List of equipment needed for the Canine Training Challenge Classes.

There are five classes offered with the Canine Training Challenge. 
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1.  DASH class
2.  Trail Companion class
3.  Canine Companion class
4.  Search and Find class
5.  Catch and Release and Push-ball classes


​Below we will address the equipment needed for each class. 

DASH Class (Distance and Speed Handling)

Hoops:  20 needed 
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The height of the hoops should be 36” and the width is 36”. The hoop is constructed of two pieces, the base and the hoop. The base of the hoop should be 36”. There should be support feet extending 12” in each direction on one side and uprights that are 16” tall. The base is made from ¾”  or 1" schedule 40 PVC. The “hoop” part is made from PEX pipe or similar material that is 92” long and is inserted into the 16” base uprights. The PEX pipe is pushed in until it contacts the bottom of the hoop base. The top of the rounded hoop should be 36” tall.   

For ONE hoop you will need:

2 - PVC pieces 12" long
2 - PVC pieces 16" long
1 - PVC piece 34" long
1 - four way PVC connector
1 - 90 degree PVC elbow
2 - PVC end caps
1 - 92" Pex pipe

Barrels

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Canine Companion class

Marks: three needed
​Marks can be made of rubber.    If rubber tubs are used the bottom diameter should be 5-17” in width with the top diameter 7”-14” in width, so that the two front feet of any size dog could fit comfortably.   They should be no more than 5” high.   A three gallon equine rubber feed tubs work well, as pictured.
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Marks can also be made from wood or other material.  Construction should be such that the mark is The marks should be 4-5" in height and 7-18" square, so that the two front feet of any size dog could fit comfortably.  The top should be covered with a non-slip material.

​​Step platforms - 4 sets of three heights (12", 18" 24").  The platforms could also be made from wood with a non-slip surface at the same heights and angles. Pictured is a set of ShunLight Plyometric Platform Boxes that work well.

Narrow plank - 1  The Narrow Plank is a sawhorse type form that is constructed to have a top level surface that is approximately 6-7 inches wide by 6-8 feet long and 24" high.  During the Canine Companion class, the Narrow Plank is nested in between two sets of Step Platforms.  Below is a sample of a sawhorse using a pair of Do-It_Yourself sawhorse brackets.  You add in your own 2x4's and plywood top to create the Narrow Plank to the above dimensions.  Below is an assembled narrow plank with the step platforms as an approach and exit from the plank.   

​Bean bags - 3 minimum, if also used as corner markers then 23 are needed.  The bean bags should be approximately 5" square.  If bean bags are used for corner markers, then 4 are needed to delineate the stay area for the dog, 4 for the Mark 1 area, 4 for the moving wait area, 4 for the Mark 2 area, and 4 are needed for the start/finish area.  Three bags will be needed for the Handler's Toss during the stay exercise.  A sample of 5" bean bags are show below.  A variety of colors is suggested if used for corner markers.

​Corner markers - 20  Corner markers could be bean bags as pictured above.  The corner markers could also be low profile cones or another such marker that will not be disturbed by wind or so large that it becomes an obstacle for the dog or handler.  A sample of low profile cones are pictured.

​Contact board - the contact board should be 16" wide, 3-4" high and 42"-48" in length.  The contact board can be made of all wood using 2x4's and plywood, or using plywood over a PVC frame, or by using an exercise platform that is at least 42" in length.  The contact board, if made from wood or wood/pvc combinations shall be covered with a non-skid surface.  Below are pictures of a contact board that is a club sized exercise platforms used in health clubs (with risers shown that are not used under the platform), and a dog standing on the contact board.

Step-in forms.  8 needed  The step by step forms are used in the Silver and higher levels.   The step by step is constructed of 8 boxes with a step distance of 16"-20" and a height of 1 3/4" to 2 1/2".  The boxes could be made from wood, PVC, or the risers used with the health club platforms (pictured above).  A picture of the risers are shown below.  On the right is a picture of the risers in use, where every other one is placed upside down, so that they nest together nicely.

Search and Find class

The Search and Find class will use a variety of containers.  Below are some samples of different possible scent containers.  Clubs can also have other types of containers approved for use.

Catch and Release and Push-ball class