Information thread for disc competitions for canines. I have been training my parents Golden Retriever to chase discs, slowly working towards catching. Does anyone have any advice for disc types? On a related note, I am considering getting a dog of my own, anyone suggest a good disc dog (Border Collie perhaps)? Most likely will be adopted from a shelter as I am not too concerned with breed authenticity.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disc_dog

5/15/2008 11:49:17 AM

5/15/2008 11:56:13 AM

My dog:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlRpM0S7wys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvsSb1wDMPo

5/15/2008 12:20:04 PM

border collies are great frisbee dogs. but be warned, they are high maintenance. They need several hours of exercise every day. And it has to be meaningful exercise, not just walking. these dogs have to chase something, herd something, catch something, or else they go nuts. If you're willing to put in lots of frisbee time every day, a border collie might be the right dog for you. They're also really good at agility stuff.

You won't need to train them to catch a disk! They'll pick that up right away. they're smart dogs and strangely that can make it harder to teach them commands.

Quote :

"If Border Collies are so smart, then why aren't they easy to train? If you are not a precise sort of trainer (most people aren't), then trying to train an intelligent Border Collie can be a frustrating task. Yes, they can pick up commands on two or three tries but they are also very perceptive and are constantly thinking. If, in teaching your dog to sit, you raise your right hand and say "Sit", the dog may pick that up the first time through. However, if the next time you repeat the command, you raise your arm at a different angle and use a slightly lower tone of voice or a different pace, a Border Collie will often pick up the subtle distinction and think that you are using an entirely new command. Border Collies have a difficult time learning to generalize, basically because it takes a dog that is less "critical" to be able to follow a sloppy command. Training a Border Collie can be like trying to teach a nerdy child that likes to overanalyze everything - it can be frustrating and an exhaustive exercise in patience. What are the other problems with owning a smart dog? Intelligence in dogs is a double-edged sword. Yes, Border Collies can learn lots of tricks and can have quite a large vocabulary but they also can learn lots of bad things too. Having a smart dog means waging a continual intellectual war with your dog, trying to outsmart them as they figure out each progressive intellectual step you take. Trying to confine a Border Collie can be an exercise in futility. Just when you put in a gate, they figure out how to get over (under) it. When you put in a door, they figure out how to push it open. You put in a latch and they figure out how to turn doorknobs. Some owners even swear that their Border Collies can pick combination locks - though their paws make it hard to turn the dial. If you do not enjoy engaging in intellectual warfare, especially with a non-human, a less "perceptive" and somewhat "denser" breed may be in order."

5/15/2008 3:43:46 PM

My good friend now has 3 border collies. Saying they are a handful is a understatement. I want the intelligence, exercise factor, but with a bit mellow-er breed. Perhaps a border/lab mix?

5/16/2008 3:59:19 PM

I have a border collie/german shep mix that is very intelligent but somehow does not have that batshit craziness of most border collies. I got him from border collie rescue. Mixes are always good choices! also check out cattle dogs and australian shepherds and various mixes of these.

5/16/2008 5:21:36 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1MANTEEZs0



[Edited on May 26, 2008 at 8:18 PM. Reason : ]

5/26/2008 8:18:33 PM

are there any frisbees that dont get dented as fast? My dog chews on it a bit before handing it over and it gets mangled after playin with it for a while

5/27/2008 1:16:45 AM

Well, if you just want durability I think the company that makes the KONG toys also makes a frisbee out of the same material. It's a bit thicker than the regular frisbees but it is pretty clear that it holds up well against dogs. My brother has one for his dog (50% german shepherd 50% rottweiler mix) and she hasn't managed to scratch the thing yet. Now, it is really freaking dirty and gets covered in dog slobber, but it's not all dented and ruined yet. The kong frisbee isn't as rigid as a regular frisbee but for a doggie toy it flies just fine.

5/27/2008 2:20:09 AM

KONG SAUSER 12.99 at petsmart


sweet! i just got into othe frisbee thing for my dog (also a sheppard mix) and ill be damned if the thing isn't full of teethmarks the first time i use it

5/27/2008 2:52:08 AM

^^ I love the kong frisbee.

my boxer mix is a super chewer, we sometimes buy a stack of the 99 cent frisbees at petsmart, but they dont last more than a few days each. The kong frisbee is nearly indestructible. The drawback is that it is heavier so it has a much different feel to throwing it, and it doesn't hang as long.

5/27/2008 8:41:41 AM

I have a border collie/lab mix.

She is quite smart, that's for sure; and she definitely needs a lot of exercise. But she's also pretty laid back and relaxed.

There are definitely times when I can tell she's looking at me after I've told her to do something or stop doing something and thinking, "I hear you, and I understand what you're saying; I just disagree, that's all."

5/27/2008 9:00:20 AM

i would go with another breed just because competitions are already ~90% border collie

saw one guy with a pit bull doing the disc competition and that was pretty interesting. all the other competitors at that certain show were border collies

5/27/2008 9:08:26 AM

We have a boxer/german shepeherd mix who is really muscular and wirey and super fast with a tennis ball, so we're planning on training him for frisbees soon. His level of activity is awesome, he loves just laying around or running like a mad man.

5/27/2008 10:40:43 AM

just to completely skew results here, haha, I've got a border collie/austrailian shepard mix who should be ace at frisbee catching. She should also be hyper as shit and a handful.


Well, she's afraid of frisbees, ducks when you throw one at her, and sleeps on the couch all day. She's 2 years old. lol. She goes nuts over tennis balls, and does like to do some agility course stuff, but definitely not into frisbees. As far as her 'breed' goes, she does not fit the stereotypes AT ALL.

So when ya go pick one out at the shelter, and you're dead set on a 'frisbee' dog, take one w/ ya to make sure the dog likes it.

My friend back home has a boxer who is the best frisbee dog i've ever seen.

5/27/2008 3:01:01 PM

once my dog gets done being sick, I might try to train him to catch frisbees. he's a lab.

5/27/2008 3:26:17 PM

For those of you beginning to train.

Quote :

" Preliminary Considerations # Visit your veterinarian for a thorough check-up before you start because canine Frisbee can be vigorous exercise for your dog. # Any healthy, active dog can learn to catch a Frisbee. Many champions are border collies, but mixed breeds and dogs rescued from shelters have become some of the most successful Frisbee dogs. # Let your dog warm up before any workout and always have fresh water on hand. # Practice on a grassy area and check for broken glass and holes first. Avoid asphalt, concrete and gravel, which can be hard on your dog's joints and paws. # Give lots of praise and never yell at your dog if he is unable to catch the Frisbee. # Keep training sessions short. You should stop before your dog gets bored so the experience is always fun. # Don't let your dog chew on the Frisbee. Getting Ready # Get your dog comfortable with the Frisbee by using it as a food or water bowl. This technique works with puppies and adult dogs. It allows them to associate the disc with something positive. # Slowly substitute the Frisbee for another toy that your dog likes, adding to your dog's comfort level with the disc. Ready, Set, Go # Start off by sliding the Frisbee back and forth on the ground in front of your dog while encouraging him to get the disc. Let him take it out of your hand. # Move on to rolling the Frisbee on the ground and encouraging your dog to chase it. After he has the Frisbee, don't pull it from him. Offer praise. # When your dog is interested in playing with the Frisbee, toss it and let him chase. Keep the tosses short so the Frisbee stays clearly visible as an attractive object to retrieve. # At this point, be careful not to throw the Frisbee directly at your dog, so he is not afraid of the disc. # Stand about three feet in front of your dog, gently toss the Frisbee in the air and say "Catch." If he catches it, give him lots of praise. If he doesn't catch it, pick it up off the ground yourself. The catch should be the reward. # Stand to the right of your dog (if you are right-handed) and toss the Frisbee in front of you, the same short distance. This will teach the dog to move to the Frisbee instead of waiting for it to come to him. # Once your dog is comfortable catching short throws, make your tosses longer. # Get your dog used to retrieving the Frisbee by attaching a long leash to his collar. If he does not return the Frisbee to you, give the leash a gentle tug. # Do not ask your dog to leap until he has physically matured (1 or 2 years). Hold the disc above his head and say "Jump" and let go when he grabs the disc."

5/27/2008 3:37:28 PM

This is the disc I picked up at the beach. I read somewhere that Yellow/Blue are the only colors I dog can see (other than gray scale). I will see when I get home if its puncture resistant.
"The Superdisc's soft, rubber edge provides a great grip for strong throws and remains smooth to catch even after landing on pavement. Conventional discs often develop sharp scratches and burrs. Made from non-toxic materials, the Superdisc's soft edge is also kind to a dog's mouth, making it the disc of choice for many professional dog disc entertainers. Floats in water!"

5/27/2008 3:49:45 PM

my dog loves his red petsmart tennis ball.

5/27/2008 6:15:58 PM

I have no idea what mix Murphy is. We thought he was mostly lab when we first got him, but he looked a lot like my housemate's border collie, except not quite as neurotic as that dog was.



I do know that he loves fetching stuff though.

5/27/2008 8:49:32 PM

murphy is the awesomest.

5/27/2008 8:50:25 PM

^^ Nice catch!

And that Aerobie Superdisc flies incredible, slow descent for easier catches. Bright-Eye caught a few at about 15yds today, but definatly put some minor puncture wounds in the disc....

5/27/2008 8:56:47 PM