What is Flyball? And Why We Love It!
Flyball is an exciting, fast-paced four dog team relay sport you can play with your best friend and family.
Any dog is eligible to play flyball, no pedigree papers required for this game. Dogs of all breeds or multiple breeds are welcome. Flyball is about having fun with your pet and running the best you possibly can with other people who love their dogs too.
The logistics of the game includes:
* Two teams of four dogs each (2 substitutes allowed) who race against each other on a course consisting of 2 lanes 51 feet in length.
* Each dog travels down the course jumping 4 hurdles, triggering the flyball box to release a tennis ball, and bringing the ball back over the hurdles to their handler.
* Each dog is released in relay fashion to run the course but can’t cross the start/finish line until the previous dog has successfully completed the course.
* The first team to have all 4 dogs finish the course without making a mistake wins the heat.
The fun of the game includes:
🐾 Spending time with your dog
🐾 Competing as a team
🐾 Traveling to varied tournament locations
🐾 Being able to bring your family along
🐾Socializing with other people who love their dogs as much as you do
Of course, there is much more to this sport, but if you love having fun with your dog, enjoy the company of other people, and want a family oriented sport, then flyball may just be the sport for you.
Rules and Setup
Hurdle Height: The height of the jumps is set by the shortest dog on the team. This keeps the sport fair and safe for smaller breeds.
Errors: If a dog drops the ball or misses a jump, that dog must run again after the other team members finish.
Participants: Any dog breed, including mixed breeds, can play flyball with proper training and dogs of any age.
Common Misconception About Flyball
Dogs do NOT need to already know how to return a ball before starting Flyball!
That’s exactly what we teach in our Flyball Foundations classes—building the skills, confidence, focus, and teamwork needed to become a successful Flyball dog.
One important distinction: a dog that is obsessive about tennis balls isn’t necessarily a great fit for Flyball. Extreme ball fixation can lead to unsafe behaviors, poor focus, and difficulty working appropriately around other dogs and handlers.
Flyball is about teamwork, control, and fun—not just chasing a ball!
Furry FUNd$ Flyball Team 