We've been to flyball twice now, and have been learning to run over the jumps (and back over them) and how to operate the box...

Ringo is still confused by the box, although he catches the ball if I release it, a lot of the other dogs are already stepping on the pedal to release the ball themselves. 10 or so minutes a week doesn't seem a lot to practice something. We can't practice with the actual box, except in classes so I wanted to do something at home, and I wondered if I trained him to put his foot on a target (for example a small flat plastic lid) then took the lid to the training classes and I could put it onto the pedal and ask him to touch it, therefore operating the pedal? When he gets the hang of it I could remove the target. Would this work or is it a silly idea that would confuse him?

Naomi

__________________

A carpet sample would work better than a flat plastic thing. It will be less likely to slide off the real flyball box at practice.

It's not a daft idea. It's one of the ways you can teach agility contacts, put a piece of carpet down, teach the dog to have it's back paws on it and front ones on the ground via click and treat, then put the carpet on the bottom of the contact. So it should work.

If you reward by having the carpet in front of you, and tossing a ball for him to catch when his front paws go on it, you'll be well on your way.

We do target practice with a square piece of wood with black gaffa tape on it to resemble the box. Start by holding the wood and getting the dog to place both feet on, click and reward. Gradually move the wood away from you to the other side of the room and instruct target. When you go to training ask the box loader to shout target as your dog approaches the box and he should get the message.

__________________

It sounds like you are using the old 'Crufts style' box rather than a BFA style box? These aren't used to compete on anymore, but when my oldest dog learnt that box I taught him to touch a target and he loved it and picked up the box very easily that way.

__________________
www.k925petservices.co.uk

Yeah - we are learning on these

Although I have one of these which I got in a sale, to use in the garden... but wasn't sure if it was a good idea as it is rather different...

Naomi x

__________________

I was going to suggest that box but then realised that your training on the old crufts ones.
If they do change to the boomerang style ones then yes I found that the one that you've got is quite good as Clover loved using it but the only thing I found is Duke knows that he can go up to it and take it out without triggering it...way too intelligent...good job he's already a flyball boy