Agility Tabs are a “mini” leash that is used for training a dog for running an agility course. They are primarily used during the early stages of off lead work, when the handler needs a little handle to quickly grab their dog to get it back on course.
This tutorial will show you how to make an agility training tab using a four strand braid method and then finishing the tab with a terminal turk’s head knot.
Tools and Supplies
Tools that you will need are; scissors, a C-clamp, hemostat clamps, a wood burning tool, paracord and a small leash snap. If you don’t have a wood burning tool, a lighter will suffice to melt the cord ends.
Paracord will shrink when it gets wet, so it is VERY IMPORTANT that you preshrink the cord before you start to braid. If you don’t, the first time that you walk your dog in the rain, your leash will get all misshapen and lumpy.
To preshrink the cord, soak it in hot water for about five minutes and then hang it to dry. You can toss it in a pillow case, knot it closed and dry it in the dryer as well, it’s your choice. I like to preshrink a bunch at a time so that I always have plenty on hand when I need it.
I am making an eight inch agility tab To determine how much paracord that you will need, break down the length of your project into inches and multiply by four. 8″ X 4 = 32″ so I will need 2 separate paracord strands that are EACH 32″ long.
STEP 1 - Arranging The Cords
For demonstration purposes, I have taken four different coloured cords and spliced them together. Thread the cords through the eye of the snap and clamp the snap down to a steady surface like a table. This will prevent the cords of twisting during braiding, which can be frustrating for the novice braider.
STEP 2 - Braiding Move One
Grasp the cords in both hands, placing a good, light tension on all the strands. Cross BROWN over PURPLPE. PINK goes to the outside left and TAN to the outside right.
STEP 3 - Braiding Move Two
Take PINK and cross behind PURPLE and then cross over BROWN
STEP 4 - Braiding Move Three
Cross TAN behind the braid and then cross over PINK. The NEXT step (not shown) will be to cross PURPLE behind the braid and then cross over TAN. You will always be adding to the braid with the strand of paracord that is on top of all the other strands. Continue braiding until you have eight inches of finished braid. Use a flexible measuring tape, measuring from the beginning of the snap to the end of the finished braid.
STEP 5 - Arranging The Cords To Start The Turk’s Head Knot
While you are making your knot, plug in the wood burning tool since it takes a little while to heat up.
Grasp the end of the braid with the loose ends poking through the top of your fist. Arrange the cords as shown. Take PINK around the outside of the thumb and lay over BROWN. BROWN will now go over TAN. Repeat with the remaining cords. PURPLE will finally go through the PINK loop. The finished knot will look like this.
STEP 6 - Turk’s Head Knot Part Two
Gently side the knot off of your thumb and tighten it up. To finish the knot, insert the hemostat clamp through the center of the knot and grasp the BROWN cord from underneath the TAN cord. Pull it up through the center of the knot. Repeat this process for all the cords, bringing each cord underneath the cord that is in front of it and up through the knot.
STEP 7 - Finishing The Turk’s Head Knot
All the cords are now poking through the top of the turk’s head knot. Trim the loose cords very close to the top of the knot. Gently melt the cord ends with the wood burning tool in a sweeping motion so that it looks like this;
Now your agility training tab is finished and ready to use at your next class!
Tags: Braiding Paracord, Braiding Tutorial, Free Agility Tab Tutorial, Free Dog Leash Pattern, Paracord Project, Terminal Turk's Head Knot
