the discdog Where canine frisbee is a discipline born in the United States in the 70s. The Société Centrale Canine (SCC) introduced it in France in 2007. To play Frisbee with his dog, the latter must know how to obey his master, interact with him and show special interest in games and activities. Dog sport in its own right, it is suitable for healthy dogs who have finished their growth, from the age of 18 months in principle. Certain breeds cannot practice this activity, in particular hypertyped dogs whose morphology is altered and brachycephalic breeds, dogs with flattened muzzle such as the English Bulldog. This sport is not recommended for sensitive or sick animals with joint problems, back pain, kidney pain or overweight. On the other hand, it is totally suitable for sport dogs or active dogs and especially well educated who need to work out every day. To avoid the risk of injuries, sprains or fractures, you can practice this sport together by following our precautions, or even take lessons with a canine sports coach. It’s up to you to see if you are more of a Frisbee in the park or a competitor or both. Nice workout!
The Discdog: what is this dog sport?
Knowing that most dogs can practice discdog (apart from the exceptions mentioned above), the breeds of dogs suitable for the practice of this physical sport due to numerous jumps are the Malinois, the Australian Shepherd, the Jack Russell, the border collar … This consists of catching far, even far away, the dog frisbee at ground level or at a height for the more seasoned. Your playmate must know how to jump and simultaneously catch the Frisbee and do a few acrobatics (after several months of training).
It’s a dog sport for dogs and their owners which must be practiced in pairs, combining energy, athleticism and creativity. Remember that this mainly remains a game for your loyal dog and not a sport necessary for his development, as can be the case for humans. The benefits of discdog are similar to those of other dog sports, with the difference that it allows the dog to exercise physically while remaining a rather quiet sport for the owner. It simply requires a minimum of flexibility 😉 In addition, it strengthens emotional bonds, strengthens obedience and self-control in the pet. It can also solve certain behavioral disorders of the dog.
Initiation to disc-dog in 5 steps
Before starting your Frisbee session with your dog, make sure that he positive canine education and that he doesn’t dread grabbing an object in his mouth or even jumping on you. To do this, he must know take the frisbee in the hand of the master and manage to keep the object tight in his canines. You can use a frisbee, but also other dog toys such as a kong toy, a soft toy, any soft and resistant object. Can you do it? It’s perfect…
Step 1: warm-ups
As in humans, physical activity begins with a good warm-up of the muscles to avoid muscle pain or strains during your workout. Order a few simple injunctions, such as sitting and standing, several times so that he performs several pull-ups. The front legs resting on a suitable gym ball will only optimize the flexibility exercise.
Then guide your dog to the right then to the left so that he turns on himself (using a treat or his favorite toy or a blanket for example). This allows you to do some muscle twists on both sides, a flexibility exercise essential in this activity.
Step 3: small jumps
Now teach him to jump over your thigh and over your back. Gradually, your dog gains confidence and have no apprehension about playing with you. Roll the disc on the ground so that it runs after to catch it.
Step 4: orders from the disc-dog
Your dog must know how to wait for your verbal or gestural signal, to be defined according to your educational habits: tankard, leash, off, etc. For example, with the slogan “off” or “give” to release the frisbee, you must be able to handle the toy under his nose without him allowing himself to take it until you have pronounced the word. magic “mug”.
Encourage success of your brave dog on a high pitched “bravo!” “ouiii!” then reward him with each positive intension on his part. The important thing is to give him confidence so that he dares to jump on you and put his hind legs on your stomach or your back. This is done gradually, it is advisable to get him used to the puppy preferably a few minutes a day, avoiding saying “ouch!”, As this would risk slowing him down and therefore he would not understand the exercise.
Step 5: a disc-dog game
Rotate your four-legged companion around you, the Frisbee in hand: bring your feet together then spread your legs alternately. It should go between your legs in either direction. Then show him the frisbee in his mouth to start check the disc grip by giving him your basic injunctions.
Throw the Frisbee by rolling it on the ground so your dog will run after the rolling Frisbee and bring it back to you by foot or better yet, by hand. Likewise, sitting on the ground next to your dog, throw the disc at his height until your dog grabs it in its mouth.
Don’t throw the Frisbee too high and help your dog to walk towards the flying object. The goal is for him to be able to jump and catch it on the fly. Once you are comfortable you can start lifting your leg to pass the Frisbee under and throw it or do figures of speech (seen in competition). We must continue to play with the dog by sharing this pleasure with 2!
The disc-dog in competition
The discdog is just emerging in France and includes two main disciplines, namely, the distance, rather fun and trendy, and freestyle, rather technical and artistic. Like any high level sport, it is recommended to train with a professional twice a week in order to avoid doing badly or injuring your dog. It will take at least two years of practice before you can spontaneously perform the following figures of speech. Let’s take a closer look at what it is.
The dog is running many round trips over a defined perimeter 50 meters long. He runs and grabs the Frisbee as far as possible and brings it back to his master as many times as necessary. It’s a team sport that is played by 2, the frisbee throws are repetitive, and in this case, it is better to have a good movement of the wrist 😉
To avoid a strain or injury, your pet should undertake good physical preparation by building muscles at home, testing dog fitness and doing regular workouts.
Freestyle or the different figures
Those different figures of speech can be found in the dancing-dog or the oberythmy, another canine sport in which the dog performs acrobatics and accelerations thanks to his master. This one must throw the frisbee in several different ways, which increases the difficulty of the simple throw:
- Crouching on the ground, it takes its momentum by jumping on your back to catch the frisbee.
Almost lying down, legs in the air spread, your dog jumps in the middle of you and grabs the Frisbee.
You toss the frisbee in front of you by leaning back a bit and your dog catches it right in front of you by jumping in the air.
Tricks and choreography: you can catch your little dog in your arms as he jumps and grabs the Frisbee or play leapfrog, he jumps over your back, your leg extended or goes under, here you are to do a lot of tricks too!
- Reward your furry partner with treats when they are successful. You can even use the Frisbee as a nice bowl by turning it over to give it dog food or dog biscuits.
In summary ! Get started with your active or athletic dog in the discdog, a frisbee game that messes up hair and hair! It is a complete team sport that helps channel the dog’s energy. To vary the pleasures, you can always try another dog sport such as cani-walk or cani-rando or canivvt, not to mention the nap in the shade in summer by avoiding the periods of high heat.