We're doing flyball!

Jess041

Jess041

Forums Enthusiast
On a whim yesterday, I was looking for flyball teams in the Houston area that wouldn't be too bad of a drive. Well, I actually found one that practices in my town, about 10 minutes from my house! So I emailed the contact from the website, and he had Missy and I come out to the practice today. She's at a really good age to start because she won't have to worry about competing until she's a year old. She's 8 months as of today.

I got a lot of really good info, we worked with Missy for a while and they're letting me borrow some practice jumps made of pvc. It was a little overwhelming for Missy, and she was super distracted, but I think she'll get used to it. They have practice every Saturday, so maybe by the time she's a year old (Jan 8th), we'll be invited to join the team!

Now I have to find a good harness with a handle for her.. I found a Kong one at Petsmart, but the handle is really small and probably won't be very useful. Plus they didn't have any girly colors. I want pink or purple! If anyone has harness recommendations, please let me know!
 
Just so you don't get discouraged. Sca took a year from practice to first race. But is now flyball dog champion gold (NAFA awards). So it might take longer to start but when she gets it she will be great. For harnesses google Julius k9 or cleanrun. Sca has a cleanrun and spitfire has a Julius (with lights :cool:)

Good luck!
 
Welcome to the wonderful world of flyball!!! Like Sheep said - it can be frustrating at first to have to wait to compete, but definately keep at it (they will have a longer flyball life if they perfect their turns before competing). Deska had to wait forever to get a spot on a team, Tully started after him but got a spot first because they needed a fast height dog in a hurry. To this day Tully does crap turns and keeps getting shoulder injuries, Deska's turns were perfect. Over here tho you aren't allowed to compete until a dog is 14mths and can't start training until the dog is 12mths.

Once you start competing though, all that energy is soo addictive. What better sport for a sheltie - barking, running and jumping, and lets not forget TENNIS BALLS. And the comraderie of being part of a team can be great.

Can't help you with the harness tho - I use a local lady that custom makes them. The clean run ones look pretty good tho.
 
Yeah I'm not too concerned about her making the team or competing. We're just doing it for fun! We might dabble in frisbee and agility too :wink2:. I'm not quite sure what she'll excel at, but she sure does have a lot of energy!
 
Flayball

Jess041 said:
On a whim yesterday, I was looking for flyball teams in the Houston area that wouldn't be too bad of a drive. Well, I actually found one that practices in my town, about 10 minutes from my house! So I emailed the contact from the website, and he had Missy and I come out to the practice today. She's at a really good age to start because she won't have to worry about competing until she's a year old. She's 8 months as of today.

I got a lot of really good info, we worked with Missy for a while and they're letting me borrow some practice jumps made of pvc. It was a little overwhelming for Missy, and she was super distracted, but I think she'll get used to it. They have practice every Saturday, so maybe by the time she's a year old (Jan 8th), we'll be invited to join the team!

Now I have to find a good harness with a handle for her.. I found a Kong one at Petsmart, but the handle is really small and probably won't be very useful. Plus they didn't have any girly colors. I want pink or purple! If anyone has harness recommendations, please let me know!
Click to expand...

Have you tried looking at the Comfort Flex that Clean Run sells?
 
We also use the Comfortflex Harness. It's a good harness, adjusts two ways and it's pretty light. Max seems to not be hindered in it at all.

Although, you may not need to harness. It depends on how Missy reacts to all the flyballing. Max goes completely nuts and he would be choking himself if we didn't have the harness. But I have seen many dogs not use them and I guess the less the better if she doesn't need it.
 
Update on Missy's flyball progress-

We've gone to 6 practices now, and Missy is doing great! We've been working on recall from the box. So somebody holds her at the box, and I go down to the first jump and call her. She goes over all 4 with pretty good accuracy! Then I can send her back to the other person and she'll go over all 4 jumps. A couple weeks ago, she would NOT go back to the other person! He called her a mama's girl :biggrin2:. So I think it's quite an improvement. The key is treats- she knows that person has treats, and he'll give her one if she goes back to him.

This weekend we are going to a tournament just to hang out and see what it's all about. I get to do my duties as "newbie" and help out. Missy is coming to watch and get used to being around all the fun and excitement.
 
Oh and ball shaggers are great help as is someone calling crosses at the line. Of course the real heros are box loaders but that is pretty intimidating the first time at a tournament (rule is box loader is never wrong but you REALLY are worried about messing up)
 
I think I'm only going to be ball shagging. I did get to do box loading at the last practice, but I doubt I will be doing it at a tournament anytime soon..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top