Wonthaggi's flyball team. Photo: Penny Lloyd By Catherine Watson
THE competitors are show-offs – loud, exuberant, fast, funny, excited – and that’s just the dogs. You can see why the fans call flyball “drag racing for dogs”.
The humans alternate between anxiety and intense pride but at the end of every race – win, lose or disqualification – there’s a joyful reunion between dog and human.
As in drag racing, disaster is only ever a second’s inattention away, but here it involves a dog returning without the ball or veering off course as their teammate charges toward them at the changeover line.
The flyball was the hit of last weekend’s Bass Coast Agricultural Show, as it is every year. People stop for a quick look and two hours later glance at their watches and realise they’re late for a very important appointment. It’s the joy of the dogs that’s so entrancing. From the swiftest, sleekest border collies to the little old terriers who treat the hurdles like high jumps, all are focused on the game, and it’s the best game in the world.
In essence flyball is a relay race between two teams of four dogs that go over a course with four hurdles. At the end of the track they hit a box at full pelt, which releases a ball that they have to catch and carry back over the starting line. They do flying passes at the start line, which leaves plenty of room for error if a distracted dog turns to chase his teammate instead of racing up the track.
Wonthaggi trainer Dee Basile, who has a Jack Russell and a collie, says it’s a great family sport, a good day out and everyone goes home tired, even though the dogs have done all the running.
“It’s the best sport I’ve ever been involved in. It’s very fair. Any breed can do it. As long as you’ve got the patience you can train them. I love it. It’s social. Afterwards everyone gets together for a barbecue or whatever.”
The flyball was the hit of last weekend’s Bass Coast Agricultural Show, as it is every year. People stop for a quick look and two hours later glance at their watches and realise they’re late for a very important appointment. It’s the joy of the dogs that’s so entrancing. From the swiftest, sleekest border collies to the little old terriers who treat the hurdles like high jumps, all are focused on the game, and it’s the best game in the world.
In essence flyball is a relay race between two teams of four dogs that go over a course with four hurdles. At the end of the track they hit a box at full pelt, which releases a ball that they have to catch and carry back over the starting line. They do flying passes at the start line, which leaves plenty of room for error if a distracted dog turns to chase his teammate instead of racing up the track.
Wonthaggi trainer Dee Basile, who has a Jack Russell and a collie, says it’s a great family sport, a good day out and everyone goes home tired, even though the dogs have done all the running.
“It’s the best sport I’ve ever been involved in. It’s very fair. Any breed can do it. As long as you’ve got the patience you can train them. I love it. It’s social. Afterwards everyone gets together for a barbecue or whatever.”
Once the dog is focused on the ball (you’ll have to join the group to discover the secret formula), the next step is to get them going over jumps, and finally to get them to jump on the box at the end of the track that releases the ball.
Penny Lloyd, who shares the training with Dee, says flyball also helps to socialise dogs and correct behavioural problems. She was dragged into the sport by a recalcitrant and uncontrollable kelpie-border collie cross that was driving everyone mad.
“He was out of control. Flyball got rid of his excessive energy. He ended up being one of the best dogs I’ve ever had.
“The border dogs love to be worked. Dee’s social methods are so good. If the ball goes out on an angle, the dog will go and get the ball and run back over the hurdles. It gets them thinking. They can’t wait to go into the ring – they love it so much.”
The Wonthaggi flyball club meets at Strickland Street, Wonthaggi, on Sunday mornings from February to December. Registration day is February 3. Club membership is $65 and initial membership of the Australian Flyball Association is $25 plus $20 per dog. Inquiries: Joanne Jordan on 5657 4363.
As in drag racing, disaster is only ever a second’s inattention away, but here it involves a dog returning without the ball or veering off course as their teammate charges toward them at the changeover line.
The flyball was the hit of last weekend’s Bass Coast Agricultural Show, as it is every year. People stop for a quick look and two hours later glance at their watches and realise they’re late for a very important appointment. It’s the joy of the dogs that’s so entrancing. From the swiftest, sleekest border collies to the little old terriers who treat the hurdles like high jumps, all are focused on the game, and it’s the best game in the world.
In essence flyball is a relay race between two teams of four dogs that go over a course with four hurdles. At the end of the track they hit a box at full pelt, which releases a ball that they have to catch and carry back over the starting line. They do flying passes at the start line, which leaves plenty of room for error if a distracted dog turns to chase his teammate instead of racing up the track.
Wonthaggi trainer Dee Basile, who has a Jack Russell and a collie, says it’s a great family sport, a good day out and everyone goes home tired, even though the dogs have done all the running.
“It’s the best sport I’ve ever been involved in. It’s very fair. Any breed can do it. As long as you’ve got the patience you can train them. I love it. It’s social. Afterwards everyone gets together for a barbecue or whatever.”
The flyball was the hit of last weekend’s Bass Coast Agricultural Show, as it is every year. People stop for a quick look and two hours later glance at their watches and realise they’re late for a very important appointment. It’s the joy of the dogs that’s so entrancing. From the swiftest, sleekest border collies to the little old terriers who treat the hurdles like high jumps, all are focused on the game, and it’s the best game in the world.
In essence flyball is a relay race between two teams of four dogs that go over a course with four hurdles. At the end of the track they hit a box at full pelt, which releases a ball that they have to catch and carry back over the starting line. They do flying passes at the start line, which leaves plenty of room for error if a distracted dog turns to chase his teammate instead of racing up the track.
Wonthaggi trainer Dee Basile, who has a Jack Russell and a collie, says it’s a great family sport, a good day out and everyone goes home tired, even though the dogs have done all the running.
“It’s the best sport I’ve ever been involved in. It’s very fair. Any breed can do it. As long as you’ve got the patience you can train them. I love it. It’s social. Afterwards everyone gets together for a barbecue or whatever.”
Once the dog is focused on the ball (you’ll have to join the group to discover the secret formula), the next step is to get them going over jumps, and finally to get them to jump on the box at the end of the track that releases the ball.
Penny Lloyd, who shares the training with Dee, says flyball also helps to socialise dogs and correct behavioural problems. She was dragged into the sport by a recalcitrant and uncontrollable kelpie-border collie cross that was driving everyone mad.
“He was out of control. Flyball got rid of his excessive energy. He ended up being one of the best dogs I’ve ever had.
“The border dogs love to be worked. Dee’s social methods are so good. If the ball goes out on an angle, the dog will go and get the ball and run back over the hurdles. It gets them thinking. They can’t wait to go into the ring – they love it so much.”
The Wonthaggi flyball club meets at Strickland Street, Wonthaggi, on Sunday mornings from February to December. Registration day is February 3. Club membership is $65 and initial membership of the Australian Flyball Association is $25 plus $20 per dog. Inquiries: Joanne Jordan on 5657 4363.