Whether you want to train your dog for agility competition or want to make it run, exercise, and increase its smartness levels – a dog agility tunnel is a product you should be looking forward to purchasing. Train, exercise, and make your dog smart enough to tackle fun challenges… that’s what dog agility tunnels are there for!
What are dog agility tunnels? Dog tunnels or most popularly known as agility tunnels are covered subways and tube channels with entry and exit openings. They are mostly made of one of the toughest polyester fibers called the Oxford Dacron; are held in shape by steel frames; and include inserts and grommets for securing the tunnel to the ground. The tunnels are collapsible. And they may also feature a hanging toy for your pet’s enjoyment. Dog tunnels are sometimes also called Dog Chutes.
For agility competition training, you need to purchase a tunnel that meets AKC (American Kennel Club)standards for diameter and length: a barrel minimum of 24 inches, and a tunnel length between 10 and 20 feet. However, for exercise and fun purposes you may buy any type of durable tunnel according to your dog’s size.
Best Dog Agility Tunnels & Chute
Here at PetsBeast, we have neatly picked the best dog agility tunnels to buy. This list includes top-rated dog agility tunnels of the century, that live up to the expectations and make you proud of the investment made. But before you jump into the detailed analysis, here’s a helicopter view of Best Dog Agility Training & Exercise Tunnels.
Verdict: | Product: | Score: |
Best Overall | N&M Products Pet Agility Tunnel | 98% |
Most Durable | Rise8 Studios Dog Agility Tunnel | 95% |
For Small Dogs | Trixie Pet Products Basic Tunnel | 95% |
Budget Pick | Midlee Dog Agility Tunnel | 90% |
Chute + Tunnel | Pacific Play Tent 90001 | 90% |
For Large Dogs | Pacific Play Tunnel Jumbo | 98% |
Our No.1 Best Pick: N&M Products Pet Agility Tunnel
A fine and dandy dog agility tunnel tremendous in its job, polished to perfection in terms of durability, fine for dogs of all sizes, and excellently designed for stamina building. | |
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Length: | 18 ft. |
Opening: | 24-inch |
When it comes to dog agility tunnels, the N&M Products Pet Agility Tunnel brags the No.1 spot for being the best dog tunnel. The tunnel features a blue covering made from sturdy Oxford Dacron and then interwoven for rock rock-solid durability. The tough fabric withstands rough playing, resists scratches, resists dog bites, and repels water if bought out in rain.
The tunnel measures 18 ft and has 24 inch wide openings on both its sides. The long passageway of the tunnel is strongly supported by steel wireframes, which prevent the fabric to cave in. The tunnel supports rough outdoor playing and resists even the heaviest of the storms – all thanks to its eight steel ground stakes that can be driven into the ground to make the tunnel firmly gripped to the surface.
Another thing to love about this tunnel is its ‘FLEXIBILITY’. Place it straight or bend it into the design of your preference such as semi-circular or S-shaped, and make tunneling even more fun for your canine!
This 18 ft. long subway folds small for portability and storage and can be securely packed inside a carrying bag that comes free of cost along with this product.
[box type=”shadow” align=”” class=”” width=””] What Customers Say About This Product: N&M Products Pet Agility Tunnel has a 4.5-star rating on Amazon, with 90% of positive user reviews.Customers say that the product’s functionality and durability are second to none in the market of dog tunnels. They say their dogs have readily accepted this product, and they love running through it and playing fetching through it. Many customers have also appreciated the product for being rain-proof, easy to clean, and foldable.[/box]
[highlight color=”yellow”]Best Long-Lasting Durability:[/highlight] Rise8 Studios Dog Agility Tunnel
A durable dog agility tunnel that is tough built to stay for ages. Either its rough play, dragging along the hard ground surface, or climatic conditions – the Rise8 Tunnel survives all! | |
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Length: | 18-ft. |
Opening: | 24-inch |
The Rise8 Studio Dog Agility Tunnel is the most durable tunnel ever-made at an affordable price tag. The tunnel is wrapped with the strongest 420D/PA Backed Polyester which sends the regular 190D Polyester wrapped tunnels to shame.
The AKC-approved tunnel is 18-ft. long and 24-inch wide in the opening. It can be used either to master training your dog for agility competition or make the canine exercise through fun challenging activities.
What makes us appreciate this tunnel even more, is it’s premium quality industrial-strength stitching. The seams are strong and do not rip apart even in the harshest of the conditions.
Several grommets are attached to the tunnel’s bottom which are useful for gripping the tunnel to the surface. However, customers say that the stakes are not very much strong.
Another good thing to be noted about this tunnel is its strong steel-supporting rings that keep the tunnel stay in perfect subway shape. The distance between the steel supporting rings, called the pitch, is 13.5-inch (other tunnels usually have a 19-inch pitch). With a shorter pitch, you are at a great advantage because it makes the tunnel less saggy.
The product comes with a zippered case, and with every purchase, the company gifts you a 15% off discount coupon on dog tunnel stabilizing saddlebags.
[box type=”shadow” align=”” class=”” width=””] What Customers Say About This Product: Rise8 Studios Dog Agility Tunnel has a 4.1-star rating on Amazon, with lots of positive user testimonials.Customers say rightly accept this product to be the most durable tunnel in a small price range. They say this tunnel makes for an excellent product for dog agility practice and fun exercise. Plus, the fabric is resistant to aggressive dog bites and nail scratches.[/box]
[highlight color=”yellow”]Best for Small Dogs:[/highlight] Trixie Pet Products Basic Tunnel
A simple fun tunnel for small dogs. Place it indoors or outdoors and let your cute pooches have a never-ending fun! | |
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Length: | 7.6-fit |
Opening: | 16-inch |
The Trixie Pet Product Basic Tunnel is made for dogs of small breeds and size. The tunnel is 7.6 ft long and has a 16-inch opening. The compact size also makes it an ideal indoor tunnel for those who have both a small house and a small dog. The tunnel is flexible and can be bent to create an S-shape, L-shape, or a mini curl.
Durable Nylon-wrapping is neatly stitched over round steel rings for the formation of this tunnel. It can also be easily set up outdoors with built-in ground anchors and tent pegs for added stability. When not in use, the 7.6-ft long Nylon tube channel fully collapses for easy storage in the zipper nylon bag that comes free with this product.
For more small-dog-compatible tunnels, you can buy one of our top-rated cat tunnels as well.
[box type=”shadow” align=”” class=”” width=””] What Customers Say About This Product: The Trixie Pet Products Basic Tunnel has a 4.6-star rating on Amazon and an incredible amount of positive feedback from worldwide users.Customers say that this product has best served their small dog activity needs. Many buyers have also appreciated the company for providing them an instruction booklet with DIY tunnel designs, tips, and tricks to nourish pooches with endless fun.[/box]
[highlight color=”yellow”]Best Budget Pick:[/highlight] Midlee Dog Agility Tunnel
An affordably priced AKC-approved dog tunnel that’s a bit inferior to its counterparts, but still an ideal product for everyday use. | |
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Length: | 17-ft. |
Opening: | 24-inch |
The Midlee Dog Agility is the cheapest dog agility tunnel available in the market. Despite going low on pricing, the company has furnished the product with every basic thing to aid in agility training or using the tunnel as a playground.
The AKC-approved tunnel is 17-ft long and features a 24-inch wide opening. The passage flexes and bends to any shape, making playing times even more exciting for the canine. There are steel stakes on the tunnel’s bottom which can be used to attach the tunnel to the ground and help it keep in place.
A fine-quality polyester is wrapped all over it. Plus, the round steel rings (which frame the structure) are closely placed to each other, so that the wrapping stays stretched and tight.
[box type=”shadow” align=”” class=”” width=””] What Customers Say About This Product: This product is newly launched in the market. And as of now, it has a 5-star rating on Amazon with a few sales only.The ones who have purchased this tunnel, say that the tunnel has held up great so far. Plus, they have termed this tunnel ideal for those who are low on budget.[/box]
Best Dog Chute + Tunnel: Pacific Play Tent 90001
A 2-in-1 product featuring a dog tunnel and a chute attached together for agility training as well as making dogs accustomed to challenging drills! | |
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Tunnel Length: | 3-ft. |
Chute Length: | 8-ft. |
Opening: | 24-inch |
The Pacific Play Tent 90001 is a combo package of both a tunnel and a chute. The product is actually a 3-ft long x 24-inch wide tunnel attached to an 8 ft chute. A tough Polyester Tafetta Fabric is wrapped over the durable steel frame construction and there are foamy paddings around strong steel wire structure for your canine’s safety. The tunnel features Velcro lips on its one end, which can be used to attach/detach the chute.
If you need to anchor the tunnel down, there are anchoring straps (with grommet holes) at the opening end to securely grip the passage with the ground.
[box type=”shadow” align=”” class=”” width=””] What Customers Say About This Product: Pacific Play Tent 90001 has a 3.9-star rating on Amazon, with words of appreciation from a majority of its buyers.Customers are all praises for this product, as it features not just a tunnel but a chute as well. For some buyers, it was hard to train their dog to use the chute. But the result was worth the effort.[/box]
[highlight color=”yellow”]Best for Large Dogs:[/highlight] Pacific Play Tunnel Jumbo
The Pacific Play Tunnel is spacious enough for large dogs to rush in and out of the tunnel with ease! | |
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Length: | 9-ft |
Opening: | 28-inch |
Pacific Play Tunnel is 9-ft long and 28-inch wide, which makes it an ideal tunnel for playing and agility training for large and extra-large dogs. The tunnel has a Polyester Dacron fabric wrapping, durable enough to resist rough playing and scratches. This tunnel has twofold sewed creases with reinforced stress points guaranteeing ever-lasting resistance against wear and tear. The polyester texture is a strong and fire-resistant material that can withstand long stretches of play. For added safety, the hardened spring steel wire is padded with foam.
The tunnel stands tall and strong for large dogs, and when not used for agility training, it can be used for building your dog’s stamina.
The 9-Foot Tunnel is easy to collapse and store. Compress the passage and tie the closures along with the built-in Velcro straps. When it’s time to use again, just unfasten the ties, and the huge tunnel adjusts back in its place in no time.
[box type=”shadow” align=”” class=”” width=””] What Customers Say About This Product: The Pacific Play Tunnel has a 4.8-star rating on Amazon, with hundreds of users all praises for this product.Customers say that this tunnel has proved itself as the best bang for their back. They say that their extra-large dogs can easily run through this tunnel. Plus, it has also helped pups and younger dogs overcome their fear of running through tunnels.[/box]
How To Train Your Dog For Tunnel Use?
All breeds, mixed-breeds, and sizes can be tunnel trained. Before you start, it’s significant that your pooch is healthy and reacts well to your orders. If you find it hard to train, you may check one of these Best Dog Training Collars to easily train your dog through stimulation modes. In case you will do this out in the public, he should have control over his temperament and be incredibly responsive to verbal signals, as he’ll need to be off-leash.
Start by letting your dog get accustomed to the tunnel. Start by tricking him in or hurling a treat inside, then rewarding him with more treats and lots of praise when he ventures inside the tunnel after it.
A straight, open tunnel is best for this early training, as you don’t need your canine to frenzy and believe he’s trapped. This reduces the risks of claustrophobia in dogs and can help put your furry-friend in a relaxed state while he learns the guidelines.
As he gets comfortable with the tunnel, you can begin training him to run through the tunnel on command. This is best done with two people. One person should begin him off in a sit-stay, then provide the verbal order to send him into the passage, while the second person waits at the far end with treats and appreciation.
You can keep up with this training, and later on bend the tunnel in S-shape for a more challenging and fun experience for the dog. After some days of training, your canine will go start loving the agility tunnel exercise.
Important Features to Consider When Buying a Dog Agility Tunnel
Check The Size: When searching for a dog tunnel, your first consideration should be the size. You don’t need to squeeze your tall muscular dog through a minuscule subway, but smaller mutts may also be scared by enormous entries. In a perfect world, you need a tunnel that is right according to your dog’s size. The tunnel’s passageway should be spacious enough for your pooch to run through at full speed without slouching over.
Easy to Carry & Store: Look for a tunnel that is collapsible for easy traveling or storage. This will prove helpful when you’ll be taking the tunnel to dog parks for training. Many options fold up effectively and accompany carrying cases, so taking them with you or storing them in a small space is a breeze.
Check tunnel durability: The tunnel’s toughness is essential to consider. This becomes more important if your dog is an aggressive breed. You shouldn’t let him bite on it in any case, but you’ll need it to be strong enough to withstand bites and rough playing. Also, ensure it won’t get torn up by his paws as he runs through, either.