Flyball training? (North metro Atlanta, anyone?)

[Mara]

Nephew has 2 Border Collies in dire need of jobs and activity; one is 3 years old and the other is about 5-6 months.

Sent him some links to flyball vids on YouTube recently, and he’s pretty excited about it. Now, I know it’s not something that can be taught in a day, but does anyone know of training programs or clubs that offer courses like “Flyball 101”?

I didn’t point out what I suspect he may already know, which is that the dogs are going to need a firm foundation in obedience and socialization. If he’s serious about getting into this, I’ll let the “pros” make that point!

[irkenequine]

I don’t know a direct answer to your question except to say GO FOR IT. I play in SC for the Greater Columbia Obedience Club, started with my deafblind cattle dog in mid-May and we’re headed to our first competition in September. Its amazing how quickly he’s picked it up and how much he LOVES IT.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iUi4ZuZGyw&feature=relmfu

This was him after the first week (note: day 1 he was terrified of the box, skittish, hated it, resisted the entire class, so I contemplated quitting and thought it’d be a waste of my time.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivgf5JIUKTg&feature=plcp

This was him at the end of the first 6-week class.

I will say honestly that in all of the dog sports I’ve done, this one is the LEAST focused on trainability. The mantra is “there are no No’s in flyball!” THey don’t need to have a heel, or a hard and fast stay—all they have to do is retrieve a ball in a hurry. If his guys have drive they’ll become addicts.

I know there are may tournaments in Georgia and Augusta so there has to be a team locally.

[Mara]

Thank you! Yes, there is a club in Athens that also offers training classes. That’s not far from them at all.

He can’t stop talking about it; I really do hope he follows through.

And I’m so happy for you and Tovin that flyball is working out. How cool, and he looks like he’s having so much fun!

[irkenequine]

Thats just awesome. He’ll get ‘bit’ by the bug and become an addict like the rest of us. Just a great community of people. Who knows, in 6 months we’ll probably run into each other at a tournament!

The box work can be a struggle at first until it ‘clicks’ and then its all downhill from there…plus its wonderful brain exercise. Tovin is a dog that can play fetch all. day. but flyball class wears him out because of all the thinking he’s forced to do…I love it. 2 hours of class and then an afternoon of peace in my home Now I’m on the hunt for a cheap flyball box (thats an oxymoron) so tell him the sooner he can snatch a used one up or if he’s handy enough to build one, the better there as well.