To build one you will need a board 12" wide and 48" long.  You could use 1/2 or 3/4 inch plywood or a 1x12.  You will also need 3 pieces 3" high by 11 1/2"long. Could be 1x3 or 2x4.  You will also need some glue and nails or screws and paint.  All this is available at your local home center.  Most will cut the wood for you.

  With the photo as a guide, nail or screw the 3" pieces to the bottom of the 1x12.  One in the center, and the other two 1" back for each end.  Add a little glue between the peices for strength.

  Give it a coat of paint.  Ours is blue with yellow ends to look like the contact areas on the contact equipment.  You can add some non-skid sand to the paint or buy a commercial non-skid paint.  Slats on top are not needed.

     HOW TO USE YOUR NEW CONTACT TRAINER

  You want your dog to learn to stop and stay at the contact zones.  This is important of you have a very fast dog.  It will give you a chance to catch up to your fast dog, and keeps them from "flying" off the equipment.

  With a target (small plastic lid) placed on the ground just past the end of the trainer and your dog on a leash, have your dog get on the trainer and go to the end and get the front paws on the ground and say "target".  Your dog should touch the target with it's nose.  Treat your dog down low by the target.  Give your dog a release word "OK" or other and let the dog come straight off the trainer.  Turn in a 360 and get your dog back on the trainer, 2 paws on the ground, say "stay" or "target" and have your dog touch the target and treat again.  Give your release word and let your dog off.  Remember to work both sides of the trainer.  When your dog starts to get the idea you can have your dog get on the trainer from the front and run to the end to the target, 2 on, 2 off, touch, treat, and comes off only when you give your release word.  As you progress, your dog should stay as you walk and / or run by and only come off when you give your release word.  Have fun!

PRACTICE,  PRACTICE,  PRACTICE.

Walmart sells a "Float Bag" in the camping section.  It is made by Ozark Trail and is heavy-guage P.V.C. coated nylon.  You will need 4 for them, 2 for each end of your tunnel.  You will also need 2 straps to hold them together.  Ozark Trail has this covered too.  In that same isle you should find a Utility Strap.  You will need 2 of them.  You will also need some sand which is available from your local Home Depot or other home center.  Would be called play sand or sand box sand.  Depending on how big your dog is and how far they move the tunnel when running through it will determine how much weight each bag will need.  15 to 20 pounds should be plenty.

  I put the sand in a 2 gallon freezer bag and then double bagged it just to keep the sand dry.  You could put the sand right in the Float Bag.

  Follow the instructions on how to roll the top together and snap it closed.  Once you have all 4 filled and closed, use the straps to secure the two bags together over the top of your tunnel threading the strap through the handles on the bags and pulling the strap tight.

  All this can be done for less then $75.00.