Then, we hold bi-monthly team practices on the weekends. We begin inviting new dogs out to practice when they are able to complete all the basic skills and the handlers show the interest to compete and the commitment needed to be a team member. It also gives us the time to determine if we are right for each other.

As for too many green dogs, our club has recently been formed after a number of us left the old team and we have, currently, 2/3 green dogs on our team. We stuggle to make strong lineups, but manage. It helps that all of us share the same philosophy on training and competing. We give up points now, but know that with proper preparation and training, we’ll be strong later.

Keeping the mood light and fun.

Being open to different training techniques and ideas in general.

Making everyone feel like an equal member of the team.

Organization. Flyball always looks like chaos to some extent, but there should be some method to the madness.

Communication. Poeple don’t know what to do if you don’t tell them what needs to be done.

Honnesty. Be upfront about costs, time commitment, etc.

I am currently training a couple newbies during our club practice time. I only have 1 or 2 people helping me since most of the team has different training techniques than I have on box training, etc…

I enjoy training so I actually have folks come to my house and do boxwork. Sometimes they come once and say it is not for them, sometimes they really want to continue and some come out a few times to my house and either say yes or no on continuing.

This kind of takes all the distractions out of working with the dog and gives the people one on one attention.

I do like the idea of being an associate member and we do sort of have that at times. With some folks, we have them pay $5 per practice they attend but once they come more often we will have them pay our monthly dues instead. They all know about the dues but at first I want it to be affordable for them especially during the winter months when we don’t practice as often.

Now I co-train a class with another club. The students are given an option where they want to run unless they were specifically brought in by one of us.

Our club also allows other clubs to pay $5 per practice if they want to come and practice with us. We have 2 clubs that do not practice on their own very often so their green dogs come to some of our practices and we help them out. At times we have 3 clubs (or 4) working together to get dogs up and running.

We make sure that everyone knows the costs from the beginning including dues, tourney dues, hotel costs if any, gas, etc… this way they know what to expect. they also know they must help setup/breakdown if possible.

Before someone becomes a full fledge member they do have to come to a tournament or 2 and help out. When I decide they can do warmups and if they do really, really well they may get a heat or 2. We had one couple attend tourneys for almost a year before they had a dog up and running.

I wish we could find some more people who just want to come and don’t have dogs.

Enough rambling – needless to say my club can’t decide what we do and when

So many dogs in training is really a challenge. (Especially for my brain to remember where every one is in their progression). My teammates mostly do not have more than 2 or 3 dogs in their household so this means lots of people as well.
I do incorporate the dogs in training with my team practice and sometimes do midweek work only for them. I usually will work my trained dogs and then while they rest I work my green dogs. Then my trained dogs are ready to come out again and work on something different. I find that the watching of the other dogs work is very valuable for the future handlers and you get a feel about how folks work as a member of a team.

The scenario that Jayne describes is the reason we don’t start working seriously with a dog or person until they are an associate member. The first practice they attend I spend some time talking one on one about the dog’s strengths and why they want to play flyball. I talk about what they need to have to play flyball and what kinds of costs they can expect in being involved in the sport. I do this while trained dogs are working so we aren’t wasting anyone’s time. At the end of practice we may take the dog over some jumps and everyone can get a feel for the potential of the dog and person. I then send them home with some homework to work on. The true test is if they show up for the second week and if they worked at all with their dog.

One teammate really cracked me up when she asked “When does my dog get to the level where she is a color other than green?”

This way, you don’t take away from the trained dogs that need work, and devote needed time to green dogs.

Of course, not everyone can/could make it, but if you have a few of the seasoned trainers to help – that is really all you need. You could even set your “green” dog training time on the same day – just before or after your regular practice/training. BUT, the newbies have to understand they are expected to help with the other training – which gives them loads of learning potential.

Jackie

I’m curious – how many green dogs are you (or anyone) willing to take on at a time? Do you have a limit? Have you ever run into problems having too many green dogs at once?

We’re currently facing a capacity issue. We have 4 green dogs in training (1 is my latest pup – so really 3 newbies) and we too work them into our regular practice schedule. We also have someone new interested in coming to a practice to check it out. We have no problem with them coming to see what it’s all about… but if the person is interested I’m worried that we just don’t have the resources to take on another new dog right now. We don’t want to discourage them from coming… but also don’t want them to come to a few practices and feel like they aren’t getting enough practice time and end up losing a potential new member.

I’m curious what other clubs do when faced with a sudden influx of green dogs. Do you lengthen your practices? Have a green dog max? etc.?

-Jeannie