Four Counties Flyballers

Flyball Starter Course

The aim of the course is to provide an introduction to Flyball for dogs and owners who have had no previous experience of the sport. The course is designed for the average family dog and their owners. By the end of the course your dog should have the basic training to become a reliable flyball dog. The training methods used are those of reinforcement. We believe in rewarding the desired behavior through praise, treats and play, thereby increasing the likelihood that the wanted behaviour will be repeated.

Your dog will be introduced to the Flyball box, hurdles and training netting and, most importantly, other dogs.  We take you through the basics of how, when, what and why.  In a controlled environment we get you to encourage your dog to jump over the hurdles, trigger the box so as to release a tennis ball, and return that ball to you.  Dogs will progress to running the course one after the other in quicker succession.  Lane netting will eventually be removed and training centred on achieving reliability - with the dog jumping all of the hurdles both to and from the box and carrying the ball back over the finish line.  By now you will have a grasp of the basic rules of the sport and you and your dog should be ready, should you so wish, to take part in Starter Competitions with the help and guidance of more experienced Four Counties Flyballers.

Assuming you and your dog wish to continue with flyball after the course, you have a choice.  You can attend our weekly training sessions and just have fun with your dog or you can join the British Flyball Association and take part in Flyball competitions with others in the team.  A word of warning though - this sport is seriously addictive!

Flyball Intermediate Course

The aim of the course is to build upon the skills developed by dogs and handlers that have previously been on a Flyball Starter Course. By the end of the course you and your dog will have had the experience of running as part of a team and, should you wish, be ready to enter full blown competitions with confidence.  The training methods used are those of reinforcement. We believe in rewarding the desired behavior through praise, treats and play, thereby increasing the likelihood that the wanted behaviour will be repeated.

Your dog will receive training on the flyball box to increase speed of turn and his/her performance on each element of the course run analysed.  Any necessary corrective or enhancing training will be put in place with emphasis on speed and reliability.  Exercises will take place to improve your dog’s stamina and to promote his/her enthusiasm for the ‘game’. You will be coached in the ‘paperwork’, rules and tactics of the sport and have extensive practice in dog release so as to achieve optimum starts and crossovers.  Both you and your dog will run with experienced handlers and their dogs and learn from them the team skills necessary for success in competition.  It is hoped that graduates of this course will form a team of their own under the umbrella of Four Counties Flyballers.

Note: The cost of the course is £30 for six one hour lessons.

Whilst enrolling please leave your dog in the car or outside with a handler.

Please bring your dog’s vaccination card with you.