"Playing Flyball
In the Orlando area!"
Humans (L-R) Rob BItler, Juli Bitler, Diane Fuller, Bobby LaChance, Shawn Rudd, Krissi Wiliams, Kenny Schaffer, Diane Schaffer
Dogs (L-R) Haley (mix), Dino (flat coated retriever), Comet (mix), Tucker (mix), Rosie (Belgian terveuren), Sparticus (min pin), George (whippet), Scuba (Labrador retriever) Molly (Jack Russell terrier), Flash (border collie), Jake (Airdale terrier)
Update on Kenny Shaffer
Kenny Shaffer was involved in a devastating car accident on Saturday, May 10, 2008. He is in critical care at Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers. His support web site is http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kenshaffer . Kenny remains in our thoughts and prayers as we wish him a speedy recovery and return to the racing lanes.
Express Delivery - 2008
Flyball classes will be running throughout the summer on a drop-in basis at Best Paw Forward. Practices are held on Saturday from 3:00 to 4:30 pm. Classes are open to well socialized dogs with strong basic skills at a rate of $15 per class. A registration form will be required at the first class and all dogs must bring proof of current vaccinations or titers to the first class. Please call ahead prior to your first class to ensure that practice is running because we will be away some weekends at flyball tournaments!
Graduates of Best Paw Forward's puppy combo or Basic Manners, and members of Dog-On-It Agility Club are eligible to attend class at a reduced rate.
Pay for five classes at one time and receive a sixth class free.
Call or email Rob Bitler (386) 785-7870 for more information. rob@bitler.com
(back) Juli & Tucker, Rob & Dino, Shawn & Haley (front) Krissi & Molly at the Tropic Flyball Tournament.
Rob helped to set up a news article which ran in the Orlando Sentinel
recently. You can see it here.
Q: But what is flyball?
A: Flyball is an exciting team sport for dogs! It is a really race. Four dogs race for each team. The dogs must leave their owners and run the course alone. The course is made up of four hurdles and a flyball box. The first hurdle is six feet from the start line and each one after that is set ten feet apart. The box is 15 feet beyond the last hurdle. The dog hits the box, which ejects a ball for the dog to catch. Then the dogs return over the same four jumps. The next dog on the team can not go until the previous dog crosses the start line again. The team that has all 4 of their dogs run with no errors in the fastest time wins the race.
You can check out a video
of our first race to see what flyball looks like.
Q: What kinds of dogs can play flyball?
A: Flyball is open to dogs of all shapes and sizes. Any dog which is physically capable of running the course and triggering the box can play. Dogs do not have to be AKC registered. Mix breeds are welcome too!
Q: How can a new person and their dog start?
A: Come and observe a practice (leave your dog at home please) at
Best Paw Forward. We practice on
Saturday beginning at 3 pm. Practice may go as long as two hours. Meet the team and decide if this is a sport
you are interested in learning. We offer 6-week flyball courses four times
per year at Best Paw Forward but please note that Basic Manners is a
prerequisite for Flyball class. Contact Rob Bitler by e-mail
Rob@bitler.com, or by phone (386) 956-8805
with any questions about upcoming classes.
Dogs which have successfully graduated from Basic Manners and Flyball class may be eligible to practice with the flyball team on Sundays.
Q: How can I find out more?
A: Click on the e-mail button to send a message to Rob Bitler and arrange to visit us at Best Paw Forward, in Sanford.
Visitors
Get your EXPRESS DELIVERY TEAM GEAR here! 10% of all sales go directly back to our flyball club.