Weave poles are a series of upright poles arranged in a straight line, usually spaced closely together. The objective for the dog is to navigate through the poles in a weaving motion, entering on one side and exiting on the other.
During a dog agility course, the weave poles typically come after hurdles or other obstacles. The handler guides the dog through the course using verbal commands, body language, and sometimes hand signals, but the dog must independently navigate the weave poles without any physical assistance.
The weaving action requires the dog to quickly move side to side, threading through the poles in a serpentine manner. It demands agility, speed, and precision from the dog. Training for weaving involves teaching the dog to enter the poles correctly, maintain a consistent rhythm, and execute the weave with speed and accuracy.
In competition, dogs are timed as they complete the entire course, including the weave poles. Penalties are assessed for any mistakes or faults, such as knocking over poles or missing entries/exits. Successful navigation of the weave poles is a key component of a dog’s performance in agility trials.
