2016 Top 15 best dog agility training kits for dogs

When we have our dogs, we want to make sure that they’re as physically fit as they can be. This includes making sure they’re running, jumping, and exercising enough in order to ensure their physical fitness. On the market today, there are tons of different pieces of equipment available to help us achieve our goal of making our dogs healthier and more physically fit.

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If we’re training our dogs for hunting, showmanship, or any other extracurricular activities, we may want to consider purchasing agility training kits for our pups to help them achieve their goals and build up as much endurance and gracefulness as possible.

With the below list, we’ve put together a collection of well-researched and thoroughly analyzed agility kits that have been ranked highly by customers. In the list we’ll show you, we give you an overview, pros, cons, and more information on why you might consider purchasing that particular kit (as opposed to others). We want to make sure you’re given all the information you need before selecting the dog agility kit to try out on your pup.

What are dog agility training kits?

Dog agility training kits are a collection of different obstacles—jump over, paw pads, cones, and other equipment—that will test your dog’s ability to maneuver his or her way around them, building eye-paw coordination and general self-awareness of the landscape around them.

You might consider purchasing a dog agility kit for your pup if you’re planning to take them hunting and want to make sure they’re as advantageously poised for success out there as they can be. If you want to train your dogs for shows or any other contests, agility will be a likely factor that they’ll be tested on and should be prepared for.

No matter your reasoning, dog agility training is a fun way for you and your pal to bond over physical fitness and to have some fun. It’s an excellent way to spend time together—and has health benefits as well. In the next section, we’ll show you our fifteen top agility training kits that we—and customers—have found to be the best on the market. Enjoy!

Top Fifteen Best Dog Agility Training Kits for Dogs in 2016

1BarkPark Best in Show 7-Piece Dog Agility Course Set

OVERVIEW: BarkPark Best in Show 7-Piece Dog Agility Course Set kit contains pretty much everything you’d ever need in an agility kit. It has a doggie crawl, hoop jump, 5 stepping paws, king of the hill, a teeter totter, and more. It is for people who are looking to enter their dog into agility competitions.

It’s available in two color schemes- red and blue or beige and green. The components are all made of powder-coated steel and the stepping surfaces are coated with thermoplastic coating to prevent slipping. The installation should be done in a space of at least 70 by 70 feet.

WHY IS IT AT #1? BarkPark Best in Show 7-Piece Dog Agility Course Set is first because it provides the most comprehensive kit in comparison to the others. It also is the widest-ranging and requires the most space to load. For sheer volume and thoroughness, this kit is a good choice.

PROS: Customers loved the large amount of items that came in the BarkPark Best in Show 7-Piece Dog Agility Course Set kit as well as the sheer versatility. The space required was definitely worth it when you considered that the items contained in the kit were all usable in competitions. It’s durable as well, so inclement weather won’t collapse the kit.

CONS: This kit was very expensive (list price a little over 10K), but if you’re serious about training your dog to win big at competitions, it’s something to certainly consider putting money down for.

2Affordable Agility in the Bag

OVERVIEW: Affordable Agility in the Bag kit comes in a sturdy carrying bag and contains free-standing bases, a weave-pole set, a hurdle jump, a tunnel, a tire jump, and a chute for training your dog to maneuver through obstacles. It attaches with Velcro and the five poplar-constructed obstacles can be used inside and out.

WHY IS IT AT #2? Affordable Agility in the Bag is second only because compared to the first, it doesn’t have the same high quantity of products attached to it, though the kit is still comprehensive.

PROS: Affordable Agility in the Bag kit contains many positive aspects, all of which are reflected in customers’ reviews of the durability and extendable qualities of the kit. Customers reported that they had this kit for a long time and even the Velcro attachments didn’t wear down with time. The poplar construction was sturdy and, if maintained regularly, held up in high-quality conditions.

CONS: Maintenance was required of the popular—polishing, waxing, etc.—so if you’re not someone who wants to deal with that- that could be problematic for you.

Most Helpful review (read the full review): “We have labs, and my daughters love to play with them in the yard. My wife bought this set for them, and I think its a great product. It’s not just for kids. The bag is great and manages to fit everything. The chute attached to the tunnel (held on by elastic) sometimes pulls off when our big guy runs through it, but I fixed this problem by clipping binder clips around the rim. I would recommend this set. I’m…”

3Weave Poles Dog Agility Equipment

OVERVIEW: Weave Poles Dog Agility Equipment has a single double jump bar, a chute, a weave pole, pole placement, and a tunnel that can be set up in the backyard or in whichever space is necessary for setup to be completed. It is constructed from durable furniture-grade PVC and is long-lasting. The shipping weight is 55 pounds.

WHY IS IT AT #3? Weave Poles Dog Agility Equipment is third because in comparison to the other two, it doesn’t have the amount of obstacles and equipment. The variety offered is still impressive though, and many customers were satisfied with their purchases.

PROS: A big pro for Weave Poles Dog Agility Equipment is the durability. The materials that it is constructed of are all very expensive and long-lasting, especially the PVC pipe. The variety of the kit is expansive as well, making this a good buy for the price.

CONS: This doesn’t have the amount of equipment that the other two have, so if you’re looking to intensively train your dog, you may want to select one of the others.

Most Helpful review (read the full review): “This product is very good quality and stands up to my Great Danes, who very much enjoy going through the tunnel, although they have to crouch to enter. There are no written instructions, but the vendor includes photos of the equipment so it’s pretty easy to figure out what goes where when assembling. My 12-year-old daughter put the tire jump and hurdle together with no problem. I plan to…”

4Affordable Agility Mini Travel Teeter

OVERVIEW: This Affordable Agility Mini Travel Teeter will help your dog build up all the balance he or she needs to be successful. It’s weather-proof, meaning you can leave it outside in all weather without worrying bout potential damage. The boards are made of a sturdy material that won’t warp or twist. The measurements are 12” high with a board that is eight feet in length and almost 11” wide. The material is treated so that it is anti-slip.

WHY IS IT AT #4? We chose Affordable Agility Mini Travel Teeter as fourth because it’s only one piece of equipment: a teeter totter, and that’s not as expansive as the other selections.

PROS: This Affordable Agility Mini Travel Teeter is heavy duty and is an excellent piece of equipment for those looking to specifically train their dog in that area. The slip-proof nature of the equipment makes it safe as well, and the durability means it’s a good investment.

CONS: Again, this isn’t for use by someone who wants a complete training experience, but for just a great toy for your dog, this is perfect.

Most Helpful review (read the full review): “I have been searching for a practice teeter for my sheltie, and this is IT! I’ve used it several times now, and here is my take on it: Pros: It’s really portable. The plank is made of three plastic sections that are light in weight. I’m a petite woman who weighs 106 lbs, and I can easily move it around and into my car without any problems. The base is all PVC pipe/fittings, and they are also light. The configuration of the base is very stable and easy to disassemble. Secure…”

5FitPAWS Hurdle Set

OVERVIEW: FitPAWS Hurdle Set will make your dog into an expert hurdler. The height of the jumping bar increases in 2” to 30” increments, providing a challenge as your dog completes the maze. It contains four 40” jumping bars and eight cones with cut-out holes for additional bar configurations. There are eight height-adjustment attachments and it comes in a black carrying back for portability and lightweight transport.

WHY IS IT AT #5? We picked FitPAWS Hurdle Set as fifth because it provided only hurdles, which made it a more specific type of agility set when compared to the kits that occupied the first and second spots.

PROS: The hurdles of FitPAWS Hurdle Set have enough height variation to them that they’re able to train your dog thoroughly. They’re heavy duty as well, so they’re able to with stand long-term usage and hard training.

CONS: For some with bigger breeds, customers found that the height ratio (which expanded over a two-foot length) could have been longer.

Most Helpful review (read the full review): “Love it, my did needed this for their therapy.. Also you can use it indoors if you have room so no rainy/snowy day delays…”

6Affordable Agility Competition Tire Jump

OVERVIEW: Affordable Agility Competition Tire Jump has set positions that are congruent with the positions you’ll find in any major training competition out there today. The tire size is 24 inches round and the chain is adjustable, meaning you can use it for different heights. The red frame is made of furniture grade materials and the PVC pipe is sturdy. It all collapses for easy storage as well.

WHY IS IT AT #6? Affordable Agility Competition Tire Jump is sixth because the tire jump isn’t the only piece of agility equipment necessary, so judging on a quantity-basis, this fell after the others.

PROS: For a tire-jump, Affordable Agility Competition Tire Jump is pretty regulatory and will give you and your pet a good idea of what contests will give you as tire lengths. You won’t have to guess—the variability and versatility of the height makes it a good buy that will prepare your dog well.

CONS: Though this is good for setup in all weather, some customers expressed concerns at the metal chain rusting. We suggest spraying with anti-rust serum before usage.

Most Helpful review (read the full review): “the side hooks that attach the line to the tire need to be able to pivot instead of being in the wrong direction…”

7Kyjen Dog Agility Starter Kit

OVERVIEW: Kyjen Dog Agility Starter Kit contains weave poles, a high jump, a tunnel, and a pause box. There is also an instruction manual for owners to peruse and it provides both physical and mental workouts for your pup. It is good to use with kids as well, providing fun for the whole family.

WHY IS IT AT #7? Kyjen Dog Agility Starter Kit is seventh because the kit is durable, though it isn’t necessarily constructed with the idea of professional, real training in mind. It’s not for serious event-pursuers. This is more just for fun in the yard.

PROS: Kyjen Dog Agility Starter Kit is very easy to set up and comes with instructions that make it easy to use and maneuver. This kit is also very portable and easy to collapse too, meaning you can set it up anywhere.

CONS: As aforementioned, this wasn’t mean to be a highly professional piece of equipment. It was more for having fun and playing around in the yard with your kids, and some customers found that the durability level was only matched for that level.

Most Helpful review (read the full review): “I have a 45lb, 1-year-old Australian Shepherd and I wanted to see if she would be interested in agility before I invested more time and money into it, so this set seemed perfect. I also have a 65lb lab mix who likes to join in the fun. THE PROS: It is compact and stores easily when not in use, unlike…”

8The Klimb Dog Agility Training Platform

OVERVIEW: The Klimb Dog Agility Training Platform[/easyazon_link] contains PawGrip soft-touch coating that allows your dog to get a solid grip on the equipment. It is weather-resistant and durable. The legs store for easy portability. This training platform makes it easy to train your dog and prevent problematic behaviors by providing them a space to pause and calm themselves down.

WHY IS IT AT #8? Though The Klimb Dog Agility Training Platform is a great piece of equipment, it serves only one small aspect of agility training: the climbing part.

PROS: Owners looking to train their dogs to climb and stay in one place get their money’s worth with The Klimb Dog Agility Training Platform. It is very durable also, and the adjustable legs mean that you have a variety of heights you can work with.

CONS: Some customers found the legs got rusty and weren’t as easy to adjust as they could have been.

9Agility Gear Starter Package with Tippy Board

OVERVIEW: This starter Agility Gear Starter Package with Tippy Board is a must have and contains a tippy board, training jump, weave poles, and a pause box (where your dog can stop and rest for a moment before going onto the next event).

There are no tools required for the assembly and it can be assembled and taken down easily for storage. The construction is made of durable materials such as a 40 PVC, plywood, and flat paint. This is considered a starter package for beginner-level agility training.

WHY IS IT AT #9? Agility Gear Starter Package with Tippy Board is ninth because it’s really only considered a starter package—it’s not meant to be anything heavy-duty, the way some of the aforementioned products are. It’s meant to be more of a laid-back approach to training to see if your dog likes it or not.

PROS: The durability of Agility Gear Starter Package with Tippy Board is a majorly attractive selling point. Also, it is easy to construct and put together and the kit is fairly comprehensive, especially for beginners.

CONS: Customers expressed some concern about the durability of the tippy board. One had a breakage issue that she believed was manufacturer error—something to keep on the lookout for.

Most Helpful review (read the full review): “This is a fairly nice product. My only complaint is the jump bars don`t hold the bars very well. It only takes a small breeze to have them fall down! I wish they were more secure! Other than that its great for beginners!..”

10Travel Jump Set (4 Jumps and Carry Bag)

OVERVIEW: Travel Jump Set contains four portable adjustable jumps that weigh fourteen pounds altogether. The jumps are three feet wide and range in height from four inches to two feet. The bases work indoors and outdoors and there is a vinyl carrying bag for the jumpers for easy transport. They are made of furniture-grade PVC.

WHY IS IT AT #10? Travel Jump Set is tenth because it really only concerns itself with jumping. Also, some customers were disappointed in how easily the jumps fell over if brushed by the dog.

PROS: Travel Jump Set were easy to set up and the directions were simple, making for a quick configuration by the owner. The height range was also a pretty expansive scope, especially when it came to their length.

CONS: Some customers were unimpressed with how easily the jumps could get knocked over if their dog missed and hit them too hard. This got annoying after a while, especially during training.

Most Helpful review (read the full review): “Given the incredible low cost I’m quite pleased. The only concern I have is with the snap-on pieces that hold the bar. I haven’t had an issue and if I just leave them on and slide them up and down as needed I shouldn’t have a problem. I’d like to have two crossbars but given the price and ease of putting together, this is a great deal…”

11Cool Runners Agility Weave Poles

OVERVIEW: Cool Runners Agility Weave Poles is easy to assemble (the label says it comes together in seconds) and contains six poles for weaving. The poles are adjustable and can have a straight or offset configuration depending on what you need from them. It meets competition guidelines and there are centers that come with the kit measuring two feet.

WHY IS IT AT #11? Cool Runners Agility Weave Poles is eleventh because it has weave poles and that’s it. Also, the weave poles’ durability was called into question by several customers who found that they were knocked over way too easily.

PROS: The weave poles of Cool Runners Agility give you a wide range of distance and are great for this particular set of the agility training, no matter what the size of your dog. When it came to this particular section of training, this kit performed well.

CONS: A con was that they were knocked over easily by bigger dogs who couldn’t physically maneuver the small space.

Most Helpful review (read the full review): “These were an inexpensive and lightweight set of weaves that do everything I need them to do. They work great to train my younger dog who is gentle and careful. They aren’t sturdy enough for my advanced dog who plows through weaves but I have staked them down with tent stakes and they hold up just fine. I’m not sure how well they’d do if my advanced…”

12Dog Agility Training Open Tunnel

OVERVIEW: Dog Agility Training Open Tunnel works well for tunnel training. It is an eighteen foot tunnel that is open at both ends. The material is very durable and the opening is 24” in diameter. The length is 18 feet and the stakes are seven inches long. It’s a very durable tunnel that will help your dog through this stage of agility training and maneuvering.

WHY IS IT AT #12? Dog Agility Training Open Tunnel is near the bottom of the list because although it is of high-quality, it only contains one piece: a tunnel, so the lack of variation wouldn’t allow it to be ranked too highly.

PROS: Dog Agility Training Open Tunnel does exactly what it’s supposed to do and works in training your dog to be as agile as possible in this part of the training section. The tunnel is constructed durably and is large in size, so that you’re able to use it for any breed of dog.

CONS: Again, the tunnel is the only piece of equipment, so if you’re looking for something more expansive in terms of your training kit, you should consider this an addendum—not the whole thing.

Most Helpful review (read the full review): “”Super cool entertainment for my border collie”. She loves it when I throw her toy balls through it for a game of chase. It took her two days to get brave enough to enter it (imagine me and my husband trying to crawl through the tunnel to demonstrate how fun it was to a dog (it was hilarious) Isabelle, our dog would just stare at us as if we were nuts- then we finally enticed…”

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13Outward Hound Agility Kit

OVERVIEW: Outward Hound Agility Kit contains one high jump, one square tunnel, four weave poles, one setup and training booklet for the owner’s perusal, and one storage bag. The obstacles are multicolored for easy visibility and the dog’s high jump is easily adjustable for usage. It’s a very standard beginning case for dogs that are just learning the ins and outs (no pun intended) of agility training.

WHY IS IT AT #13? Though Outward Hound Agility Kit is comprehensive, it’s only for beginners. Also, some owners expressed doubts about how durable the tunnel was (there were some issues with tearing).

PROS: For a beginning kit, Outward Hound Agility Kit is great. It allows your dog to start training without making the commitment of heavy-duty working out just yet. For a basic kit, it works well.

CONS: The tunnel proved problematic for some owners who found that the tunnel tore quite disappointingly easily when subjected to wear and tear.

Most Helpful review (read the full review): “Not a good value. The pieces of the kit are low end materials that are pretty flimsy considering how they’re intended to be used. The tunnel is huge, but the high jump is narrow and the crossbar isn’t secure enough. I wouldn’t pay more than $10 for this kit…”

14Agility Gear Training Jump

OVERVIEW: Agility Gear Training Jump contains a 32 inch jump that works for smaller dogs. It fits the American Kennel Club standard and will prepare your dog adequately for whatever jump they have to make. The jump can be adjusted from four to thirty inches, depending on what you need. The kit is assembled with PVC pipes and is easy to put together. There are no sharp edges because the construction is molded.

WHY IS IT AT #14? Agility Gear Training Jump is fourteenth because it only focuses on one part of the training. Also, some customers were less-than-thrilled by how easily the jump came disassembled.

PROS: Agility Gear Training Jump is definitely regulation size and will make sure your pet is well-prepared for any challenges ahead that may arise. The adjustable size also gives you a wide range of options when training your dog to jump—the height varies widely.

CONS: Some customers reported that the jump got knocked down easily and caused them problems in that arena.

Most Helpful review (read the full review): “I had read the reviews that complained of flimsy construction but. I think that’s why I like it. When my dog doesn’t clear the jump I don’t have worry about injury…”

15Lixit Jump Hoop Dog Agility Starter Equipment

OVERVIEW: Lixit Jump Hoop Dog Agility Starter Equipment contains six hoops with adjustable height positions that are easy to change. There are spikes included to hold them upright that are constructed from a heavy-duty material. The hoops are 20” and there is a carry bag included. It’s great for medium-sized dogs looking to train in this particular agility session.

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WHY IS IT AT #15? We chose to put Lixit Jump Hoop Dog Agility Starter Equipment last because it was limited in scope and, when compared to other training materials that included the same equipment, customers found that this was less-sturdy.

PROS: As a starter kit, Lixit Jump Hoop Dog Agility Starter Equipment is great. It has just the base materials. Even for out-in-the-yard play time with your dog and kids, this works well. It has all the materials needed for basic use and training, and it won’t break the bank either.

CONS: You get what you pay for and since this is a starter kit, it doesn’t have the durability of heavier piece of machinery. Customers experienced breakage with the hoops, though that experience wasn’t widely-documented.

Most Helpful review (read the full review): “Very well made, easy to put together! Fun, fun, fun for you and your dog. Lots of time to get them use to going through. Great to adjust for height…”

How do I select the best dog agility training kit?

It really comes down to what you believe your dog’s best areas and weakest areas are, as well as how far you want him or her to take the training in the future. If you’re just starting out, purchase a starter kit like the few we showed you. If you already have a kit but feel your dog needs practice in one particular area, choose one of the more specific ones.

It’s all dependent on the skill level. If you plan to train your dog professionally, consider investing in one of the more expansive agility trainers, as that will increase the likelihood that your dog will become accustomed to professional training more quickly and successfully. No matter what you decide, hopefully we’ve helped you choose which kit is right for you and your dog. Happy training!

We want to make sure that our readers are aware that we are NOT sponsored by any of the manufacturers and dog companies mentioned in this article. Please note that we do our best to provide accurate information, but we highly encourage dog owners to always double-check other sources for additional tips on best dog agility kits so that you can make a more accurate decision of what’s best for you, and your canine.

The above overview of best agility training kits for dogs should give pet owners a good idea of best rated dog supplies, but please also make sure that you read the more about top agility dog training kit reviews from multiple customers before you purchase any dog products. Sometimes, those reviews from pet parents can provide more information than any dog supplies website ever could. Finally, I hope this list was helpful, and if you tried any of these dog products, please let us know of your experience in the comments below.

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