Flyball Training
A flyball race consists of two teams of four dogs each, racing side-by-side over a 51 foot long course. There are several tournament formats but each format involves racing between two teams at a time. Within a team, each dog must run over jumps, trigger a Flyball box into releasing a ball, then retrieve the ball and then return over the jumps. The next dog is released, in relay fashion, to run the course but can't cross the start line until the previous dog has returned over the finish line. The first team that’ll have all 4 dogs finish the course without error then wins!
Each race comprises of up to five legs, the team that wins the most wins the race. Each flyball team consists of four dogs, plus up to two reserves that can be swapped out after each leg. An electronic judging system that uses lights and timing sensors is used on the start / finish line to determine accurate times, and the winner when both teams complete the course in quick succession.
Tournaments are run in divisions based on the fastest speed of the team in a previous competition or a time declared by the team captain. Arranging divisions based on speed enables the racing to always be competitive.
Flyball is for most dog breeds, as long as the dog is fit and healthy. Different sized breeds can all take part, as all dogs compete over the same course with a concession made for smaller dogs, which is that the jump height is lowered to the appropriate height for the smallest dog in the team. A small, fast dog can therefore be a huge asset to a team as it enables the larger dogs to run over lower jumps.
To compete in BFA Flyball, dogs must be over 18 months old. Some dogs will be fast, some will be slow, some will pick up flyball quickly, and some take a longer time. The most important thing is to have fun with your dog.
Introduction
Flyball is a popular team sport where a team of 4 dogs, “fly” down an obstacle course, one at a time, jump 4 hurdles, retrieve a ball, turn, “fly” back down the course, and through a gate before the next team member begins their leg of the race. Of course, the dogs don't really fly, they run and jump, but sometimes they are going so fast it seems like they're flying! With two teams of 4 very excited dogs competing at the same time, at speeds of up to 30 mph, this is a chaotic, and exciting sport to watch and participate in. If you have a ball-crazy dog with lots of energy to burn, this may be the sport for you and your high octane pup! There are flyball organizations in most major centers that can put you and your dog in touch with other flyball canines and their handlers to get you involved in this exciting sport, or you can teach your dog to run a flyball course just for fun and to provide great exercise.
Defining Tasks
Flyball is a physically demanding sport requiring dogs to run at extremely fast speeds, jump, grab a ball, and turn on a dime. Dogs need to be physically mature before their joints and muscles are sufficiently developed to handle the stress of this activity. In addition, a flyball competition is noisy, with lots of other dogs, people, excitement, and distractions, so a mature dog that is used to being in a distracting environment and able to focus on the job at hand is necessary. Dogs must be well socialized with other dogs, since this is a team sport, and not aggressive with other dogs, or handlers.
In flyball, teams of dogs are restrained, one at a time, and then released. Each dog runs full speed through two upright poles that represent the gate, down a course with 4 hurdles. The dogs grab a ball from a box, which spring releases the balls at the top of a ramp. Dogs turn using the ramp and run full speed back over the 4 hurdles and through the gate before their next teammate is released. This is a fairly complex set of behaviors to teach a dog, but ball-crazy, motivated dogs usually enjoy learning this activity, and it is good fun and an excellent way to spend quality time with your dog.
Getting Started
If you are training for competitive flyball you will want to simulate a competitive course with appropriately sized hurdles and a spring-loaded ball box, the same as what is used in competition. Flyball uses a tennis ball for your dog to retrieve, and flyball jumps are between 8 and 16 inches high, 24 inches wide between the uprights, and have a spread or base of 16 inches. The height of the jump is set 4 inches below the height of the withers of the smallest dog on the team. Jumps are placed 6 feet from the start line, with 10 feet between jumps.
If you are just teaching your dog for fun, then you can set up appropriately sized hurdles that are safe for your dog to jump, and place the ball on the ground, or have an assistant produce the ball. However, before starting training you should ensure your dog is in good physical shape, with no impediments, orthopedic or joint problems, that could be aggravated by strenuous activity. Dogs should also have good off-leash recall, and experience with obedience commands.
To find a suitable training club click the link below:
https://www.flyball.org.uk/getting-started
Each race comprises of up to five legs, the team that wins the most wins the race. Each flyball team consists of four dogs, plus up to two reserves that can be swapped out after each leg. An electronic judging system that uses lights and timing sensors is used on the start / finish line to determine accurate times, and the winner when both teams complete the course in quick succession.
Tournaments are run in divisions based on the fastest speed of the team in a previous competition or a time declared by the team captain. Arranging divisions based on speed enables the racing to always be competitive.
Flyball is for most dog breeds, as long as the dog is fit and healthy. Different sized breeds can all take part, as all dogs compete over the same course with a concession made for smaller dogs, which is that the jump height is lowered to the appropriate height for the smallest dog in the team. A small, fast dog can therefore be a huge asset to a team as it enables the larger dogs to run over lower jumps.
To compete in BFA Flyball, dogs must be over 18 months old. Some dogs will be fast, some will be slow, some will pick up flyball quickly, and some take a longer time. The most important thing is to have fun with your dog.
Introduction
Flyball is a popular team sport where a team of 4 dogs, “fly” down an obstacle course, one at a time, jump 4 hurdles, retrieve a ball, turn, “fly” back down the course, and through a gate before the next team member begins their leg of the race. Of course, the dogs don't really fly, they run and jump, but sometimes they are going so fast it seems like they're flying! With two teams of 4 very excited dogs competing at the same time, at speeds of up to 30 mph, this is a chaotic, and exciting sport to watch and participate in. If you have a ball-crazy dog with lots of energy to burn, this may be the sport for you and your high octane pup! There are flyball organizations in most major centers that can put you and your dog in touch with other flyball canines and their handlers to get you involved in this exciting sport, or you can teach your dog to run a flyball course just for fun and to provide great exercise.
Defining Tasks
Flyball is a physically demanding sport requiring dogs to run at extremely fast speeds, jump, grab a ball, and turn on a dime. Dogs need to be physically mature before their joints and muscles are sufficiently developed to handle the stress of this activity. In addition, a flyball competition is noisy, with lots of other dogs, people, excitement, and distractions, so a mature dog that is used to being in a distracting environment and able to focus on the job at hand is necessary. Dogs must be well socialized with other dogs, since this is a team sport, and not aggressive with other dogs, or handlers.
In flyball, teams of dogs are restrained, one at a time, and then released. Each dog runs full speed through two upright poles that represent the gate, down a course with 4 hurdles. The dogs grab a ball from a box, which spring releases the balls at the top of a ramp. Dogs turn using the ramp and run full speed back over the 4 hurdles and through the gate before their next teammate is released. This is a fairly complex set of behaviors to teach a dog, but ball-crazy, motivated dogs usually enjoy learning this activity, and it is good fun and an excellent way to spend quality time with your dog.
Getting Started
If you are training for competitive flyball you will want to simulate a competitive course with appropriately sized hurdles and a spring-loaded ball box, the same as what is used in competition. Flyball uses a tennis ball for your dog to retrieve, and flyball jumps are between 8 and 16 inches high, 24 inches wide between the uprights, and have a spread or base of 16 inches. The height of the jump is set 4 inches below the height of the withers of the smallest dog on the team. Jumps are placed 6 feet from the start line, with 10 feet between jumps.
If you are just teaching your dog for fun, then you can set up appropriately sized hurdles that are safe for your dog to jump, and place the ball on the ground, or have an assistant produce the ball. However, before starting training you should ensure your dog is in good physical shape, with no impediments, orthopedic or joint problems, that could be aggravated by strenuous activity. Dogs should also have good off-leash recall, and experience with obedience commands.
To find a suitable training club click the link below:
https://www.flyball.org.uk/getting-started
