Many dogs love to play Frisbee; however, not everyone is able to grab a flying plastic disc. With a little patience and following the following steps, you will be able to teach your dog this fun and rewarding activity.
Note: This article assumes that your dog already knows how to catch a ball or similar object. If he's not capable, then teach him. You are also supposed to know how to throw a straight and backhand Frisbee
Steps
Step 1. Buy at least 2 * dog * discs
Human discs ("frisbees") can be bad for your dog. Choose from Hyperflite, Hero or Aerobie brands. These Frisbees are specially designed to reduce the risk of your dog getting hurt. There are Frisbees designed for destructive dogs (Hyperflite Jawz) and soft, flexible discs (Aerobie Dogobie), available at many pet stores.
Step 2. Associate the record with positive things to get your dog excited
Eg:
- Use the disc as a bowl to feed the dog for a week.
- Rub some meat on the disc and praise your dog for catching it.
- Play at gently plucking the disc from the dog. Always make him win. Do not tear the disc out of the dog's mouth.
- Reward any behavior that shows a desire to take the disc. This means that even if your dog jumps and grabs the disc from your hand without waiting for you to offer it to him, it is still a positive attitude!
- Don't tell your dog 'LEAVE' the record. Always use a second disc to induce the dog to leave what's in his mouth. Remember to always encourage the dog's desire to have and take the disc.
Step 3. Throw the disc by rolling it
Instead of throwing the disc into the air, throw it so that it rolls on the ground like a wheel. This helps your dog in the transition between grabbing and returning the disc; moreover, he enjoys this game very much and teaches him to identify the disc as "a target" and to catch it.
Step 4. Alternate by throwing the disc in the air and rolling it
Start with short, slow throws; be very careful not to hit your dog. At first, your dog is likely to drop the disc on the ground before catching it. It may even take 100 or more flips before the dog first catches it while it flies. Be patient!
Step 5. Encourage your dog's desire to take the disc
Eventually, your dog will get used to the flying saucer, learn to follow it in the air, and will want to catch it at all costs without waiting for it to fall to the ground. This is the moment you have been waiting for for a long time! Congratulations, your dog has finally learned!
Step 6. Prepare to have fun
Method 1 of 1: Young Dogs
Step 1. Teach to grasp
Bend slightly and hold the Frisbee in your hand, in a horizontal position with respect to the floor and at the height of the dog's mouth. Allow him to grasp the disc from your hands with his mouth. Now, tell him "drop" and immediately take the Frisbee out of his mouth. Then, praise your dog by saying "Bravo!" and repeat the step several times.
Step 2. Teach to run and catch
Now, do exactly the same exercise, but move your body in a circle away from the dog, keeping the disc level with his mouth. When the puppy grows, you can stand up and not stoop.
Step 3. Teach to jump and grab
Now that you are standing, hold the disc slightly higher than the dog's mouth and horizontal so that the dog has to jump to grab it. After a while, let go of the disc just before the dog jumps. Try moving in circles with this exercise as well.
Step 4. For larger dogs, follow the first steps
If you are training a young puppy, you will need to repeat the steps many times before he learns.
Advice
- If your dog makes holes in the disc shortly after purchase, use Hyperflite Jawz discs.
- Remember to buy puppy discs if you have a small dog.
- Remember that dogs of all breeds and sizes can learn to catch a Frisbee.
- Patience is the key to success; don't give up on your dog!
Warnings
- If you get angry or nervous, take a break. The only thing your dog will learn if you are angry is fear.
- Don't use hard plastic Frisbees, like most ones sold in pet stores. These discs cut through the dog's mouth and could shatter when the dog grabs them.
- If your dog doesn't want to be with you, then work on the recall ("come") before starting to work with the disc.
- Do not allow the dog to chew the disc.
- Do not allow dogs under one year of life to jump to take the disc. It's not good for their ligaments. Focus on rolling the puck - or not letting it lift off the ground.
