Ajog through the park or a game of fetch may be enough activity for some, butmany high-energy dogs need an extra challenge to be their happiest, healthiestselves. If your pup loves having a job to do or you need to ramp up theirexercise or training time, flyball can keep your dog active and engaged.

Flyballis a workout for your dog’s brain and body. This team sport is designed to testyour furry friend's speed, accuracy, agility, and intelligence. Seasonedenthusiasts and beginners alike are welcome in flyball. If your athletic poochis up for a challenge, keep reading to learn more about how to get started.

What Is Flyball?

Flyballis an adrenaline-fueled dog sport that involves teams of dogs andtheir handlers competing against each other to complete a relay race. Theobjective is for the dogs on each team to jump over a series of four hurdles,retrieve a tennis ball from a box, and then go back over the hurdles to crossthe finish line. The fastest team wins.

What's the Difference Between Flyball and Agility?

Bothflyball and agility courses require dogs to navigate obstacles in aset amount of time. However, agility is not a team sport, but a singular one.Agility focuses on a dog and their handler working together to navigate andcomplete obstacles on a timed course.

Is Flyball Good for Dogs?

Flyballis a demanding sport; competing in flyball builds muscle, improvescoordination, increases endurance, and gives your dog a sense of teamwork andaccomplishment. Flyball is an excellent form of exercise and is well-suited foractive breeds or dogs who have a lot of energy to burn.

Flyballalso gives dogs the opportunity to socialize with others. It teaches them tofollow cues, remain focused, and make quick decisions. If your dogsolves complicated puzzle toys or thrives during games ofhide-and-seek, the mental stimulation from flyball can preventboredom and keep them happy.

What Dogs Can Play Flyball?

Anydog can play flyball, though the North American FlyballAssociation requires that puppies need to wait until they’re 15 months oldto compete. While all breeds, sizes, and ages of dogs are welcome, some breedsare known for their flyball skills and excel in the sport. Winners typicallyinclude Greyhounds, Whippets, Border Collies, Jack RussellTerriers, Aussies, and Shepherd mixes because of their high energy levels,intelligence, and love for work.

Whilethese breeds may be a natural fit for the sport, this doesn't mean other breedscan’t hold their own. Proper training and practice can help any dog thrivein flyball—especially with a lot of praise and quality time with their favoritehuman!

Talkto your veterinarian before starting any demanding physical activity with yourpup, especially if your dog has any health conditions orinjuries. Training and physical health are key before you considerentering your dog in any flyball competitions. Think of flyball as you would atrack meet for human athletes. You wouldn’t want to run a race without someserious stretching and a training schedule leading up to the event. The samegoes for dogs and flyball—proper preparation and exercise are anecessary part of any canine athlete’s health and well-being.

How Do You Train Your Dog for Flyball?

Trainingfor flyball requires patience, consistency, and dedication. Other dogs andpeople are a big component of the sport, so reactive dogs or those that arenervous in new situations may benefit from working with a dogbehaviorist before participating.

Seasonedcompetitors and training professionals recommend teaching each step of theflyball race one at a time. Add new elements to the training sequence asyour dog gets more comfortable. Getting your dog ready for flyball meansthey’ll need to know:

1.   Basic obedience skills. Yourdog should have a solid foundation in basic obedience skills, such as sit,stay, and recall. These cues are the building blocks for more advanced flyballexercises.

2.   How to jump over hurdles. Graduallyintroduce your dog to flyball hurdles by starting with low heights. Increasethe height and number of hurdles as they get more comfortable.Use positive reinforcement to help build their confidence and keepthem motivated.

3.   Ball retrieve. Teachyour dog to retrieve a tennis ball. You can build your own ball retrievewall unit or spring box like they’d use in competitions. Start by placing theball a short distance away and have your dog stay until you give the cue toretrieve the ball. Gradually increase the distance of the retrieve from thebox. You can also ask a second handler to hold your dog while you remain withthe ball.

Prepare for the relay race. Onceyour dog is comfortable with jumping hurdles and retrieving the ball, startpracticing for the relay race by including other dog and human teammates in thecourse.

Alwaysconsider your dog’s needs above all else. Each dog has its own unique abilitiesand limitations. Adapt your dog’s training program to suit their pace, andremember that pushing them too hard can lead to burnout or injuries.

Does Your Dog Have What It Takes to Tackle Flyball?

Enrollingin a local flyball training class or joining a local flyball club is a greatway to get started. United Flyball League International andthe North American Flyball Association both have regional groups thatoffer expert guidance, a supportive community, and access to trainingequipment.

Ifyou’re not quite ready for a team experience, you can also start by practicingindividual steps at home until you feel ready to join a flyball club ortraining class. YouTube videos can help you learn the basics.

Asyou and your dog learn any new skill, the most important part is to have fun,be patient, and stay consistent. Flyball is meant to be a fun and engagingactivity for you and your dog, so enjoy the process, celebrate small victories,and be patient with your dog as they learn. At the end of the day, your dogwill be excited to just hang out with you and have some fun.