Getting Started in Region 19 Flyball 

Flyball is a fun sport!  Dogs of any breed or mixture can compete.  Dogs as tiny as Yorkies, Boston Terriers & Jack Russell Terriers compete amongst Great Danes, Labradors, Border Collies, and everything in between.  Your dog does not need to be a purebred dog.  Many rescues and dogs obtained at shelters play flyball.  Flyball is ideal as a "job" for high drive dogs who need an outlet for their energy.  Dogs get lots of exercise, but more importantly, the training involved works their mind as well.

Flyball is the only dog competition that is strictly a team event.   In flyball competiton, four dogs compete in a team relay race head to head against another team of dogs.  All four dogs must jump over four hurdles, trigger a box to get a ball, and then jump over all four jumps on the way back.  Dogs on a team pass each other nose to nose at a start line regulated by sensors that automatically flash a light if a dog passes too early.  Any mistakes, such as early passes, dropped balls, missed jumps, and the dog has to run again.  The first team to finish four dogs cleanly wins!  You compete as a member of a flyball club.  There are several active flyball clubs to chose from or you can start your own (contact regional director Melinda Fitts for help in forming a new club).

It's also a great family sport.  You'll see juniors handling dogs, shagging lose balls & box loading.  You'll also see many husband and wife teams and even clubs that are comprised primarily of one family.

So, how do you get started? 

• Attend a flyball tournament to see what it's all about - check out our Region 19 Calendar
• Attend a flyball demonstration by one of our local flyball clubs
• Sign up for a flyball beginner or foundation class with a local flyball club

Most dogs will need to be at least one year old for a beginning flyball class.  Some clubs have foundation puppy classes for younger dogs that do not include strenuous jumping or box work.  To play, your dog should be healthy and in shape.  Your dog cannot be aggressive to people or dogs.  In flyball, dogs that are aggressive endanger everyone running - a dog crossing lanes to attack another dog can cause a severe accident.  In competition, a dog that attacks another dog is written up and immediately removed from the tournament.  If a dog is written up twice, they are prevented from competing.

Already have a dog trained in flyball?  

• Contact one of our local clubs to join
• Check our the Are you Ready? article to see if your dog is ready to compete
• Contact NAFA to get your dog a CRN (canine racing number) - one time $15.00 fee, you can purchase the CRN online & have a number in minutes
• Come join in a tournament, see the Calendar

Come see what all the barking & shouting is about!!

   

Photographs courtesy of Region 19 clubs, RUFFShot, & Ken Gee Photography.