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My family recently became flyball participants with our two border collies Seth and Mabel. It's a great way for the dogs to blow off steam and I'm overjoyed that we found a sport the whole family can enjoy. There doesn't seem to be a lot of information about this activity and I think your readers (and their dogs of course) would like to know about it.

Kim P.

Hi Kim,

Flyball! I can't imagine writing that word without an exclamation point. It's a fun dog sport and you're correct - it's an activity in which the entire family can participate.

Flyball involves a run with hurdles and ball launcher. Each dog jumps the hurdles and launches a ball into the air by pressing a pedal attached to a box. The dog grabs the ball and returns over the hurdles to his waiting owner. The sport began in California in the 1970s but its popularity exploded when it was demonstrated on the Johnny Carson show.

By 1984, the North American Flyball Association was formed by a group of participants from the Toronto-Detroit area. Tournaments are often featured entertainment at pet-related events and rural fairs. It's fast-paced and wonderful fun for the dogs, handlers and audience.

Your border collies are perfectly suited to the sport. In fact, I remember attending a tournament many years ago when association had just announced new rules regarding border collie participants.

The breed was so talented at the game that officials were forced to create a special category just for them lest they take off with all the trophies at every tournament.

Dogs of all breeds, purebred or mixed, are invited to learn the game at many local dog training schools and if your dog is a natural at the sport, you can advance to joining a competitive flyball team.

In competition, each team consists of four dogs of similar height and the hurdles are adjusted according to the smallest dog on the team. The minimum hurdle height is eight inches; the maximum is 16 inches.

In tournaments, two teams race side by side in lanes spaced 15 feet apart. The course is 51 feet long and includes four hurdles spaced 10 feet apart. The tennis ball launcher is set 15 feet from the final hurdle. A whistle, buzzer or electronic light (similar to those used in motorsport racing) is used for "Ready-Set-Go" and the first dog on each team is set off on the course. The term "full tilt boogie" comes to my mind when I watch the super-advanced competitive flyball teams.

These dogs are so well trained at the game that they're able to hit the start line at full speed just as the "Go" signal is heard.

The dogs jump the hurdles, release the tennis ball, retrieve the ball in the air and return to their owners at breathtaking speed. I lose my breath just thinking about it. The team that completes the course in the fastest time with fewest errors is judged the winner.

I think it's great that you and your family have become involved in a dog sport that not only provides hours of fun and exercise but also fosters a human-dog bond that is truly exceptional.

Flyball classes are often available year-round at dog training schools that are expansive enough to accommodate the large physical area required by this sport.

Some schools offer flyball classes only during the summer months when training can take place in outdoor locations such as public parks. For information, contact dog trainers in your area or visit www.flyball.org.

E-mail jacque-newman@rogers.com with a question, comment or suggestion.