FLYBALL!? What’s that?

A RELAY RACE WITH A TEAM OF 4 DOGS (want to know more?)

HOW IS IT PLAYED?

The dogs jump a series of 4 hurdles, retrieve a tennis ball, and return over 4 jumps.

WHO CAN PLAY?

Any dog over a year of age and any person of any age who can handle a dog.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO TRAIN?

All dogs learn at different rates, but it can take as little as 8 weeks to learn and a few years to perfect!

WHEN CAN I START TRAINING?

A dog can start training at a very early age.

HOW IS IT TAUGHT?

With positive motivation and rewards.

DO I HAVE TO BE COMPETITIVE?

No, you can come out and take a set of 8 lessons and decide after that.

WHAT DOES FLYBALL DO FOR ME AND MY DOG?

Develops social structure in a group situation both human and canine, purpose in giving the dog a job. Takes the couch potato off the couch.

When asking that question of people at tournaments, we received a variety of answers, but the main theme was the bond that develops between the dogs and their owners and the friendships that develop between the people.

“I got involved because I wanted to make a date with my dog.”

“Where else could you expand your friendships by 150%”

“When I moved here I got a dog, took a class and now I have things to do on weekends.”

“I needed something to keep my puppy busy while it was growing up.”

WHERE DO I FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION?

Contact our coach (Ferne)

Organized Chaos for the Ball-Crazy Dog

Flyball is a fun sport open to all dogs--mixed or purebred--and their people--whether they're 10 or 70 years old. It's a relay race for dogs. Races are loud, fast and exciting to watch!

The race begins when the first dog of a four member team crosses the start line, jumps a series of four hurdles to trigger a box which releases a tennis ball -- what dog doesn't love a ball!

The dog catches the ball and returns with it over the four hurdles, at which point the next dog is released to do it all over. The race continues until all four dogs have returned with a ball and ends when the last dog has crossed the finish line. The team of dogs that completes the course without errors first wins the heat. And win or lose, your team has a chance to accumulate points towards titles for your dogs.

Flyball is run on a 51 foot track--that's 102 feet from the start line to the box and back. The world record has four dogs completing this course in 15.36 seconds--an average of 3.84 seconds per dog! We're not that fast, but we have lots of fun!