Portland Tail Blazers

About Us

The Portland Tail Blazers club was co-founded in 2006 by flyball veterans Greta Kaplan and Carol Helfer, DVM.

Our Goals

  • To have fun with our dogs while we pursue our passion for our chosen sport;
  • To be a competitive team, with the intent of participating in seven to ten tournaments per year;
  • To train our dogs with positive, proven methods that enable them to achieve the best possible times in the safest possible manner;
  • To promote the sport of flyball by taking part in local demos, fun matches, etc.
Greta Kaplan started playing flyball in 2000 and is a professional dog trainer (Certified Pet Dog Trainer and Certified Dog Behavior Consultant). Greta specializes in dogs with behavior issues (aggression, shyness, etc.) She teaches our Beginner flyball class, where she employs only positive reinforcement training methods.As training supervisor in our practices, Greta helps us all find the best ways to fix any problems our dogs may be experiencing, from ball dropping to focus and drive issues.
Carol Helfer, DVM, is well-known in Region 7 not only because she has played flyball here since 1999 (when she helped to start Oregon's first flyball team), but also because she happily agrees to be the on-site veterinarian for many of the Region's tournaments each year. Carol focuses on canine sports medicine, and while she does not give free vet care to all of us, her professional expertise is invaluable to our team members. Carol is especially passionate about canine fitness, so don't be offended if she tells you that your dog is fat. She can also tell you the best way to trim down your dog and make him a lean, mean, flyball machine.
 
To contact us:
E-mail: Portland_tailblazers@flyballdogs.com