kayla1 Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 I would love to start my dogs in flyball, but having never done it before I have a few questions! Do the dogs need to be ball focused already, or is this something that is built up over time? I have a couple of very high drive dogs - one (foster bc x) is extremely ball focused, and the other (pap x) I'm currently doing the drive training program with. What level of obedience do they need to start flyball? Is there any training that I can be doing at home to help prepare them? Also...which clubs would you recommend for flyball in SE Melbourne? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoemonster Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 There are a few things you can do at home to get them ready, and a good recall is a must If you're in Mornington then your closest clubs will be Hastings and Frankston, and there is also Berwick which is a little bit further. They all have teams that compete at the moment The things you can do at home are to teach them to retrieve a stationery ball, as sometimes dogs who like to chase balls wont want to fetch the ball when its not moving, also get them onto a motivator, like a tug toy, so they will run fast to get to the ball, and just as fast to bring the ball back to you You can also check which way your dog turns, by holding them, rolling a ball out and sending it to them, to see which way they turn, do it maybe 5 times and you should see a clear left or right. This shows you which side the ball should go in the box (dogs are right and left handed) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayla1 Posted November 15, 2008 Author Share Posted November 15, 2008 Thanks shoemonster. Might see if I can find a good book on the subject also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reddii Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 Just wanted to add that being ball focussed is not always such a good thing. I've seen a number of dogs that are ball focussed and are a handful at flyball simply because once they have the ball they have their reward. My two are ball focussed, but they are more focussed on me so getting back to me to play is better than getting the ball. I'd work to put more value on another toy than the ball so that they are quick back to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulp Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 My two are ball focussed, but they are more focussed on me so getting back to me to play is better than getting the ball. I'd work to put more value on another toy than the ball so that they are quick back to you. Identifying a good motivator is definately worth doing. My lab is very ball motivated but he was slow to return once he had the ball but once I introduced his favourite toy (a kong frisbee) to the process he now returns faster than he goes to the box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reddii Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 PaulP, I'm sure you know this, but for anyone starting out it is important to remember that you can't throw ANYTHING in a flyball ring - not even a used ball to a ball shagger. If you do throw their toy, lead or anything else you will be given a yellow card or warning. Different clubs have different rules at training so best to check with them on whether you throw your toy or not. I do, but at a comp my two ignore their toys, they are far too concerned with getting on with racing - it is serious work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulp Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 (edited) PaulP, I'm sure you know this, but for anyone starting out it is important to remember that you can't throw ANYTHING in a flyball ring - not even a used ball to a ball shagger. If you do throw their toy, lead or anything else you will be given a yellow card or warning.Different clubs have different rules at training so best to check with them on whether you throw your toy or not. I do, but at a comp my two ignore their toys, they are far too concerned with getting on with racing - it is serious work! Yeah, I should have qualified that. I use the frisbee as a tug toy. Actually it is more like a donut now since he tore the middle out of it (kongs aren't quite indestrucible). Edited November 17, 2008 by Paulp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoemonster Posted November 17, 2008 Share Posted November 17, 2008 Ebon doesnt need it thrown, he just has to look at it to get excited I did have a laugh when I saw the frisbee donut last week! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulp Posted November 18, 2008 Share Posted November 18, 2008 Different clubs have different rules at training so best to check with them on whether you throw your toy or not. I do, but at a comp my two ignore their toys, they are far too concerned with getting on with racing - it is serious work! Actually I was reluctant to introduce Ebons frisbee at first because he is so responsive to it I was afraid he would totally ignore anything else to get to it and at first that was the case. But I worked on getting him to understand he had to get the ball before he got the frisbee and things started coming together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spoilt lab lives here Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 Im lookign at getting into Flyball with my dog too. With the toy to return him faster can it squeak? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sayreovi Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 Im lookign at getting into Flyball with my dog too. With the toy to return him faster can it squeak? Unless the rules have changed in the past few months, than yes, you can use a squeaky toy BUT only if the other team agree to let you use it, plus you have to be aware that it very well could distract your own team mates dogs! So its not best to rely on a toy that squeaks....and they might not hear it over the commotion of the race Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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