Dog Frisbee Training isn’t all that hard once you know the ‘right’ way to do it
Dog Frisbee Training is fitness and fun for all the family, including you four legged friend!
Why play frisbee with another person, when the most willing companion is chewing on your favorite pair of sneakers? Most pet dogs love chasing frisbee once their owners learn basic frisbee training methods. Before you pick up the first frisbee and toss it, it is important for Fido to develop some pre-frisbee skills. The ability to ‘retrieve’ and ‘catch’ a ball will help your canine learn frisbee quickly. Use a long lead(30′) to help with the ‘retrieve’ and start with food treats for the ‘catch-it’ command, eventually replacing treats with a new ball.
The best way to get Fido chasing the frisbee is to make it similar acting to a ball by rolling the frisbee on its side. This is called a ‘roller’ toss. To accomplish this, roll your arm around the frisbee and release it like a yo-yo close to the ground. Use multiple frisbees if possible, rewarding your dog with an immediate toss when he drops the frisbee being retrieved.
After Fido retrieves a few rollers, it is time move on to the ‘take-it’ command. We accomplish this command by holding the frisbee above our canine’s head and encourage him to jump and ‘take it’ with his mouth. Remember to use ‘super praise’ when Fido jumps in the air and takes the frisbee from your hand. Next, start leading your canine with the frisbee and teach him to ‘take it’ on the run. Once your pet dog can ‘take it’ on the run he is ready for his first catch!
Lead Fido with the disc and before he can take it from your hand, flip the frisbee in front of your dog. Fido should instinctively ‘catch it’ right out of the air! Use the verbal command at the same time the catch is made. Immediately try it again, repetition is the key to improve catching skills. Remember to put plenty of spin on the frisbee so it will hang in the air and be easier to catch.
Before your pet dog becomes a frisbee superstar, you need to be able to provide ‘good’ tosses to catch. Practice your throws as much as possible. A good frisbee thrower can ‘float’ the frisbee in the air. This allows the dog to run under the frisbee and spring high in the air for the catch. Try to snap your wrist when throwing the frisbee. This creates greater spin and longer hang time on the frisbee. Always start with short tosses because they are easier to control. Longer throws and catches requires a lot of skill from trainer and dog and evolves from everyday practice.
The recommended canine dog frisbee training disc is the Fast Back 2000 Freestyle Frisbee, 119 grams. This frisbee is very light and easy to throw. Use light sand paper to smooth sharp points left by canine teeth. These sharp points can cut gums and should be avoided. Frisbee disc should not be used as chew toys, only as a team retrieving sport with Fido. Good disc management is necessary to ensure fun and safety every workout.
Dog frisbee training sessions should take place on a flat grassy field with no hazards such as rocks, holes, glass, etc. Always have water and shade available for your frisbee dog to prevent overheating during practice. Keep frisbee workouts short and allow for your dogs stamina to build. Soon your canine frisbee superstar will bring the disc to you, letting you know a quick workout is necessary.
The sport of canine frisbee is growing rapidly. Throw and catch competition are held across the country every year and are sponsored by different canine frisbee clubs and county parks and recreation. Some dog and disc teams perform freestyle routines with multiple disc. Advanced freestyle canines perform such moves as back flips, chest vaults and back vaults. Vaults require the canine to launch himself off the trainer into the air catching the disc in mid-flight.
Just about any canine can be taught to catch a flying disc. Dogs with strong prey drives (desire to chase an object) excel in canine frisbee and most herding breeds (border collie, Australian Shepherd) pick up the sport with ease. Frisbee is a great outlet for canines who need to be worked everyday, and can help dissolve behavior problems resulting from inactivity.