1. SmartyKat Hideout Dog Agility Tunnel
Key Features
Lightweight and portable
Contains crackling material to add interest
Ties for easy storage
Manufactured to child-safe standards
First up on our list, we have this foldable tunnel which pops open as soon as your furry friend is ready to use it. Inside is crackling material which is designed to heighten the mystery and capture their attention. When you aren’t using it, the tunnel is easy enough to store away with the attached ties.
This is a great option if you have a smaller pup who needs agility training. Always check the measurements to ensure that your dog will pass comfortably through it. Ultimately, it is an excellent way of exercising your small pet while having fun yourself.
2. HDP Dog Agility Training Open Tunnel
Key Features
Long and agile pet tunnel
Short stake design to prevent scratches
Carry case with plastic pouch included
This 18 ft long with 24″ opening dog tunnel comes in a classic design. The blue cover has been woven together using Oxford Dacron. But there is also an extra level of durability as the grommets are made from steel rather than plastic.
Due to the way that it is designed, it should not scratch your pet, which is obviously important when they are running at high speeds. Also included is a carry case with clear plastic pouch.
3. Pacific Play Tents Institutional Dog Agility Tunnel
Key Features
Made from Dacron 600X300 weave fabric
Heavy-duty construction with interior padding
Easy to wipe clean and collapse flat
Made from a heavy-duty construction of weave fabric, there is plenty of interior padding around the steel wire structure. After all, it needs to withstand a lot of rough play with your dog running through it all the time!
After use, you can simply wipe it clean using a damp cloth and mild soap. When you are no longer using the tunnel, you can collapse it flat for easy storage and portability.
4. Affordable Agility in a Bag with 9 ft Tunnel
Key Features
Agility set with tunnel and other items
Easy to assemble and disassemble
Suitable for most sizes of dog
Usable indoors or outdoors
Suitable for most breeds of dog, this dog agility set provides you with everything you need to get your dog moving like lightning! As well as the 9 ft long tunnel, some of the other items which are included are a bar jump, weave poles, tire jump, and pause box.
The assembly instructions are easy to follow, and everything is suitable for indoor or outdoor usage depending on how much space you have available. There is also a big, sturdy carrying bag for you to pack everything inside.
5. Rise8 Agility Tunnel Bag Holder
Key Features
Laminated, UV resistant PVC
Saddle bags hold up to 25 pounds
Cradle and secure your agility tunnel
Our next pick is not actually an activity tunnel but a key piece of kit if your existing tunnel needs a bit of help staying in place. Made from tough laminated PVC, the Rise8 Agility Tunnel Bag Holder has heavy-duty saddlebags to keep everything secure. Resistant to UV rays and a host of outdoor weather conditions, the design comes in two pieces which Velcro together to fit across the tunnel and can be adjusted to up to 26 inches in diameter. The two side bags hold up to 25 pounds in weight each and have wide openings for easy filling, either with sand or water (although the water bladder is not included) so the whole tunnel remains secure and stable when everything else is on the move, dog included!
Best Dog Agility Tunnel Buying Guide & FAQ
What to Look for in a Dog Agility Tunnel
Before rushing to buy your dog agility tunnel, you should look in more detail at some of the different features and variations. So, here are just some of the factors which are all worth considering.
- Size
As you will have been able to tell from the above product selection, agility tunnels come in different shapes and sizes. Some are only suitable for smaller dogs and cats, while others are sizable enough to accommodate bigger pets. However, if you only have a petite dog, you may not want a larger tunnel as this could end up being too intimidating for them to use. So, before investing in a tunnel, get your tape measure out to get a better idea of the dimensions of your furry friend. The better suited it is to their size, the more likely it is that they will experience the maximum benefits of using it.
- Materials
Many of the above tunnels are made from polymer fabrics like Dacron. Essentially, whatever material you choose needs to be versatile enough to resist the wear and tear of your dog scrabbling through on a regular basis. While these tend to be a lightweight and affordable option, you should make sure to pack them away properly rather than leaving them outside. Alternatively, you could choose a tunnel which is made from PVC. Since these are heavier, you are less likely to need additional materials to weight them down. While they tend to be pricier, they may be the better option if you are planning on training your pet in a serious capacity. On the downside, they are usually less portable and are better in a fixed position.
- Price
While price shouldn’t be the only factor which plays a role in your decision-making, you are probably better off not simply choosing the most expensive product on the market if you have never bought at agility tunnel before. At the same time, while the more affordable options may seem like a good deal, they may not stand the test of time in the same way. Ultimately, it is a good idea to check the reviews to see what other people have had to say about each of the different tunnels on your list.
- Dog Agility Kits
Some of the products available come as a kit including other agility training obstacles and toys. You have the choice of whether you just want the tunnel on its own or if you are really serious about agility training and need an entire set. Again, if you are first-timer, it is probably better to start off small, but if you are a more experienced trainer, you may decide that the entire kit is for you.
- Extra Features
You should also check out what additional features your agility tunnel comes with. Many of the above models come with a carrying case which makes them easy to transport from one place to another. One comes with extra toys which you can use to play with your furry friend. Another is made with noise-making material inside to encourage your dog to step inside. While these extra features may not make your mind up on their own, they may prove to be that little incentive to choose one particular tunnel ahead of another.
Head over to our review of Dog Whistles for more alternatives.
Why Your Dog Should Use an Agility Tunnel
Now, you may be wondering what some of the main advantages of training your dog to use an agility tunnel are in the first place. Well, here are some of the major benefits which this activity offers.
- A Simple Start in Agility Training
If you want to dip your toe in the water of agility training, a tunnel is a great starting point as it is one of the easiest agility tasks to teach to your furry friend. It is ideally suited to gradual training. To begin with, you can shorten the tunnel by scrunching it up, before gradually adding length as your dog starts to become more confident. Once your dog has mastered this skill, you can then bend the tunnel so your dog can’t clearly see the end, which is more daunting for your furry friend, but you can get them used to it with a little time and patience. After you have mastered the tunnel, it is time to introduce them to more complex activities. Perhaps you could look at investing in some more equipment. Alternatively, you could choose a dog agility kit listed above.
- A Fun Source of Exercise
Just like humans who do the same exercise day after day, dogs are likely to become bored if all you do is play fetch with them. By varying up their exercise regime, you can encourage them to enjoy the physical activity they need – and most dogs simply love running through tunnels. As you will already be well-aware, regular exercise is an essential part of the healthy lifestyle of your four-legged friend. And since you will probably want to run along with your dog while they are in the tunnel, it also provides an excellent source of exercise for you too. So, while you intended this to be an activity for your dog to get into shape, you could also find yourself getting fitter too, which is never a bad thing!
Take a look at our review of Dog Treadmills for more options.
- Provides Mental Stimulation
As well as physical exercise, dog agility tunnels also offer an excellent source of mental stimulation. First of all, they have to learn how to navigate their way through the tunnel in the first place. Next, you can start lengthening the tunnel to give them an increased distance to run through, as well as bending it in different directions so that they can’t clearly see the end. You can then start to play different games and activities with them, as well as incorporating different dog agility apparatus into your sessions. If your dog gets more mental stimulation in their life, they are more likely to be tired at the end of the day, which helps them to sleep better and males them better behaved too. Which leads us nicely onto the next point…
You may also like our article on Interactive Dog Toys.
- Improves Behaviour and Builds Trust
Since dog agility equipment offers a combination of training and physical exercise, it is useful in ensuring that your pooch stays well-behaved. Not only are you teaching them to respond to commands, but you are also giving them the mental stimulation which they crave. Another plus point is that you are helping for forge a stronger bond between you and your pet. Dogs love their owners to pay attention to them and provide them with new activities, and a pet agility tunnel certainly ticks both of these boxes.
- Provides a Social Opportunity
Another advantage of dog agility training is that it offers another social opportunity for you and your canine companion. This is especially the case if you decide to go along to dog agility training sessions where you are bound to meet like-minded owners, and your dog can meet like-minded canines! After all, providing your dog with ample opportunities to socialize is another dog owner responsibility which you can tick off the list by taking up this hobby.
Dog Agility Training Tips for Beginners
There is no doubt that starting off in the world of agility training for your dog can feel intimidating at first, but you can soon learn the basics. Here are a few useful tips to get you started.
- Choose Your Verbal Commands
A combination of verbal commands and hand signals form an integral part of guiding your dog through the course. It is easier for your dog to understand if you keep the commands short and snappy. While any word has the potential to be successful, you need to use it consistently. Otherwise, your dog will not associate it with the action. Ideally, your dog should already be able to understand some core commands such as ‘sit’, ‘stay’, and ‘come’. Once your dog has mastered a command, you can then start introducing them to some new ones. Each new piece of equipment should have a different word associated with it. This way, you can get your dog to comfortably move from one piece of equipment to the next. Stick to one syllable words if possible as these are easier to say and more straightforward for your dog to understand.
- Create a Plan
Good planning is one of the cornerstones of successful dog agility training. If you train your pup on a more regular basis, they should get the hang of it quicker. You can start off with a quick warm-up, before diving into the training. Don’t make the sessions too long as you are only likely to exhaust your dog and put them off continuing. To begin with, you should only introduce them slowly to one or two pieces of equipment. Over time, you can start to bring in more apparatus into their routine. Try to vary up your commands to keep your dog on their toes.
- Work on Accuracy Before Speed
You should start by making sure that your dog has mastered a particular piece of equipment, before trying to up their speed levels. Remember to take your time. It may seem like your dog has mastered a certain command in one session, but they suddenly seem to forget it the next. Over time, you will get the type of memory longevity that you are looking for. After that, you can encourage them to become speedier.
- Take a Class
When you start a new hobby for the first time, it can easily seem intimidating and impossible to master. But there are plenty of beginner’s classes out there which can help you to improve your skills. Not only are you getting advice from the experts, but you can also enjoy a more social side to the hobby rather than trying to do everything all by yourself. It is often more fun when you learn together! Also, you can get direct advice and input on how you can improve, so you are not stuck scouring the internet trying to find out what is going wrong.
- Focus on Having Fun
The whole point of agility training is that it is supposed to be fun for you and your dog, so don’t lose sight of this when it starts to get a little tougher and more frustrating. Remember that you are strengthening the bond between the two of you, getting out in the fresh air, and learning a new skill. If you do find that a training session is particularly tough, you can always cut it short to try other things. The next one may end up being a lot more enjoyable.
Our Top Pick
At the top of our list is this affordable tunnel, which has been designed with small dogs in mind. To encourage your pup to get inside, there is a crackling material which provides a sense of intrigue and mystery.
Fold the tunnel up and pop it open whenever you would like. When you no longer want to use it, you can simply close it securely with the attached ties and put it away. The measurements are 34” long x 9.5” diameter, so you should measure your dog to ensure that they can use it comfortably.
Overall, it provides an excellent introduction to agility training for your dog – a hobby which provides physical and mental stimulation for both you and your pet!
