Crufts 2019, Flyball..

[Blazingsaddles]

I just don’t get it. Agility - understood, obedience - understood, even the god awful dog dancing, but a dog with ocd over a tennis ball? It just doesn’t make any sense to me. Please enlighten me as I just don’t see the point of it.

 

[blackcob]

*whispers* Neither do I, and I also cannot abide dancing/HTM. I am going to hide from the flyballers now.

 

[Blazingsaddles]

*whispers* Neither do I, and I also cannot abide dancing/HTM. I am going to hide from the flyballers now.

Tin hat is on its way......😀

 

[MurphysMinder]

My daughter did flyball with our Lancashire heeler and he loved it. Personally the noise ( dogs and handlers ) did my head in but it does seem to be a great team sport . He now does agility with me not exactly quiet at competitions but better than flyball!

 

[Sandstone1]

I was just thinking that the strain on the dogs joints cant be good.

 

[Blazingsaddles]

I was just thinking that the strain on the dogs joints cant be good.

Yes, they must get repetitive strain injuries.

 

[AmyMay]

I love watching fly ball. So, so exciting.

 

[MurphysMinder]

I was just thinking that the strain on the dogs joints cant be good.

I don't think there is a particularly high rate of injury. The jumps are very low, more a stride for many dogs, and the turn is trained carefully . The tops of the jumps are padded too.

 

[Sandstone1]

I don't think there is a particularly high rate of injury. The jumps are very low, more a stride for many dogs, and the turn is trained carefully . The tops of the jumps are padded too.

Its very repetitive though.

 

[MurphysMinder]

Its very repetitive though.

Yes but in very short bursts, the average dogs run speed is around 5 seconds I think. From my very limited knowledge the flyball people are very protective of their dogs, ground conditions and weather are always taken into account.

 

[Kaylum]

They can get shoulder injuries mainly from fast turning. That's why they are trained to do swim turns on both sides.

 

[Sandstone1]

Yes but in very short bursts, the average dogs run speed is around 5 seconds I think. From my very limited knowledge the flyball people are very protective of their dogs, ground conditions and weather are always taken into account.

True. Not my cup of tea. I find if incredibly dull to watch. E each to their own!

 

[rara007]

It’s very social, the dogs love it and there’s a huge amount that goes into the maintenance of the dogs as athletes with regards to feeding, weight management, physios etc. Not my thing (mainly due to lack of time!) but you won’t see any fat flyball dogs. There’s far too many dogs not even getting daily walks let alone a ‘job’!

 

[CorvusCorax]

I think whether we like it or want to admit it or not, any dog sport involves the potential for mental and physical stress. Same with horse sports TBH. And indeed people sports.
I'd hate to see the day when dogs are only fit to lie on a sofa and toddle around the block. Flyball isn't my thing but we could pick holes in most animal disciplines.

 

[Clodagh]

Its not my thing, but I am delighted that there are now so many options available to allow working dogs to do things. My lab would love it, she isn't allowed balls and is completely obsessed if she dies get one. Her sister does it quite successfully. My niece, who competes the sister, says she will stop at 7 as she is worried about joint damage.
It is the shrieking that does my head in, but even sensitive dogs like collies look mad for it.

 

[BBP]

I can’t bare the noise of it, but the dogs do seem to enjoy it, and it seems a decent alternative if as a handler you aren’t able to run, twist and turn with your dog in agility (not saying that’s the only reason people would pick flyball over agility, but it’s a benefit maybe?)

 

[MotherOfChickens]

rather flyball than heel work to music which frankly makes me nauseus and completely creeps me out. tbh I'd rather see dogs canicrossing, bikejoring, field trialling or following a scent than any of the other things but then we are all different

 

[MyBoyChe]

Its just too noisy for me, all the dogs seem to be having a great time and the barking seems to add to their fun...I would be trying to find a quiet, dark corner to hide in

 

[MotherOfChickens]

Its just too noisy for me, all the dogs seem to be having a great time and the barking seems to add to their fun...I would be trying to find a quiet, dark corner to hide in

husky racing is damned noisy too at the start

 

[Karran]

I think it would be more interesting coverage wise if they showed the times of the dogs and the lights/faults. They could do more to explain it without it being overkill.
I obviously love it, but tbh I only get excited about crufts flyball if I see a team I know and compete against doing it. I can't get as excited without seeing the ins and outs of it.

It's the start of Mrs Spaniel's 4th outdoor season and I've only ever seen two bad accidents and (only going by my own team as I know dog histories) very few injuries through strains etc, in fact only one off the top of my head and he's a nutcase anyway!!

Heelwork to music is my big turnoff!! I just think it's dull!! 😂

 

[Karran]

I think it would be more interesting coverage wise if they showed the times of the dogs and the lights/faults. They could do more to explain it without it being overkill.
I obviously love it, but tbh I only get excited about crufts flyball if I see a team I know and compete against doing it. I can't get as excited without seeing the ins and outs of it.

It's the start of Mrs Spaniel's 4th outdoor season and I've only ever seen two bad accidents and (only going by my own team as I know dog histories) very few injuries through strains etc, in fact only one off the top of my head and he's a nutcase anyway!!

Heelwork to music is my big turnoff!! I just think it's dull!! 😂

 

[Annette4]

I love it, but it has taught my dogs to bark 🙄 As with anything (I can’t abide dressage or heelwork for example) you either like it or don’t but I think it’s more interesting for those involved if that makes sense?

 

[TheresaW]

We took Bo to the vets last weekend for a check up etc. As he’s no longer a working dog, the vet suggested something like Flyball to do with him. Seeing this post has put me off a little as I don’t cope very well with noise.

MoC, I have added you on fb, I hope you don’t mind. Clodagh told me who you are, and would like to pick your brains and get help/advice.

 

[Karran]

Indoor is obviously a lot worse than outdoor Theresa, maybe pop along and have a look first? I'm pretty used to it now, but first indoor was in a school gym. Bloody hell the noise there was terrible!!!!

 

[TheresaW]

Indoor is obviously a lot worse than outdoor Theresa, maybe pop along and have a look first? I'm pretty used to it now, but first indoor was in a school gym. Bloody hell the noise there was terrible!!!!

Thank you. Will have a look and see what is local. We are in Notts if anyone can point me in the right direction.

 

[PapaverFollis]

Did anyone see the team of whippets and lurchers? Wow. Fast.

I think Sprollie would love flyball but as he's a danger to himself and others on a normal, everyday walk I don't think.it would be a good idea. Lol. He would definitely find an imaginative way to injure himself.

 

[MurphysMinder]

Indoor is obviously a lot worse than outdoor Theresa, maybe pop along and have a look first? I'm pretty used to it now, but first indoor was in a school gym. Bloody hell the noise there was terrible!!!!

The first flyball I went to watch was in a sports hall. I arrived with a headache and was nearly crying when I left a couple of hours later . Turns out I was starting flu but it’s not an experience I would want to repeat . 😳

 

[Annette4]

Thank you. Will have a look and see what is local. We are in Notts if anyone can point me in the right direction.

If you pop your postcode in here https://www.flyball.org.uk/getting-started/find-a-club it will show you all the clubs nearby 😊

 

[ester]

Did anyone see the team of whippets and lurchers? Wow. Fast.

I think Sprollie would love flyball but as he's a danger to himself and others on a normal, everyday walk I don't think.it would be a good idea. Lol. He would definitely find an imaginative way to injure himself.

seen it on fb this morning, they were pretty epic!

 

[Karran]

We regularly race against the aces (whippet) team during indoor season. They are scary fast but often inconsistent, I think some Times they go too fast and fumble the ball out of the box and spit it on way out.
Will be rooting for them in finals and Commandos as well, a lovely friendly team