U-FLI’s tag line is “The Ultimate Dogsport for Family and Fun,” but what is it like to play the game when you have children along. It takes a great amount of organizing to get your self, the dogs, and the equipment to a tournament, add little kids and all their stuff and well, Whew! So how do these moms and dads do it?… why do they do it?Here are the thoughts and opinions of some from around the country, but first let me introduce them:
- Jackie: Mother of two boys of early elementary school age. They’ve been playing flyball since before the boys were born.
- Pam: Mother of three teen girls. Been playing flyball since her girls were early elementary school age.
- Bev: Mother of two boys. One teen, one middle school. Been playing flyball since they were elementary school age. Bev’s boys have earned the highest title possible in the U-FLI Junior Handler program.
- Trish: Mother of a one-year old. Been playing flyball since right before becoming pregnant.
- Me: Mother of two girls. One teen, one middle school. Been playing flyball since girls were early elementary school age.
What got you involved in flyball?
Jackie and Bev were involved in other animal sports, Jackie in horse showing, Bev in dog obedience. Jackie came to flyball with her dog that ran the cross country course with her. Bev was looking for an activity the dogs could do while she was show chair and unable to compete. The rest of us came to the sport as many do… looking for an outlet and focus for our high-energy dog.
What made it stick?
It was fun for the whole family. It was a sport that everyone in the family could do and could do together. The team component of the game… fun people, supportive people.
What life lessons do you think your kids have drawn out of the flyball experience (or are drawing)?
Jackie: Playing well with others, learning to take care of their pets, learning how to train. My boys are very compassionate, and I think it has a lot to do with all the rescue work we do as a family.
Bev: Flyball only rounds out the balance I feel. Its part of the big picture so to speak. They learn that life doesn’t always hand you a win. That was hardest for my oldest to learn, he is always on the All Star Team for whatever sports he plays. He has learned that our dogs are athletes, just as he is, and their mind and bodies need to be taken care of if he expects the best out of them. He has learned that conditioning is part of the big picture in flyball and includes that portion of caring for the dogs in his daily routine.
Trish: Right now, Max is learning to trust adults, other than just his parents. He will willingly go to any adult on our team if Mom and Dad are busy. As he gets older, I think he’ll also pick up the proper respect and treatment of animals, as well as what it means to participate in a team sport.
Pam: Definitely being a team player. There was a job for everyone from pottying dogs to ball shagging. Making them responsible individuals as a team player. Knowing how to run their dog beside teammates and taking practice seriously. Taking instructions from others beside their parents.
Me: Group dynamics and how adults interact. They will be so much better prepared for life in the “grown up world of work” from their exposure to all the different personalities they have observed over the years being involved in flyball. They have also learned about the responsibility of caring for animals as well as following through on commitments you make to others to do what you say you will do and be where you say you will be.
Do you think it’s shaped them in some way? How?
Jackie: Absolutely. They are great travelers – a 9 hour car ride is nothing to them! They can get up at 5 am, and go all day. They learn to respect the adults at tournaments, and follow directions. They also help me out a lot when we have to go without daddy – due to his work schedule.
Bev: Yes. Trevor has learned that in order to play with the big boys (so to speak, since it is mostly dominated by adults) that he can’t sit his pup butt on the porch and whine about the `what if`s`. He has learned that he has to go out and give it his all.
By playing this sport it has molded him into the young man that he is. It has allowed him to meet others not as athletic as he is and to see them as equals on the playing field while at the same time, showing him that he is not always an equal to those he is running against.
Pam: It has built up their confidence.
Trish: I think Max is definitely more outgoing for his age because of the exposure he’s had to everyone. He’s also a little more daring, willing to pet dogs other than his own.
What makes a tournament fun for your child?
For the younger children it’s connecting with their “flyball friends”. Children from other teams they only get to see at flyball tournaments. They also enjoy that the grown ups give them jobs that give them a chance to contribute to the team. Some really enjoy the freedom to get really dirty and covered in dog hair and mom doesn’t get on their case.
As the kids get older, it’s running a dog and hanging out with their “flyball friends”. The older kids love being treated as an equal in the ring. The rules don’t change from adult to kid. They are expected to play with as much skill as the adults do and love that the adults give them their trust and the responsibility.
How do you organize it all… stuff for the tournament, stuff for the dogs, and stuff for the kids?
Everyone’s response was along the lines of “A really Big Vehicle”. Seriously, though, they make lists, they keep to a routine, they make the kids responsible for a portion of the packing, and they keep some things packed all the time so it’s just grab and go.
Advice for others taking up flyball with kids in tow.
- Less is sometimes more… A few toys for down time, but letting them run and play is the best.
- Books on tape or a portable DVD player for the long car ride.
- A Pack N Play for the really little ones.
- Make it fun and keep things light.
- Enjoy the time you are getting to spend together; it is so precious in our busy world.
- Do it… it will be the best family fun and you will be making memories that you all will keep for a lifetime.
Connie
Note: “The Ultimate Dogsport for Family and Fun” is a registered trademark of United Flyball League International (U-FLI)
