As part of my online platform The Agility Challenge, I offer Monthly Canine Conditioning Challenges, designed and presented by Kelly Daniel of Hybrid Dog Training (NZ 🇳🇿). Kelly has some cool and informative Challenges designed to help you get your dog going with Cavaletti, and recently, I made my own adjustable Canine Cavalettis out of some 3/4″ PVC I had laying around (It was actually a set of 3/4″ PVC I was using for weave poles!).
My Canine Cavaletti are 24″ wide, and the legs, which spin on the ends, are 3″, 4″, 5″, and 6″ – this way, I can change the height of the Cavaletti based on which legs are touching the ground. This is a quick and easy project – play around with it and make your own Canine Cavaletti, suitable for your dog’s height! If you’re not sure how high to make those Cavaletti for safety and fitness, reach out to Kelly Daniel of Hybrid Dog Training (NZ 🇳🇿) for more information!
Crafting Your Own Canine Cavaletti
Materials Needed (depending on whether you make four cavaletti or up to ten):
- Four-Ten (4-10) PVC poles, each approximately 2 feet long.
- Eight-Twenty (8-20) 5-way PVC connectors.
- Four-Ten (4-10) sets of PVC “legs” (each set includes eight PVC poles of varying lengths).
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Attach the PVC Legs:
- Connect each 5-way PVC connector to PVC legs of four different lengths. These connectors will raise the cavaletti poles above the ground.
- Make sure the legs on each end of the PVC pole are a mirror image of one another – they will be ‘handed’.
- Create sets of connectors with legs that match.
- Attach the PVC Connectors:
- Attach the PVC connectors to the ends of the PVC poles.
- Adjust the pieces so they fit together nicely at both ends.
Adjustable Heights:
- By rotating the poles, you can change the height of your cavaletti.
- Our poles are 3/4” in diameter, with legs measuring 3″, 4″, 5″, and 6″ long.
- This gives us four different heights: approximately 2.75”, 3”, 3.25”, and 3.5” tall.
- If you prefer taller poles, consider using longer legs.
Safety First:
- Consult with Kelly Daniel of Hybrid Dog Training (NZ 🇳🇿) for guidance on setting the right height for your dog.
- Remember that cavaletti poles should be set no higher than your dog’s hock height.
Get creative, have fun, and enjoy watching your pup conquer these adjustable Canine Cavaletti! 🐶💪