FLYBALL

This is Flyball. It is a dog relay team. Four dogs, each takes a turn running over four hurdles, jumping on a springboard which releases a ball into the air. They catch the ball and turn and run back over the hurdles. Then the next dog goes. The team with the fastest time wins. We practice every week, and there are several meets each year for competition. But the rewards are not in ribbons or trophies, but in the pleasure of seeing your dog have such a good time.This is our English Springer Spaniel, BINZEN. He loves flyball. He has only been doing it for a few months, but has really caught on. When we say "time for Flyball" He gets all excited. Those big floppy ears of his almost turn into wings when he leaps the hurdles.

New Members, like this lovely Boarder Collie, need to take the jumps one at a time, with lots of love and encouragement from their families. Usually the handlers get as much of a work out as the dogs, as they have to run along side thier dog until it is trained, like this fellow with his Manchester Terrier. One of our trainers sits on the flyball springboard box and gets the dogs reved up to practice the jumps. She teaches them to perk up as she loudly growls "RRRRRRREEAADDDDDDDYYYYYYYYY". Then she nudges the dog off and away he runs over the jumps.

This old boy, is the lead dog. Does he look as though he is smiling? I think so.
It is a wonderful activity and social time for the dogs and handlers alike. It puts a smile on my face to see these pups have such fun every week. As long as Binzen continues to get so much enjoyment from it, we will keep going.