From shy rescue to national flyball champion

A Border Collie adopted from Dogs Trust Leeds has gone from lacking confidence to winning the biggest titles in UK flyball, showing just what can be achieved when a dog finds their 'paw-fect' home.

Jax who is now 11, was adopted from Dogs Trust Leeds in November 2019 and amazed competitors last summer when he and his team won both the British Flyball Championships and the UKFL Flyball Championships. But his current successes are a far cry from his time with us, having arrived in the care of Leeds rehoming centre with lots of energy and brains, but as a shy pooch who lacked confidence.

That all changed when Julia, a dog walker from York, spotted Jax on our website, while still grieving the loss of her beloved rescue Border Collie, Seve. It wasn't long before Julia and her husband Phil welcomed Jax into their home alongside their other dog, another Border Collie, Alva.

Already involved in flyball, a fast-paced relay race where teams of four dogs sprint over hurdles, trigger a box to release a ball, and race back before the next dog sets off, Julia hoped the sport would help build Jax's confidence and use some of his typical Border Collie intelligence.

Although enthusiastic, Jax initially struggled with new situations, but with support from the Monsters of York Flyball team, Jax's confidence grew. Eventually, it all clicked: barking, running, a ball and treats.

Julia, Jax's adopter, said, "When I saw Jax on the Dogs Trust website, it was love at first sight. When I introduced him to fly ball, although he could get worried about new situations, and getting things wrong at the start, with patience and by taking things slowly, he started to make wonderful progress.

"After three years of training, Jax and our amazing team won the UKFL and British Flyball Championships. These competitions are like the Olympics of our sport, and winning them has been a dream come true.

Kelly Walker, Manager at Dogs Trust Leeds, said: "Jax's happy rehoming story is a wonderful example of just how life-changing the right home can be. Finding a home where a dog can thrive, with patience, understanding, and the right stimulation, can lead to wonderful stories, just like this one.

"We currently have lots of dogs in our care who are looking for specific homes, and may need a bit more TLC than others, who are ready to meet someone just like you! If you're ready to give a dog their 'paw-fect' home, we're here to help!"

Now aged 11, Jax is still competing and loving life with Julia, Maxie and his older 'sister' Alva, herself once a top flyball dog.