I'm pretty new to flyball-almost a year now and our club is pretty small.

About a month ago we had a new dog join-its a young dog just turn 8 months old. I went to let my dog use the bathroom and then to introduce myself and my dog to the owners when I walked by this dog lunged at my dog, foaming at the mouth, lips curled, and snapping.

I really chucked it up to nothing until almost every dog that it came near it would to the same thing. Probably at least at every practice it has attacked 2-3 dogs. By attack I mean its not like a few snaps its done, it goes for the thoart and will not back down. It attacks dogs who are walking by, sitting for their turn, sitting on the sidelines, even dogs that are sleeping. It really seems to just go after any dog its sees first. It missed one week because the dog was sent away because it barked too much. From what I hear they don't do anything with this dog and it is a type of dog that is active, needs a job, etc like a BC.

Its been a little over a month now and they are still coming. Usually 2 family members come with this dog-I noticed the last practice something that I did not like. I looked out of the corner of my eye and I was like, did I REALLY JUST SEE THAT! Then I saw it again and again-I witnessed the family members punching the dog in its hips to make it sit and when it wouldn't stop barking they would punch it (They were like body blocking their dog, in the corner where no one could really see). I also saw the father in a seperate practice kicking the dog and hard in the ribs because it was pulling when he was walked. They always look around and kind of block the dog-but I saw what I saw. Its no wonder the dog acts that way!

The thing that is starting to upset me is its interferring with our practice (its a two hour practice the first hour newbies then the rest later). They come to practice 30-40 minutes late and we have to stop what we are in the middle of because the dog will attack and we all have to go sit down and not talk or move. This doesn't do anything as the dog has gone over the gates to attack dogs. It came after my dog last practice and I had to shove my dog in an agility tunnel to protect him. It attacked a beginner dog a few weeks back and bad,they have yet to come back.

The owners do not even budge when they dog is attacking, they never offer to break up the fight, never look shocked, never apologize or ask if the other dog is okay-nothing! Then last week one of the leaders wanted us to take dog is having issues with passing (very shy) the last thing I need is for him to be attacked! No one runs their dogs when he's around because they are afriad of the dog attacking. Practice comes to a stand still! I'm personally tired of having to sit around for an hour (they work with the dog for an hour) and can't even work in other areas because I have to worry about my dog being attacked. Others are starting to get upset too! I have my first tournament next weekend and couldn't even work on anything because of this dog! I ran my dog 3 times in 2 hours!

I'm afraid to say something-as many others have said just let it go maybe they will go away soon but its a lot of money and time to throw out the window every week! I thought about suggesting that they come in a half hour early and then during our warmup time they could sit in a gated off section and the dog can get used to sights and sounds or even come int he last 15 minutes-something else so we can still have our practice!

I know nothing will help if they keep hitting the dog-because I mean if they are doing that in public and are worried about who sees then what the heck are they doing behind closed doors? Any advice?

Who runs your club & why are they not doing anything about this?? I can't believe that no one has said anything to these people - why are you all ignoring this behaviour???

Sorry, but I can't believe that none of you in your group has done anything about this. There's no way anyone in the club I used to train with would have tolerated this.

I didn't think dogs could start attending flyball classes until they were 18 months old anyway.

Like I said I'm fairly new, been there not even a year and I'm not one to confront people about stuff but I'm worried about my dog's safety.

I think people were hoping that they wouldn't come back or give up but they don't seem to be leaving anytime soon-I mean we have had lots of people start and not realize the commitment and training that you have to do with flyball.

I think now people are starting to get upset, but I don't think any of the members are going to say something. We had an issue with the team capitian's dog for a few months nothing bad, she just got a little snappy for a bit, she's fine now-when that was going on it was all hush don't say anything just keep your mouth closed, you don't want to get anyone upset.

I feel that was a different situation because it was the team captian's dog-you know? There are no nearby clubs (closet is 2 1/2 hours away) and they are very competitive. We are a serious group but not super competive, if that makes any sense and I like that.

I have a tourney this weekend and I was going maybe talk to them Sunday about it-I'm super nervous because I share private lessons with the team captain for rally o, so that would make for an awkward position for me if it doesn't go over well.

I don't know what I'm going to do with this if things don't change, I don't feel comfortable with my dog being in there even on leash. I don't like to hold him, he is a small dog but as soon as the dog enters I pick him up. I might train with another club and run with the club I'm with now but I'm not sure how that would even go over. So frustrating and nervewrecking!

I'd find a new team if I were you, your captain sounds useless.

Why is s/he -
letting dogs that young train?
not realising the situation?
putting other dogs at risk?
not doing anything when a young dog is clearly being abused?

But what amazes me most is that you & your team will stand by & do nothing

Can you not speak to someone there, are you all too scared??? Maybe I'm assuming everyone is the same as me but I would have thought that there was at least one person who would speak up about this.

Well I don't think anyone has seen the dog being hit because I asked a few members that I'm close with and they said no they didn't see it, they were with there dog in a far corner of a room.

It is a Border Collie/ACD mix, so its a larger dog, he's just really doing things like small jumps-like not even 4 inches high and learning to play ball and working on the chute so nothing really more than that.

When we had situation with one of the captain's dog, it was just nipping here and there when it was in a certain place in the line up-I had just started and everyone told me don't say anything. The dog is fine and only runs if other members are okay with it, I think it was due to an close call at a tourney that brought that on.

I don't know what's different with this, because we a small group-haven't had newbies since me which has been a year, I couldn't tell you. I want to bring it up at our tourney this weekend but I don't know how.

I was thinking about talking with the next in charge person. She's very laid back-I though about asking her about this dog's background and its owners. Then saying did you ever notice how they correct the dog? Go into what I have seen, then ask about issues and my concerns-and maybe a solution?

I'm so nervous though, I'm not a confrontation person, but I'm afraid for my dog-so I almost think they should email everyone or have us come in early to discuss it. We don't really doing alot of team things or meetings so I don't know. My dog loves flyball, it is his favorite thing to do so I'm worried if something happens he won't be able to compete again. The closest group is a few hours away and ultra competive, I'm not a real competive person-like I want to do good but I want to have fun.

Thanks for your advice because I don't know many flyball people or other animal people I can ask that wouldn't be in my group.

Hi there

If there was a dog like that that trained in my flyball team i would leave as i wouldn't put my dog in danger of an attack not for anyone

I have to say thankfully my team is run really well and there is a very low tolerance for DA dogs and we don't have any

I have to say i don't think much of your team for having a dog like this when clearly it has some issues which need addressing prior to taking part in any activity. Flyball gets even the mildest mannered dogs wound up and if the dog is already wired so to speak Flyball would make it worse.

If i were you i would address the situation with your team or start looking for a team where you and your dog can once agan the sport

Best of luck

they do puppies from 8 - 12 months but strictly no jumping until 12 months +
I'm taking Duke, but worried he'll get picked on by the other dogs because I imagine the rest will be BC and he's a GSD ^^

Giving it a try, why not?!

As for that dog, the poor thing. I'd report that myself to the RSPCA.

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The class I used to go to had lots of different breeds: the main team consisted of young BC's obviously but the other teams had :x breeds (my Toby!), couple of labs, a JRT, boxer, whippets & a yorkie X (her legs were tiny!!!)

My Toby might not be the fastest dog (he's 7yrs so not as young & fit as some) but he was very ball focussed so was consistent in his runs.

As for the OP's comments I definitelly would raise this & sooner rather than later.

Ring the local paper and ask them to write an article on the team, any problems a reporter will soon sniff out! If the dog is being agressive due to the owners mistreatment of the animal then maybe you should be writing a letter to the Councils Dog control services, The bfa may also help if your Registered or ring the RSPCA but make sure you have evidence and can proof what your claiming, or there may be Recriminations especially if the owners guess it was you and take legal action, and i wouldnt like for this to happen! , Flyball dogs Bark due to excitement.

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T.J.JACKSON

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gi...app_2373072738

I run with a flyball team where all of the dogs have to have a temprement test before they can join. Therefore eliminating these kinds of problems. I personally think that you should speak to someone about this dog's behaviour- whether that is the team captain or the deputy. Because the last thing you want is for your dog to be seriously injured.

Also the way the owners disipline the dog is completely out of order. I suspect that is what is causing the agression. If that is how they treat it in public, they probably treat it worse at home. That is something which definitelt needs to be reported to someone high up in your team. Something needs to be done about this dog as soon as possible- if it is highly agressive at 8 months old, it will only become worse.
Good luck with whatever action you decide to take.