PETCO on Facebook
PETCO on Twitter
PETCO YouTube Channel
PETCO at LinkedIn
Blog Feed
written by 
Ally Lantis
The following blog post comes from Ally Lantis. Ally is a dog trainer at the PETCO store in Corvallis, Ore. and recently graduated with an Animal Science Degree.
My two Border Collies and I participate in flyball and every chance I get I try to educate people about the sport in hopes of recruiting more flyball dogs!
When I ask most people if they know what flyball is they reply, “Isn’t that when people throw a ball with that chuck-it thing?”
I usually laugh lightly and say “No, that is just fetch. Flyball is a relay race between two teams of dogs (four dogs on each team). There are two lanes with four jumps each (spaced five feet apart). At the end of the jumps there is a spring loaded device called ‘the box’ in which the dog has to do a swimmer’s turn, get the ball launched at them and turn to run back over the jumps toward their owner for a reward.” I next get a quizzical stare and wonder if I explained flyball clearly enough.
A dog doing a box turn
Then again, if someone explained ice hockey it would sound a bit strange…”People put a bunch of protective gear on and strap blades to their shoes then try to slide around on ice while hitting a disc with a long stick and trying to get past other people to put the disc in a net.”
Going over jumps
After explaining what flyball is, the next question usually is “So, what is the point?” To which my reply is, “The point is to get your team under 24 seconds so you can get points toward titles. But if you mean why do flyball, then the point is because it is fun. It is a great way to exercise a dog both mentally and physically. I love that it is a team sport, giving you lots of support from teammates when practicing and celebrating.”
I do flyball for all of those reasons and because my dogs love it. My dogs enjoy doing agility, herding sheep and playing fetch. They like going on hikes, visiting the dog park and going to work with me. However, when we get to flyball my quiet, well-trained Border Collie, Lex, turns into a howler monkey, squealing with delight at the prospect of playing his favorite game. Lucy goes from a perfect heeling dog to dragging me into the arena, and when let off her leash she does a victory lap around the barn with happy little yips. Yes, there is no doubt they love flyball.
You know, I never really knew what flyball was either! I’d love to watch Lucy and Lex in a flyball race! too cute…
Vey informative article.Is their a video to watch?Beautiful dog too.
Here is a video I found on YouTube of a Flyball championship. It’s absolutely amazing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4CSGtllyuQ
Daniel, that is how the Brits play flyball, which is very different from American flyball. Here is a tournament my team and I were at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk-mR55oix8&feature=channel_page
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zf_HbIK4KoE&feature=channel
I see. It looks like the boxes used are different.
Hey guys,
Starting my own flyball team. Check out our website!
Meagan
UN:F [1.8.1_1037]
Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)