Fixed Arch

The AKC has no rules or regulations for this piece of hardware - for lack of a better name, I call it the Training Arch. The design intent of the arch is similar to the funnel - steer or guide the dog into you or an obstacle. For instance, the arch can be used to:

• steer or guide the dog to come to you on a recall
• steer or guide the dog to enter the weave poles on the correct side
• steer or guide the dog to hit a contact obstacle

The frame of the arch is ¾" PVC pipe and is shown at approximately 30" high. What I show here is too tall for our Standard Schnauzer. The height [inside height of the bar] of the arch should be a few inches more than the shoulder height of the dog. When you order the arch, please specify the height of your dog at the shoulders.

Adjustable Arch

The adjustable arch is made from 1" and 1¼" PVC pipe. The base consists of two 'T' formations which are 1 ¼" PVC pipe. The arch portion is made from 1" PVC which fits very comfortably into 1¼" PVC pipe. The adjustable arch, shown here on one of the dog walk ramps, is 22" high [inside height of the bar] when in the lowest position. Note the wing nuts just before the first bend. These hold the arch in position when it is extended.


The picture below shows the arch in the extended position. It is 33" high [inside height of the bar] in the extended position. When extended, you can move the arch up the ramp of the obstacle which forces the dog to "hit" the contact area.