Early Training - Beginning Skills
Teaching the Puppy a Fast Recall - Probably the most important skill for competitive flyball performance. Speed needs to be encouraged from the start.
Determining Direction of Turn - This will be used when the dog is worked on the shoot as well as the box. Most dogs, like most people, are right-handed, and will turn right on the box. This requires the boxloader to place the ball to the dog's right so that it can turn in the proper direction, using the box as a base for the turn as it grabs the tennis ball.
Intermediate Training - Introduction to the Shoot
The shoot is shaped like the flyball box, but it does not have the triggering mechanism and can be adjusted to several heights. This allows the dog to learn how to turn on the box and gradually develop skills in turning and grabbing the ball. Because there is no triggering mechanism, the chute is silent and allows the dog to concentrate and turning and grabbing without having the distraction of the load noise made by the flyball box when the ball firing mechanism is triggered.
Advanced Training
Boxwork - Once competent on the shoot, the dog is introduced to the flyball box, whose entire front serves as trigger for releasing the ball. It may take several weeks to several months for the shoot-competent dog to become competent in triggering the box, turning and grabbing the ball. You'll also notice the loudness of the ball firing mechanism when the dog hits the front of the box.
Passing - Each dog must be competent in passing into another teammate from a distance if a team is to run efficiently. Prior to running in a tournament, the dog must also be focused enough for it to remain in its lane when running a few feet away from the dogs on the opposing team.
Tournament