Fast, Furry, and Free: Flyball Takes Flight in Edgewood

By RUSSELL HUFFMAN

On any given Sunday morning in Edgewood, the air at Venus Park in Edgewood is filled with the rhythmic thud-thud-thud of paws hitting turf and the sharp click of a mechanical box releasing a tennis ball.

Welcome to Flyball: a high-octane relay race quickly becoming the “gateway drug” to dog sports for local residents. Leading the charge is Dena Schneider, club captain of Sandia EnchantMutts. She is proving that your dog doesn’t need a specialized pedigree to be a world-class athlete.

From PetSmart to Looking for the Winner’s Circle

Dena Schneider’s journey into the sport began in 1999 with a young Labrador. After a chance encounter at a neighborhood puppy class, she was invited to watch practice. “My Lab was in heaven,” Schneider recalls. “It was a great way to get some exercise for him. I’ve pretty much been doing it with all my dogs ever since.”

After moving to the Albuquerque area in 2005, Schneider became a member of a Flyball group known as the High Desert Sun Dogs, but the group eventually broke up. When people found out Schneider had previously started a group called Pawmetto Pack in South Carolina, they encouraged her to captain another one.

Out of all that was born the Sandia EnchantMutts club and now Schneider is here in the East Mountain community providing a free local outlet for the sport. For her, it’s about more than just competition; it’s about the connection.

“When you learn to do a dog sport with your dog, you build a bond that you’re not going to get just hanging around the house,” Schneider says. “You and your dog learn to communicate a lot better, and you just have a better relationship.”

True Athletes: The “Swimmer’s Turn”

While it might look like a simple game of fetch, Flyball is a sophisticated athletic endeavor. The dogs must sprint over four hurdles, trigger a spring-loaded box to release a ball, and race back. All this happens while another dog barrels down the adjacent lane.

One of the most impressive technical aspects is the “swimmer’s turn.” Unlike a casual backyard romp where a dog might stop and sniff, Flyball dogs are taught to hit the ball box with all four paws. They use it like a starting block in a pool to pivot and launch back toward the finish line in one fluid motion.

“It looks simple,” Schneider explains, “but teaching them that the jumps are not optional and handling the myriads of distractions of a relay race (dogs running and barking, people yelling, judges’ whistles etc) takes work. The ‘target board’ is for starting new dogs on learning the swimmer’s turn at a slight angle, gradually working up to the much steeper angle of the box (which doesn’t change).”

A Sport for Every Dog (Even the Pugs!)

Larissa Keesee joined the group about 18 months ago and is a testament to the sport’s accessibility. She is a dedicated rescue advocate who volunteers with the Pug Ranch and East Mountain Companion Animal Project (EMCAP). Keesee was drawn to Flyball because of Schneider’s “everyone is welcome” philosophy.

“I have rescue dogs and foster dogs. I want to give them an outlet, but professional training can be so expensive,” Keesee says. “For Dena, it’s not about the money. Instruction is free, and she already owns all the equipment.”

Keesee’s dog, Phoebe, started with zero knowledge and is now a ball-retrieving pro. She believes the sport is a vital tool for keeping dogs in their homes. “People want to rehome animals because they have ‘too much energy’ or they’re bored and chewing the walls. I’m trying to get people involved. They can see that if you give the dog an outlet, those issues often disappear.”

And if you think your dog is too small or too “squishy-faced” for the sport, think again. Keesee has seen everything from Toy Poodles to Pugs take the field. “It doesn’t have to be a Border Collie or a Greyhound. As long as the owner is committed, any dog can learn.”

Joining the Pack

The Sandia EnchantMutts are currently preparing for a tournament at EXPO New Mexico, the first weekend in May. While the team is still growing, the goal is to eventually host local tournaments in the East Mountains.

For those interested in checking it out, the group typically practices Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM. In the summer months, they shift to 7:00 AM to beat the heat. Schneider emphasizes a “safety-first” approach, where the owner is always the final authority on what their dog can handle.

“Everybody has to start somewhere,” Schneider says. “Whether you want to compete nationally or just give your dog a fun morning out, we’re just happy to have fresh blood—and fresh paws—on the team.”

Kids Too

“We encourage kid to take part and they are very welcome in this sport,” Schneider said. “I’ve seen kids as young as four years old racing dogs on a team. This is one of the few opportunities kids will get to be part of a real team where they outdo their adult counterparts. Their energy, enthusiasm, speed and reflexes give them an edge, and make them valued team members.

Interested in joining? Contact Keesee at (505) 359-0602 or look for the Sandia EnchantMutts at their next Edgewood practice. You can also check out their Factbook page here. Just remember to bring some “high-value” treats—Larissa recommends chicken—and a standard leash. While drop-ins are welcome, visitors are encouraged to check beforehand so the staff is prepared to help them.