by Kelly

Dennis was an abandoned and neglected vizsla, who was nursed back to health by Kelly, and her husband Jim, a little over two years ago. The vet ballparked his age as between one and two years old at the time.

Flyball has helped Dennis continue his healing journey. He has gained a confidence that he did not have before. Initially he was super afraid of the flyball box, and approached it like he was being asked to remove a ticking grenade from it. He would “suck” the ball out of the hole, ever so careful not to touch the box, lest he touch and trigger the box. Eventually he learned that he could earn treats by touching the box, and it was at this point that he decided the box was not his enemy, but  a slot machine that would dispense yummy chicken treats if he could just find the right place to touch. He would stand with his front feet on top of the box, touching it with his nose, tapping it with his foot, even checking behind it for a secret button, much like an addicted canine gambler at a slot machine!

Nowadays, Dennis has no trouble at all getting on that box and whizzing back with the ball. He has even earned himself a few flyball titles!
Nov. 15, 2009