Many of you know that I have been working on Flyball with my Malinois Toni. We've been doing this for 2 years now, and she is 8.5 years old.

The team that we are on is more interested in "height dogs" than they are in the bigger dogs- Toni is the biggest on the team by far. So for the past 2 years we've watched height dogs start in tournys just months after joining the team.

Currently there is a height dog that really has no business being in a tourny as she has no recall, but is still scheduled to run in a tourny this month. Toni still sits on the sidelines....

I had wanted Toni to at least get her FD or FDX before retiring her at 9. Right now it just really looks like she's never going to run....

Maybe I'm just feeling sorry for myself and feeling pissy because these dogs are racing (and getting titles) and they started a year or more AFTER Toni did...

Anyway, my question to you all is: do I keep at it or do I just call it quits and find something else for Toni to do? She appears to like it, but she will do anything I ask her to do, that's the kind of dog she is...

I might add that when the last practice schedule came out, Toni wasn't even on it... That's what really kind of pissed me off....

Thanks for your input!!!

--Kel

Sorry I don't really know how flyball works but is there another team that may take you on and let Toni run?

There aren't many teams in the area- I travel an hour to get to this one.

Most teams would prefer a height dog - they are small dogs that determine the height of the jumps.

I can ask around at the next tourny though and see what other teams say.

Kelly, I'd share your concerns with the organizer. Maybe there's something a little bigger going on. Politics perhaps?

Either way I'd be open to what he/she has to say.

It seems like you have a lot of questions right now and the total omission from the practice kind of hurts. And rightfully so when it sounds like you've been putting a lot of effort in.

Echo did great in agility but let's face it, he's a 138 lb pup with long legs. He ended up having to go last because the equipment had to be altered so drastically each time.

They were wonderful and encouraging and continue to ask us to come back but I know the extra pressure it put on the class when everything always had to be altered just for him.

He had a great time, we met some great people and learned a lot but we have just as much fun with it at home now, with my home made (and some bought) equipment. And he gets to run every time.

However, my objective never was to get him titled, just out there doing something he might like.

If titling was my objective, I'd probably talk the head person, find out what he/she thinks Toni may be lacking for the competitions and work like crazy on that area.

If it's a matter of them just not wanting a bigger dog, I'd probably discuss that too. What is it about a bigger dog that they feel can't do the job and why can't Toni have a chance, just like the others.

Her/his responses may give you a better idea of where you want to go from there.

If their thinking is way out of line with your ambitions and you really like the sport, maybe you want to look at starting up a club of your own.

Meet them in the championships and show them what a Mal can do.

gonna second what cj said . . . if you have been totally up front ( and realistic ) with the team manager about what your goals are , and your dog is running times that are comparable with the other dogs on the team , and is equally reliable , then you have every right to be pissed .

however , remember that it is just dog sport , and your dog is going to be happy whether or not he has some upper case letters behind his name . don't let your pursuit of something that is essentially meaningless to the dog ruin your enjoyment of the sport , and him .

and FWIW , i tried both flyball and agility with my first BC , and we got way , way more out of agility than flyball , like things that are actually applicable to real world situations .

some dog club politics suck. I quit going to obedience training because the trainer/teacher was so snotty. Pinker didn't want to meet the other dogs or the people or walk slowly in a circle. After they used him as the example for "how to approach the mean dog" I decided we didn't need to go any more.

I'm sure you just wanted to be a part of it and I bet it hurts your feelings.

"After they used him as the example for "how to approach the mean dog" I decided we didn't need to go any more. "

Holy crap!

That is a class trainer who needs to lose some clients.

Most dog sports can be pretty competitive. There will always be those at the top that don't want anything but top competitors. Personalities can also come to play.
You have to ask the hard question first. At 8.5 yrs old is your dog quick enough and accurate enough to be a part of this particular "team"? Lets face it. Speed and accuracy are huge parts of flyball.
That could possibly be the case and this "team" doesn't know how to loose with dignity. Not at all uncommon in any AKC event.
As others have commented, discuss it with the team leader and someone on the team that you trust.

Something's going on here, probably politics in some way because while jump heights are determined by the height dog/s it only requires ONE small dog not an entire team of them.

I don't blame you for being pissed but you should probably take your concerns to the appropriate person or persons. Otherwise decide whether you want to continue doing it if your dog never gets to run.

Kelly;

Have you had a discussion with the leaders of the group? From the outside, it sounds like you're upset, but keeping it to yourself. That won't solve anything,

My dog doesn't have the drive to compete in schutzhund. I have to be content just to participate right now, while learning how to handle and decoy. I'll be ready when I do get a competition dog.
The head of our club stuck us off to the side. As nicely as I could, I reminded him that I was paying the same fees as everyone else. I also proved to him that I could get OB titles and track with food. Now that he's seen some progress, he's much more supportive. However, he easily could have decided we weren't worth it and refused our payment.

Communication is key. It needs to be clear and effective.