Yup! Every dog has its 'side' which is why the boxloader is so important! That's Thane's job at competitions, so he claims it is the hardest. We put the ball in the middle until the dog has a clear preference and then we put it on that side.
Lexi plays at flyball
- Thread starter corbinam
- Start date
Yup! Every dog has its 'side' which is why the boxloader is so important! That's Thane's job at competitions, so he claims it is the hardest. We put the ball in the middle until the dog has a clear preference and then we put it on that side.
SheepOfBlue
Premium Member
I would not disagree with him. We had a double fault in one race and everyone was trying figure out why. Then we realized one dog ran all the way and didn't get a ball so he picked one up on the way back 
then dog #2 had the wrong type of ball so puttu! before he got all the way back (he is a picky type). All because the box loader made a mistake. A bad box loader guarantees a loss almost IMO, imagine a really fast dog getting down and finding the ball on the wrong side.In practice once the coach told us to start but Jerry wasn't ready at the box. It was so funny since Angel ran down stopped and put two feet up on the box and gave him 'the look' Really confused her because she was sure there should be a ball and was not coming back without it.
corbinam
Moderator
Wait, you get to pick your own ball, too?! I'm learning all kinds of stuff!
SheepOfBlue
Premium Member
There is a spec but it is loose. Basically tennis balls, mini tennis balls and foam ones the same. Depending on dog you pick size and kind. Sca does big foam but can do almost any type. Small dogs need the small ones
Caro
Moderator
We have a Jerry as a boxloader too! Got to feel sorry for the boxloaders. Rule for balls is it has to bounce, that's about it. Deska's team they all use different balls on different sides, although Deska will use any ball, so atm he is using Frank the Schnauzer's orange rubber balls so if he drops it he can see it easily on the grass. Tully uses small tennis balls as she can't make it over the jumps with the bigger balls.
In NAFA (which is the only venue here), the ball can't squeak. We have a Papillon (not Pierre) who only likes little pink squishy balls. For a little while, Duncan only performed well for little fuzzy blue balls (the Martha Stewart brand from PetSmart).
From the official rulebook (of which I have a pdf saved on my computer):
Section 1.2 - Balls
Each club shall have a supply of unpunctured approved balls (any color). Subject to the size and comfort of the dog, racket balls, or approved balls may be used. Approved balls must function like a tennis ball, i.e., they must bounce and roll.
Sharon7
Moderator
Flyball is loads of fun! I have helped as a boxloader before. Unfortunately, neither of our girls is a ball dog so we never tried to teach them this sport. I don't think either of them would hit the box if you paid them!
Lexi looks like a natural! Now all you need is more hours in the day....
Lexi looks like a natural! Now all you need is more hours in the day....
k9kreationz
Forums Celebrity
This is getting quite interesting. 
Miko loved his balls, but we took them away. No no, that's not what I meant. Miko loves catching tennis balls but he could never trigger the box. LOL. He's my wussy man.
Koji could probably trigger the box, but will he go after the ball or catch it? I'm not sure. He would rather chase it down than retreive/catch a non-moving ball.
I need to try herding.
Miko loved his balls, but we took them away. No no, that's not what I meant. Miko loves catching tennis balls but he could never trigger the box. LOL. He's my wussy man. Koji could probably trigger the box, but will he go after the ball or catch it? I'm not sure. He would rather chase it down than retreive/catch a non-moving ball.
I need to try herding.
SheepOfBlue
Premium Member
Sca was not a go get dog but is VERY food motivated. To teach him I would put his harness on and tie his leash to a chair. Then I would walk out a few feet and make sure he saw the ball and a cookie. I would put the ball under the cookie. Pretty soon he figure out getting the ball meant getting a cookie and another when he brought the ball back. Then I quit putting the ball under the cookie and made him bring it back for the cookie without the cookie under it. That was the absolute hardest part of teaching him (though it is still in progress even harder than don't chase the dog in the other laneThis is getting quite interesting.
Koji could probably trigger the box, but will he go after the ball or catch it? I'm not sure. He would rather chase it down than retreive/catch a non-moving ball.
I need to try herding.
)FWIW to teach him to fetch I threw a ball and he brought it back. I never really did anything more.
As to trigger the box.... hmm a chance to pounce on something
corbinam
Moderator
Everything is going really well with the box. We moved it up just about as far as I can without it toppling over (I have it stacked on some binders). Lexi goes to get the ball and turns right every time. She brings it back, and never drops it! Of course, we play in the hallway where she can't go anywhere else!
Just curious...how do you get them to catch the ball off the real box that triggers? I'm afraid A) it will scare Lexi (though she does love chasing a ball) or B) She will wait for it to hit the ground to go get it.
Also, is it possible that she doesn't hit the box hard enough to trigger it?
Just curious...how do you get them to catch the ball off the real box that triggers? I'm afraid A) it will scare Lexi (though she does love chasing a ball) or B) She will wait for it to hit the ground to go get it.
Also, is it possible that she doesn't hit the box hard enough to trigger it?