Training

[k9mania]

Recently at flyball practice, I was reminded of a problem I see that many times exist with novices to a particular competitive activity. Getting so into training techniques for that sport that they forget that all dogs spend more of their time out of their sport, than in. Consequently, you should always train for outside of sport with the sport training an added component. It is very sad to see a dog that can navigate the flyball or agility course and does not have a good recall, sit, or down when not competing. Those are skills all dogs needs for their own good in lots of everyday situations. If the training is done properly with teaching the sport skills, the dog will have better behavior outside of the sport setting. When selecting a trainer or team, always try and assess if their philosophy of what is important is similar to your long term goals for you and your dog.

[FlyDogz]

Recently at flyball practice, I was reminded of a problem I see that many times exist with novices to a particular competitive activity. Getting so into training techniques for that sport that they forget that all dogs spend more of their time out of their sport, than in. Consequently, you should always train for outside of sport with the sport training an added component. It is very sad to see a dog that can navigate the flyball or agility course and does not have a good recall, sit, or down when not competing. Those are skills all dogs needs for their own good in lots of everyday situations. If the training is done properly with teaching the sport skills, the dog will have better behavior outside of the sport setting. When selecting a trainer or team, always try and assess if their philosophy of what is important is similar to your long term goals for you and your dog.

I so agree with you!!!

Our dogs always play ball together after a flyball training session. We've had team walks when it's been to wet to train and all the dogs get on well.

I always have an assessment and if the dogs don't recall or look a bit "iffy" I will recommend that they attend obedience classes and return when the dog is a bit better behaved!!

[k9mania]

How long on average do you take to train a flyball dog? I see so many teams in a hurry to race the dog and then they never learn a swimmer's turn because they rush. I always hate the pounding a dog takes when it goes straight onto the box.

[FlyDogz]

How long on average do you take to train a flyball dog? I see so many teams in a hurry to race the dog and then they never learn a swimmer's turn because they rush. I always hate the pounding a dog takes when it goes straight onto the box.

Apologies for not answering sooner :S

This is another of my "bug-bears". At a recent starters competition here in the UK a team put in 3 dogs who had only been training for 3 weeks!!!! Needless to say, none of the dogs did it, and one jumped the netting and tried to chase the other teams dogs!!!

Really teaching good behaviour. This from a team who has been around for quite a while and should know better!!!!

I take several months to teach a dog. First they learn the box and recalls. Then they start putting it together - without the ball.

You wouldnt rush to teach an agility dog, so why rush a flyball dog?????

[Jaz_i]

I also think that it is bad.

I alternate between agility training Monday and Wednesday, Basic commands (sit, stay etc) Tuesday and thursday, Friday, Saturday and sunday's are nice long off-leash walks in the park. And a agility comp sometimes!

It is also important that training sessions are keep short. Eg. My agility sessions are only 30 mins.

And my basic commands are two lots of 15mins with a 15 min sniff and smell walk in between!