It was a cool windy October 4th day for our second annual Bearded Collie Demo. It took place at the Antique Gas and Steam Museum in Vista, Ca. which offers plenty of room. Most of the Ballistic Racers Flyball Team attended the event which was fun for everyone, especially the dogs. As soon as the Ballistic Racers did the demo, it was time for the Beardies. The Bearded Collie Bunch really got into the action as they tried running their dogs on the Flyball course. Some Beardies did well, while others found the course quite a challenge.

Thanks to the Beardie Bunch for providing such a delicious lunch. There were so many types of food to choose from that we had to try them all. It was another one of our “Great Fun Flyball Days” with the Ballistic Racers Flyball Team. Many thanks to our late flyball team member, Lori Fournier, who made this all possible. Lori and her dog Harlow loved flyball and wanted to share it with all the Beardie Bunch.

Thanks to Lori, the fun lives on!
Brian Matsumoto

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Everyone learned something at the Saturday Seminar in October!

Molly at the seminar.

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by Brian Matsumoto, Team Captain

In flyball your dog will receive great exercise and mental stimulation, and have more fun than ever before. He doesn’t know the difference between practice and a tournament, other than tournaments have unfamiliar dogs and his master is very excited. Your dog is having fun just running the course and pleasing you, not necessarily noticing that he is even racing against another team and another dog.

One of the best things about flyball is that your dog is expected to run a course and do it correctly. This is not disorganized free uncontrolled running in the park. Yes, free time is important, but having your dog do a job is important as well. Giving your dog a job allows him to sleep well, improve his behavior skills, control his behavior at home, and enjoy his free time even more. Flyball not only teaches your dog good behavior, but it teaches the handlers as well. Like animals, people learn by experience. Flyball is a well-organized dog sport with rules, judges, standards, and penalties. People are expected to behave and are reprimanded for outbursts or uncontrolled behavior, just like the dogs. It is true that flyball will consume some of your time, but it is quality time with your best friend, your pooch.

You and your puppy will meet new human and dog friends while practicing and competing. One of the best benefits of flyball is the network of information suddenly available to you. Handlers will have numerous veterinarians and ratings at their fingertips. Specialized care, other dog sports, obedience, supplies, dog beaches, and places that are dog friendly are all topics which are commonly shared with team members. Flyball teaches handlers to work with other team members and captains, and as a team. There is no other dog sport which involves teams. A great thing about a team sport such as flyball is that there is always someone nearby to help you. This is extremely helpful when you first get started. Veteran handlers and even other team members will coach you as you race your dog. They will help you and your dog become faster, safer, and more effective.

Flyball opens up a whole new world for beginning handlers. Record-breaking flyball teams have extremely intense dogs which are a real “eye opener” when you first see and hear them. Of course they will be matched with competitive teams, but you will see them at the same tournament using the same course. Some “out of town” teams attend tournaments in large motor homes, 5th wheel trailers, and have other expensive toys. Still there are others who live, eat, and dream about flyball. A single handler may race 3 or 4 different dogs. No matter what you take up, there are always extreme competitors who go all out.

Fortunately our team, Ballistic Racers, is a “middle of the road” team. We have no great aspirations of having huge motor homes, setting world records, or doing anything except playing flyball. We are happy competing mainly around Southern California, pulling a trailer for our equipment, and constantly improving our techniques and times. We are content having a competitive team, having everyone get along, and enjoying racing with our dogs.

By Brian and Joanne Matsumoto

Touch N Go from Las Vegas, the world’s fastest flyball team, came to share their expertise with our team, Ballistic Racers. It was an all day affair at Skydance Ranch in Oceanside, California, on a Saturday which was warmer than usual. With their three trainers and one helper, Touch N Go dealt with many issues. Several landmark accomplishments were met as our dogs made vast improvements. Katy, Nadine, and Stephanie, used their expert techniques to individualize instruction, helping each dog to be the best it could be.

For instance, Dennis, Kelly’s rescued vizsla, was able to make a beautiful four footed turn high on the box. We had never seen Dennis get up so high on the box and make such a well rounded turn. We were all astonished as Dennis showed us what he is really capable of doing.

Indie, Linda’s Beagle-Dachshund mix, was able to get high on the box as well. He made a perfect four footed turn and ran back for a perfect run. Previously Indie would only hit the box with his two front paws, and his rear feet would never leave the ground. We had never seen or even envisioned Indie jumping over a prop until this seminar.

Vegas, Joanne’s split faced Border Collie, has been making an early leap to the box. Stephanie and Nadine were able to alleviate this problem by adjusting the prop. With just a slight change, Vegas was able to make a perfect run, eliminating her early leap to the box.

The list of accomplishments on a single Saturday Seminar was just amazing! New dogs such as Jett and Nico were able to make great improvements on their recalls. Jessie, Bailey, Remy, and Molly all made adjustments in order to shave off seconds of their times. The new Molly was able to improve her turn by changing the box slightly, and made many perfect runs. Some new problems which were never noticed before were addressed and fixed. Chloe and Ashley received information on how to fix crossing over problems, as Chloe showed off her fantastic turn.

Each one of us learned that practice is practice, and our dogs must be leashed, crated, or put in an x pen. Free play, off leash running, and ball throwing should be done at another location or at another time since dogs cannot distinguish the difference between work and play.

It was a great September Saturday for all of us as we learned, received hands-on instruction, and were given constructive tips from the world’s best flyball team, Touch N Go. We asked various questions which Katy and her team then addressed. We received information that we could have learned nowhere else in the world. Now, it’s up to us to put all this good information to use, and make our dogs the best flyball dogs they can be!