Introduction: This easy step illustrated guide to training and racing flyball dogs has been designed to help our members and other clubs starting out.

Pre-flyball basic training: Much can be done before you even start training for real to ensure your dog will enjoy and perform to his/her full ability. This section is as important as the training itself so try to take a moment to study it.

Playing with a ball: In flyball playing is part of the training and racing. As a rule dogs love to chase and the moving ball is a target for their natural urges and instincts. Tennis balls are quite cheap, easy on a dog's mouth, easy to throw or hit with a tennis racquet and they float in water. Play fetch with your dog, its a great way to exercise your dog too!

Recall:

The most important thing is that your dog wants to come to you. If you are not the most exciting thing in your dog's life then distractions will be inevitable. Stimulate your dog to come back to you, try running away from your dog when calling him then reward him with much fuss, food, favourite toy etc. when it catches you. Be extrovert with your dog and talk to him, he will soon pick up when you are in a playing mood. Never forget to praise your dog.

Socialisation:

Dogs are pack animals and a flyball team can soon feel like a pack to a dog. Pre training socialisation is a must for dogs even if you have several dogs already as they can reject other dogs that are not in their pack. This is easily obtained by attending local dog club classes, especially when the dog is young.

First steps in flyball training

Learning the jumps

'Restrained Recalls' needs two people. The helper holds the dog at the 'last' jump (last away from the box). The handler should run in a straight line with a ball in the left hand - visible to the dog. When the dog starts to catch up - throw the ball for the dog in front of you. The holder should stand with the dog near to the first jump making sure the dog is in a position to make the jump. Start with only one jump then progress slowly on to two jumps then three and finally four. If the dog runs out then go back a step and try again. The handler should always run in front of the dog at this stage taking the hurdles before the holder lets the dog go. Keep running and encouraging your dog, with the ball as the ultimate goal. Progress with this until the handler can call the dog from the start/finish line without the dog running out, the handler should still run though.

 

 

 

Learning the box

Once the dogs are used to running down a lane then you can slowly introduce the box.

Again you will need two people, the helper should stand behind the box. To start with the handler should stand with the dog restrained behind the first or second jump then throw the ball to the helper so that the dog can see the ball is now with the helper.

Training the box

The helper should show the ball to the dog and call its name then gently roll the ball down the box in view of the dog or place the ball in front of the box. The handler can then let the dog go and once the dog has the ball quickly run back as before encouraging the dog at all times. ALWAYS PRAISE SUCCESS.

Training the box

If you have mastered this then you can insert the ball in the box. The helper may have to point to the ball at first whilst encouraging the dog. The box loader will also soon notice which way your dog turns on the box and should be able to load the ball on the relevant side. It is of course important for the handler to remember which side so that they can instruct future boxloaders.

A box-eye view of a fast approaching flyball dog!

Training with netted wings

At PODS we like to use agility wings and netted wings to help our beginner dogs stay in the lane. Wings can be removed gradually as the learner dog learns confidence.

Vanessa calls Tico as she returns with the ball. Note Vanessa is running and calling - not looking at Tico - this helps to encourage speed as the dog wants to return to the handler.