{DIY} 2×2 Weave Poles

If you subscribe to my email list, you know I’m planning on launching TWO new Online Weave Classes!

However, as a trainer, I know that the only way you can be successful with anything you are trying to teach your dog (or yourself) is with practice! And, if you don’t have the equipment…you can’t practice!

So, before the courses open for registration, I figured I’d share a quick and easy do-it-yourself for weave poles!

I tend to practice with my dogs both outside and inside, so I needed to create weave poles that would work well both in my yard and in my house. That’s why this design includes a “base” for the weave poles.

Now, because most of my dogs are larger than 30lbs, I do have to secure the poles when I’m using them, or my dogs will just knock them over. But, it’s easy to secure the poles in my yard with some tent stakes or in my house with some gaffer’s tape (waaay better than painter’s tape, I swear!).

Anyway, regardless of if you will be able to join my upcoming online weave training course or not – here’s my tutorial for building your own set of indoor/outdoor 2×2 Weave Poles!

DIY Dog Agility 2×2 Weave Poles – Set of 6 poles

• 3/4 inch PVC Pipe (total of 80″ per 2×2 set)
• Two 3/4 inch PVC caps (optional, but highly recommended especially if you plan to use your poles outdoors)
• Two 3/4″ inch PVC Couplings
• Two PVC Plugs (Slip) (must be able to fit inside the PVC Couplings)
• Two Carriage Bolts 3/16″ x 1″ length
• Two Hex Nuts to fit Carriage Bolts
• Two Washers to Fit Carriage Bolts
• Steelworks Plated Slotted Flat (one 48″ section per 2×2 set and one 48″ section per every two sets of 2×2’s) – NOTE: the ends to these pieces can be sharp…I recommend filing them so they are smooth, or using your gaffer’s tape to safely cover the ends
• PVC cutting tool
• Socket Wrench (or something to tighten nuts)
• Electric Drill & Drill Bits
• Saw
• Gaffers Tape

Step 1: Cut your 3/4 inch PVC pipe into pieces that are 40 inches in length. Then place the PVC caps on one end of all your poles (optional step based on if you purchased caps).

If you wish to add stripes, or color of some kind to your poles, you can do so now. Traditionally, we used electrical tape or duct tape, but agility organizations no longer allow taped poles, so if you want to be more “true to competition” you will need to paint the color onto your poles.

Step 2: Measure your 48″ Steelworks Plated Slotted Flats 12″ from each end, then mark those spots. That will leave you a 24″ “center” piece.

Step 3: Cut a different 48″ Steelworks Plated Slotted Flats into four 12″ length pieces. NOTE: I bought a Simpson Strong Tie to use as my “feet” instead of cutting the Slotted Flats. It means slightly longer feet that way, but I didn’t have a saw.

Step 4: Drill a hole the same size as your carriage bolts into the bottom of the PVC Plugs.

Step 5: Place the 12″ Slotted Flat pieces on opposite sides at the marked points on your 48″ slotted flat pieces (note: these are the “feet” for your weaves…correctly placed, they are on the opposite side of your where your dog’s feet move through the weaves…see above photos for reference).

Place your carriage bolts through from underneath to hold them together, with the PVC plugs on top. Add your washers and hex nuts to the inside of the PVC plugs and tighten to hold them together.

Step 6: Slip the PVC couplings onto the bottom of your poles and then slide them into the PVC plugs that are attached to the Slotted Flat pieces.

Step 7:  Repeat steps 1-6 to create as many 2×2’s as you need for training. Again, I recommend having at least 3 sets to start.

Now you’re ready to get started!

If you already know how to train your weaves…fantastic! But, if you’re looking for video demonstrations on how to train the weave poles, instructor feedback, and more, then that’s coming soon!

If you’re not already a part of my email list, subscribe to be notified of the release of my online weave training class!

If you have trouble subscribing, or have any questions, feel free to send me a message.

Have fun training!