own cheaply with some PVC pipe and a few tools. You can make a large jump for big or particularly agile dogs. You can also make two little jumps for smaller or less agile dogs. With the right jumps, you will be able to train your dog and help it become more agile.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making a Large Agility Jump

1
Mark your measurements. Depending on where you bought the PVC pipe, you will need to measure and mark the pipe before you cut it. Most 1½-inch PVC pipe comes in in 5-foot (1.52 m) lengths. With a tape measure and Sharpie, measure and then mark the cuts that you need to make on your PVC pipe.^{[1]
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Research source} For your convenience, you might also ask the sales associate if they would cut the pipe to your specifications. Whether you cut it yourself or have someone else do it, you will need to make the following pieces:
- 8 12-inch (30.48 cm) pieces.
- 2 48-inch (121.92 cm) pieces.
- 2 5½-inch (13.97 cm) pieces.
- 2 6 ½-inch (16.51 cm) pieces.
- 2 15¼-inch (38.74 cm) pieces.
2
Cut the PVC. Once you have measured and marked your pipe, cut the individual pieces using a pull saw (hacksaw or miter saw) or a circular saw. Using the saw, you will want to cut along the lines that you marked on the pipe until you have 16 individual pieces of PVC pipe. When cutting the pipe, you should place the PVC pipe in a vise or hold it in place with a clamp.^{[2]
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- When operating a circular saw, you should always wear eye protection and keep your fingers away from the blade.
- A miter saw and box may will give you more control over your cut, making it more accurate. You also do not need a clamp or vise since the miter box will hold the pipe in place.
- If you use a hacksaw, always secure your pipe within a vise or with a clamp. This will help prevent you from cutting yourself.
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3
Create your cups. To create a cup where the jump bars will rest, mark a line down the middle of the center tube, stopping when you get to the joint. Then insert a small piece of scrap pipe into one end of the tee joint and clamp the other end to your work surface. Holding the scrap pipe with your free hand, you will cut along the line that you drew. Then turn the tee and cut parallel with the pipe to create the cup. Repeat this step with three more tee joints to make all of the cups.^{[3]
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- Remember to cut away from yourself when creating the cup.
- If making your own cups seems too complicated or dangerous, you can also buy cups online from various pet supply companies.^{[4]
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- The cup should hold the jump bar in place while allowing it to easily come free. This will keep your dog from being injured.
4
Assemble the sides of the jump. Build one side of the jump by putting the pieces together in this order: tee joint, 5½-inch (13.97 cm) pipe, cup tee, 6 ½-inch (16.51 cm) pipe, cup tee, 15 ¼-inch (38.74 cm) pipe, and end cap. Use a block and hammer to fit the pieces together securely. Repeat this process to create the other side.^{[5]
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- You will know that the pieces are connected when the pipe rests firmly against the inside shoulder of the connector.
5
Build the bases. Take one of your side pieces and insert a 12-inch (30.48 cm) pipe through the open tee joint on the bottom. Put a cap on one end and another tee joint on the other. Finally, put two 12-inch (30.48 cm) pipes with end caps into each end of the open tee joint to make it steadier. Repeat this process to create the base for the other side.^{[6]
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- Once completed, the bases should stand on their own.
6
Finish assembling the jump. Wrap a few strips of tape around the bars and the sides of the jump to make it more visible to your dog. Then place the sides parallel with the cups facing each other. Finally, connect the two sides by resting a 48-inch (121.92 cm) piece between them.^{[7]
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- Depending on your dog’s agility, you may only need the lower bar at first and then work up to two bars as your dog gets better at jumping.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Constructing Two Small Agility Jumps

1
Mark your measurements. Using a tape measure and Sharpie, mark the cuts on your 1-inch PVC pipe. 1-inch PVC comes in 10-foot lengths at most hardware stores. However, if you have your measurements handy, you should ask the sales associate if they would be able to make your cuts for you.^{[8]
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Research source} Regardless, you will need the following pieces:
- 8 12-inch (30.48 cm) pieces
- 4 1¾-inch (4.45 cm) pieces
- 2 50-inch (127 cm) pieces
- 4 30-inch (76.2 cm) pieces
2
Cut your pieces. Once you have marked your cuts, use a pull saw (hacksaw or miter saw) or circular saw to cut your pieces. Make sure that you cut straight along the lines that you marked. Because you are making two jumps, you will have 18 pieces total, 9 pieces for each jump.^{[9]
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3
Make the jump bars. While you are cutting your pieces, take the 10-foot (3.1 m) pieces of ¾-inch (1.9 cm) PVC pipe and cut off four 50-inch (127 cm) pieces.^{[10]
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Research source} An easy way to do this would be to mark and cut off a 20-inch (50.8 cm) piece from each pipe, and then cut the remaining large piece in half to get two 50-inch (127 cm) pieces. You can then use tape to mark the bars or use newspaper and spray paint to make more complicated markings.^{[11]
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- You should end up with four 50-inch (127 cm) pieces of ¾-inch (1.9 cm) PVC pipe.
- Depending on how exact your measurements are, you may find that you need to trim a little off the ends of your jump bars to get them to fit properly in the cups. You should not need to take off more than a quarter of an inch (6.35 mm).
4
Build the feet of the jumps. Slide two 12-inch (30.48 cm) pieces into the top and bottom ends of a tee joint. Then put caps on the ends of the 12-inch (30.48 cm) pipe. Repeat this process three more times to make all four feet for your jumps.^{[12]
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- If the pieces do not slide together easily, you might consider using a hammer and block to tap them together.
5
Construct two bases. For each foot, insert a 1¾-inch (4.45 cm) piece into the open end of the tee joint. Then attach another tee joint to the top of the 1¾-inch (4.45 cm). You should have four individual feet with tee joints facing in. Finally, take two jump feet and, with the middle openings of the tee joints facing each other, insert a 50-inch (127 cm) piece of 1-inch (2.5 cm) pipe in-between them.^{[13]
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- Once you insert the 50-inch (127 cm) piece, the base should stand on its own.
6
Assemble the jump. Insert a 30-inch (76.2 cm) into the open tee joints at the tops of each base and put caps on the open pipe ends. Then clip two jump cups onto the 30-inch (76.2 cm). With the cups facing each other, place one 50-inch (127 cm) piece of ¾-inch (1.9 cm) in-between each jump cup. This should give you two parallel jumping bars for each of your jumps.^{[14]
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- You should be able to find the jump cup clips online. You can also make your own.
- If the bars do not fit perfectly, consider sawing off a little at the ends until they fit. The bars should rest securely but fall easily if bumped.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Training Your Dog to Use the Jump

1
Entice your dog with a reward. One of the easiest ways to get your dog to go over the agility jump is to stand on the other side with a treat. When your dog jumps over the bars, give it the treat and some praise. However, if the dog goes around the bars, do not give it the treat. Eventually, your dog will learn to associate jumping over the bars with a treat. Over time, they will jump without being prompted.^{[15]
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2
Take some time. It will take a fair amount of time to get your dog trained to jump over the jumping bars. Depending on their temperament and breed, your dog may take to the agility jump right away. However, your dog may be hesitant at first and need some coaxing to attempt a jump. Be patient and train your dog every day in order to master the agility jump.^{[16]
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Give the dog praise. It is important that you be positive with your dog during its training. Maintaining a positive tone will help your dog master the agility jump and create a positive association. If you yell at your dog or take a harsh tone, it will become anxious around the jumps and take a longer time to master the trick.^{[17]
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Expert Q&A

Question

Is there a way of using household objects to make an agility jump? I would like to not use DIY.

Nicole Larocco-Skeehan
Dog Trainer
Nicole Larocco-Skeehan is a Dog Trainer and the Owner of Philly Unleashed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Nicole has over 25 years of experience working with animals and currently specializes in group and private dog training and behavior modification. Nicole’s business has been named the "Best of Philadelphia" and she is the author of “The Teaching Dog: Partnering with Dogs for Instruction, Socialization, and Demonstration in Your Training Practice.” She was also on the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers Board of Directors. Nicole holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Advertising from Robert Morris University.

Nicole Larocco-Skeehan

Dog Trainer

Expert Answer

Sure, you could try using barstools and brooms to make one. Barstools have rungs on them that you can just set a broom inside of the rungs, which makes a jump out of it. You can even heighten the jump, based on where the rungs are. So that's an easy one. Another idea is to take a couple of chairs, like folding chairs, and a sheet. Set these up to make a tunnel out of sheets and pillows, like when you were a small kid! Or, you can use wine crates or an ottoman as a jump. There's all kinds of fun, creative things that you can use as dog agility equipment.
Question

What do you do if your dog isn't food motivated?

My Universe of Books

Community Answer

Maybe you can motivate your dog with its favorite toy, or give it lots of rubs where it likes this the most. Positive tone of voice and cheering the dog on can also be helpful.