The embodiment of the animal training apparatus (1) includes a body, in the formof a frame (2) defining a base (3). Barrier mounting means (4) are disposed on theframe (2) and a ballast storage region (5) is defined on the frame (2) such thatballast is disposable at the ballast storage region (5) so as to stabilize theapparatus (1). Barrier elements, in the form of substantially planar elongatepanels (9), are mountable to the frame (2) by the barrier mounting means (4). Theapparatus may be utilized in a method of training a trainee animal that involvesexposing the animal to a confined space intermediate two barriers and then progressivelyreducing the separation distance between the barriers so as to gently acclimatisethe animal to being positioned intermediate barriers, such as racing barriers,for example.
