Budwiserbear

Hi all, Once the Dock dogs coordinator has access to dogz online she will post more details about the event. Please see posting from facebook or you can email Kelly privately [email protected]. Please see copied posting below: Hi all you Dock Diving hopefuls, I have some exciting news! The pool has been set up and is ready to go! DockDogs Sydney will have a "Soft Opening" on Anzac Day. The opening is at 66 Terry Road, Box Hill, in behind the Box Hill Lodge dog boarding facility. The pool will be open to the public from 10am until 4pm. It will cost $20 per person for an "All You Can Jump" with your dog. There will only be 50 jumping spots available so please email me to lock in a spot. We look forward to seeing everyone on Wednesday April 25th, and a free sausage sizzle lunch will be provided for anyone with a jumping spot. My email: [email protected] Kelly Messenger

The World Dog Games nomination for flyball teams are now available on the Australian Flyball Association website.

You are trying to teach your dog to catch the ball as it is triggered from the box. I would suggest breaking down the behaviour to reward your dog for catching the ball on the full. (This is without the flyball box) Start with an easy throw near your dogs mouth, use a verbal cue "Catch" then reward and big praise everytime they catch ball. Next start throwing the ball with a little more speed from about the knee height which is similar position to the flyball hole and again reward & big praises everytime they catch on the full. Everytime they are successfull increase the speed of the throw. Introduce the flyball box once your dog is catching on the full sucessfully. Most styles of flyball boxes you can slow down the speed of the trigger by using sponges, this will assist your dog to catch the ball. Once your dog is catching you can gradually remove the number of sponges as it become familar with the speed of the ball from the box. Send your dog to turn on the box only about 10 feet away (Looks like your dog has a great high turn on the box) and give a second cue to catch, only reward & big praises when they catch the ball on the full. (Don't expect them to do it on the first go, it takes time for them to get co-ordinated). TIP: Some handlers whose dogs have problems catching, use their dinner to practice catching their food. Let us know how you go... Budwiserbear

I know Tia does herding, does she have a stronger or natural preference herding clockwise or anti clockwise? Tia's Dad Buddy has a naturally herding preference to go clockwise and Buddy turns right on the Flyball box. Hope this idea helps to determine which way Tia naturally prefers to turn. It all about finding out if the dogs is naturally left or right handed. If you find that Tia is 50 / 50 turning left and right my recommendation is to train her to turn to the left which is the most efficient line on the flyball course. Dallas turns left, Buddy & Arrow turn right. Coco turns right but I think she was a natural lefty but too late to change her now. Cheers

The minimum requirement to set up a flyball course for competition is 40 feet by 110 feet. The actual course is 51 feet long from the start/finish gates to the flyball box is 51 feet including the 4 jumps 10 feet apart plus including minimum run back minimum of 60 feet.

Hi Tony, I believe Harvey Bay Flyballers are on the Sunshine Coast of QLD, you can email them on [email protected]. They have two competing flyball teams and are known as Luv A Regardless. Cheers,