I'm currently doing a degree course in Canine Behaviour & Training & one of the modules on the course is Progressive Dog Training. For our practical exams we have to teach our dogs a certain type of training-agility, scent work, competitive obedience, Rally-O etc. As Monty is crap at scent work & prefers more active stuff, I decided to go with Flyball.(couldn't do agility as it has to be a new thing, not something I've done before). Now, the main problem I have is that, as I'm living in Ireland, there is nowhere over here that does flyball (trust me to be awkward!lol). This means that I'm gonna have to teach Monty at home! The exam requirements themselves are ok-we have to follow the KC guidelines for beginners flyball. Can anyone give me tips-what I could use as jumps, flyball box etc, as I'm on a budget & can't afford to buy a whole flyball kit!lol What's the best way to start? How do I make sure Monty wants to come back when he has the ball? Help!lol

Oh dear, this is a difficult one.

Teaching flyball would be OK, but you need something that will throw, or eject the ball.

Originally the balls would be pinged into the air by the dogs stepping or touching a pad/plate and the dogs would have to jump to catch them and balls maybe missed etc. etc. A sort of pedal bin effect!

However, things were changed and the 'fly' taken out, as dogs were landing on the boxes and it was all getting a bit manic. So now the balls don't fly, except in some demos. The dogs have to take them out of the box, but only when they have released them. If you trigger a box now I think the ball would just 'plop' out! - I know there has been some contraversy with the two methods!

If you can't afford a box, could someone at a college i.e. a woodwork department or something, develop something for you? Or is there some other way the dog could 'trigger' something to make the ball come out? Make sure it is really well padded though, especially if your dog is keen.

There are probably a lot more experienced people than me in flyball - I did it over 10 years ago now - that will be a bit more helpful. I hope you get some replies.

How about trying something easier - like Cani X?!!!!

Kate

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Now, you'll have to pardon my ignorance, but what is that? There's nothing over here in Ireland except for agility. I was thinking that for the box I could make a box with some velcro attached to it so that a tennis ball will stick to it? I'm really lost here, as everyone else is uk based on the course & they have clubs etc to help them out. If only Monty was good at scentwork!lol Thanx a mill for your help though

i do flyball at home (or did - dogs offon injury)

i had 3 jumps (meant to be 4 but our garden isnt huge)

and put a box (plastic and its big) at the other end of the jumps..... i taught my dog firstly to target the box....

eventually i taught her to jump the jumps, target the box (paws) and run back over the jumps... then intriduced the ball.....

you could do that and attatch velcro and put the ball on - eventually.... if you add the ball immediately they will run round..

hope that helps...

i had a video somewhere but since my computer went t*ts up i thnk its been deleated....

if you want to see it i'll have a look later as im just off out now

They definitley do do Flyball in Ireland, whereabouts are you?

You can make the boxes out of some rubber matting and wood, all they do is stand on the bottom of the box which moves the board that's on top allowing the ball to pop out.

I'm sure a google search will bring up tonnes of 'getting started with flyball' type articles.

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Hi

Cani X is basically running with your dog!

CaniX UK: cani-cross, running with dogs

However, with the problem affording a flyball box and getting that sorted out can you change what you are going to do?

I have just started Heelwork to Music/Freestyle with my dog and it is really interesting teaching the moves, how they are started and progressed etc., Ideal for a project on training and shaping behaviours.

There are loads of videos and books - lots of You Tube stuff too on how to do it and to be honest, they are all pretty easy once broken down into their elements.

You could explain in your project how you started teaching each one (and get some video of you starting out), talk about the problems and difficulties you encountered along the way and finally put them together to make a little routine.

All you need is a bit of heelwork, and a few moves i.e. spin (clockwise and anti), walk back, creep etc. Richard Curtis has a good video that shows how to teach them and a lot easier to get hold of than a flyball box!

Canine freestyle or Heelwork to music dvds for training your dog to become a dancing dog


Involves lots of clicker training, chaining and Positive reinforcement which has to be a good thing. If you dog likes to work and agility, he will love it.

Let us know what you decide.

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I currently compete at Flyball Tournaments. If you go to www.flyballdogs.com it has a lot of information about flyball. As far as inexpensive equipment, thats a tough one. On the Internet there is a blue print of how you can build the four jumps that are needed out of one 4'X8' sheet of plywood. According to the rules of the North American Flyball Association the flyball box has to have the capability to project a ball twenty four inches. You can buy a used box for around $200.00. But as far as using a substitute for a box I have no idea! Wish you were closer you could borrow one of mine <smile>.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
Warmly,
Robbin Grabowski

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