Very easy FB equipment

[Caro]

I'm now taking the beginners and intermediate classes for flyball. Many of the class want some equipment but are not handy with tools. So I was wondering if anyone had ideas for very simple (ie now power tools involved) jumps and turning board.

Also, we have a number of dogs who are scared of the noise of the box and we have a training comp and a demo soon and I am concerned some of the dogs will be put off when they hear the box. Does anyone know of a video that has lots of box sounds? I found some videos on youtube of dogs doing turns but they are set to music so the sound cant be heard.

 

[Lovely]

I've heard of people using a cardboard box. You can teach the dog to pounce on the box and off. As for the trigger noise, I borrowed an old box and spent 5-10 mins a day triggering the box and giving Duncan treats. I would also sit near the box and hold Duncan during practice when our fastest dogs were running. At first, he just shivered, but soon he was barking and quite interested in the workings of it.

I think the thing that really got him to get over the noise was playing 'on/off' on the box, adding in the ball by velcroing it to the hole (no trigger), and then adding in random triggers. We kept at it and eventually, he accepted the noise because he was so worked up to do what got him praise and treats. (and I'm sure an adrenaline high!)