Friday, July 16, 2010

High Steppin'

With the help of both my boyfriend and my father, I constructed a brand new agility ladder last night.  I primarily made it because we need new, simple obstacles to use in the non-competitive agility class that I teach, but I am pleasantly surprised at how Marge has taken to it, too.  It took her about two minutes to figure out what to do with it, and I think if I use it on grass, it could be a good workout for her legs (perhaps if I make it higher, also?). This makes me want to keep it, and transport it each week to class for use there.


You can find the plans that I used for it here.  It cost me about $20 to make, and the only tool I needed was a saw to cut the PVC (that's where my dad came in).  You can glue the pieces together, too, using PVC cement, but I haven't done so yet and don't really think it's necessary because mine is staying together just fine.

I'm not really crazy about her using it on the concrete, but I didn't want to move it to the grass solely to make this video. I think it was fine for a couple of reps.




What do you think? Does it look like she likes it?

26 comments:

Chris and Ricky July 16, 2010 at 1:10 PM  

Awesome! Yes, it does look like Marge loves the ladder!

You can buy a PVC pipe cutter that easily cuts PVC pipe up to 1in. in diameter - mom uses it herself - it is super sharp and you have to be careful - but it doesn't create any dust or anything. We made a bunch of jumps using PVC and tee connectors. Cheap and easy! If you want to try it, I can send you photos of ours and you can modify it to suit you. My email is in my complete profile on my blog!

Sara July 16, 2010 at 1:22 PM  

Very cool! That was one of the exercises they recommended for Oreo when he was in rehab.

Rebecca July 16, 2010 at 1:28 PM  

how fun! marge sure is smart!
Daisy Mae

Cyndi and Stumpy July 16, 2010 at 1:35 PM  

What a cool, easy idea! I love excersizes like this. they're such good confidence builders!

hmmm... I don't know if she likes it, but she's willing and she loves the end result!

Never Say Never Greyhounds July 16, 2010 at 2:20 PM  

Great exercise for old dogs that get weak in the rear... makes them flex all those joints and stay strong. I really should build one.

Anonymous July 16, 2010 at 3:42 PM  

Awww, Marge! You're a Most Clever girl! Maybe I should talk to my dad about making ME one of those!

Wigles & Wags,
Mayzie

Lindsay July 16, 2010 at 5:55 PM  

Nice work! She really cooked right through it that first time!

houndstooth July 16, 2010 at 6:23 PM  

That looks like a great idea! You did a great job on it, too!

Muttsandaklutz July 16, 2010 at 6:41 PM  

Awesome! I've thought about building one of these but have always ended up being too lazy. Marge really picked it up quickly -- she knows exactly what her job is and certainly seems to enjoy doing it.

Deborah July 16, 2010 at 9:13 PM  

I thinks she loves it! That is really cool! I wonder if my dogs would do that. I'm thinking they wouldn't! LOL
Have a nice night!
xxoo
Deborah

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! July 16, 2010 at 9:35 PM  

It would so look as if she does!

Amy / Layla the Malamute July 16, 2010 at 10:36 PM  

It looks great!

I've read about those in some agility magazine. It seems like they work really great at teaching them body awareness at the same time as keeping them fit and in shape.

I'm glad that you agree about that obedience snob. First of all, it's NOVICE obedience, so yes she is a beginner. Second, you'd think she'd appreciate the fact that I'd keep my dog away from hers if I thought mine might be a distraction. Oh well. I guess there are idiots everywhere.

Two French Bulldogs July 16, 2010 at 10:59 PM  

wow purrty nice and only $20..good job!
Benny & Lily

Stella July 16, 2010 at 11:32 PM  

Google or You Tube would not let me see the video but if Marge says she likes it, thats all she wrote!

She is such a smart girl!

Kisses,
Stella

Lorenza July 17, 2010 at 12:20 AM  

Yeeeees!
I can see Marge likes it a lot!
I am happy to see her happy!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Anonymous July 17, 2010 at 12:51 PM  

Sending hugs to Marge. I'm such a sucker for a great rescue story :)Loved the June movie. If Marge ever needs a tough guy around, tell her to just bark out for Roo!

Keep on waggin'
Roo

Marg July 17, 2010 at 2:21 PM  

That is a great idea to have a ladder and Yes, it sure does look like Marge likes it. Both dogs here are a tiny bit too old to try this with but it would be fun. The agility is a lot of fun and so is obedience. I really enjoyed taking my Border collie to classes.
Have a great weekend.

An English Shepherd July 17, 2010 at 4:32 PM  

Well dome Marge ! and you ;-)

Wizz :-)

Rufus and Indie July 17, 2010 at 5:49 PM  

I love when she looks at you in the end!
So cute!

Kisses
Rufus and Indie

Carolyn July 17, 2010 at 5:57 PM  

Awesome! I think she loves it!

Isn't it so much fun to make your own equipment? I did a couple entries about equipment I made, feel free to pick off some ideas!

Well done!

-C

KB July 17, 2010 at 7:44 PM  

I think that Marge LOVES it!! It's amazing what you can do with PVC - almost my whole home-made course is made of it.

Marge is so graceful!

Maggie Mae and Max July 17, 2010 at 7:53 PM  

Hi Marge and Sam,

Nice to meet you! I am Maggie Mae. :) Found you on the blog hop today and guess what I lives in NY too! I hopes that we can be furiends.

Woofs and Licks,
Maggie Mae

Kari in Alaska July 18, 2010 at 11:26 PM  

wow thats a great thing to practice with. Did I totally miss that you taught classes too?

Don't forget, we are changing our blog this Friday. Please update your reader to follow dogisgodinreverse.com

Roxanne @ Champion of My Heart July 20, 2010 at 7:41 PM  

Look at you, handy girl.

We just used a regular ladder that Tom had out in the shed to practice foot placement and awareness.

Cinnamon and Mint July 20, 2010 at 9:07 PM  

I had never seen such agility equipment. But, obviously you don't need to jump over it, which means it doesn't hurt my hips. So, I may as well try it!!

Cinnamon and Mint July 23, 2010 at 3:02 AM  

Thank you for your suggestions on the use of agility ladder. Yes, the ladder should be good for both Mint and me. But, a problem is those parts in the T or L shape are very expensive here in New Zealand. My humans wanted to make agility jumps and weave poles for me but they ended up buying them from an agility equipment shop because every necessary part was so expensive! However, now my humans are thinking about reusing the parts of my jumps and weave poles to make a ladder.

  © Blogger template 'Isolation' by Ourblogtemplates.com 2008

Back to TOP