Fun and Games for Flyball Readiness
Flyball competition can be fierce! photo: Dawn Kovell
Flyball is a fast-paced relay sport where teams of dogs race against each other, leaping hurdles and triggering a box to release a tennis ball, then returning the ball to their handler for the next dog to start.
If you’ve ever been lucky enough to witness a flyball tournament—or even a flyball class or practice—one of your first thoughts was probably, “Those dogs look like they’re having so much fun!” And it’s true. Flyball dogs love to play flyball.
In fact, flyball pros use several different games as part of the training to help crank up the fun and increase their dogs’ enthusiasm for the game. Some of these games can be played at home—no special equipment needed. So whether you’re interested in pursuing flyball competition or just want to play with your dog, here’s a fun game to give you a taste of the action.
Getting Started
One of the best games for simulating the action of flyball is the dead ball retrieve. You can also use a toy or treat in place of the ball, though obviously, if you’re interested in playing flyball, your dog will eventually need to retrieve an actual ball. But if you’re just playing for fun, anything goes.
This game only requires one human, but you’ll need a reward that your dog really likes. For flyball, many people use a two- to three-foot long tug toy for this purpose. A tug is a great reward for flyball for several reasons. You can drag it on the ground for your dog to chase. Playing a game of tug provides a longer-lasting reward than a treat. And while tugging, your dog is connected to you and won’t wander off chasing nearby balls or visiting other dogs.
Some dogs just don’t like to play tug though, so many people do use treats. If you do, just be mindful of your pup’s calorie intake. If you can use part of their daily meal as the reward, that’s a great way to be sure you’re not inadvertently overfeeding your dog. Some dogs also enjoy veggies such as green beans or carrots–they’re low in calories and also help your dog feel full.
If you’re not interested in actual flyball competition, you can also just throw a ball as your dog’s reward for the recall. But if you’re interested in progressing to competition, you’ll ultimately need to find a different reward because it is against the rules to throw balls at the end of a run. This is a safety issue as there will be seven other dogs and handlers in the ring with you and extra balls flying around would inevitably lead to collisions.
How to Teach Dead Ball Retrieve
To teach the dead ball (or toy) retrieve, first restrain your dog. Then toss the retrieve object a few feet away from you, making sure your dog sees it. Then wait for the object to stop moving or become “dead.” This step is optional, though it’s a good idea to practice it if you’re interested in competing in flyball, as the ball in the flyball box will not be moving while the dog runs toward it.
Next, rev your dog up and then release her to get the retrieve object. As soon as she has the retrieve object, call her name, turn, and start moving away from her as quickly as possible. Once the dog catches you, play tug with your dog or use the reward of your choice. If you’re using food as a reward, move your hand around near the ground for the dog to chase before she “wins” the food (wear gloves if she’s a piranha).
In an ideal world, your dog will carry the retrieve object until she catches up with you (unless it’s food, obviously), and then drop it to take the reward you’re offering. In the real world, your dog may not want to give up the retrieve object or may abandon the retrieve object in favor of chasing you and the reward. You may have to fiddle around with the relative value of the two objects to get the ideal behavior.
For example, if your dog adores tennis balls and won’t give up his ball for a tug toy, you can try to increase the value of the tug by using a tug with a tennis ball on it. Alternatively, you can try throwing a rubber ball instead of a tennis ball, which the dog may not like as much. Or try both. If you’re just playing for fun, you obviously have more flexibility in selecting retrieve objects and rewards to achieve success.
Of course, if you’re interested in progressing to actual flyball competition, it is important that your dog learns to bring the ball back to you so your team doesn’t get a fault. Your flyball instructor will have various suggestions for “bring it” and “exchange” training, which can be customized to help you and your furry friend be successful and join in the flyball fun.
If you and your pup enjoy the dead ball retrieve game and want to take your training to the next level, here’s a handy list of Bay Area classes and clubs. And don’t forget to have fun!