Getting Started...
Assuming you already have a canine buddy that you want to play disc with. And want to know,  “Can my dog do that?” Certain breeds are more well suited than others. Super large breeds (Great Danes) and super small breeds (teacup anything) are not well suited for frisbee. Jack Russels have been know to play well and can use a smaller disc. Labs retrieve naturally but are a little large for some of the tricks, they do great in the distance trials. Most breeds you’ll see out there are the herding breeds. Aussies, Cattle Dogs and Border Collies. And lots of mixed breeds.

Before you start any new training you should have your dog checked by your vet. Let your vet know what you are going to be training for. They will examine your dog and give you an “ok”, that your dog is in good health and ready to go. Be aware that young puppies and older dogs should have their training tailored for their physical needs. Puppies should not be encouraged to jump until the bones in the legs/hips have stopped growing. Somewhere around 18 months. Your vet can examine your dog and tell you when it is ok to start jumping.

Basic obedience is a must before you start training for frisbee. Your dog should have a solid off leash recall before you ever let him/her off leash. With the basic obedience  you have a good foundation to start adding more commands/tricks. Patience and Practice is the key to training. Again, Patience and Practice.
Your Training Goals...
Watch some video of competitions, see what it's all about.
Then decide WHAT your goals are for Disc Training.

Are you aiming for a freestyle routine, are you gonna compete, are you comfotarble staying with only Toss-n-Fetch, is this only for weekend fun and exercise....you decide whats best for you and your dog!!


"Frisbee" is Trademarked by Whamo, so we use the word "disc" instead!

Disc is a TEAM sport, never let your dog have a disc as a chew toy!
Your pup should only get to play with you!

Practise in shorts sessions, always have fun and end on a good note!
And remember that if your dog misses a catch....
IT"S THE HANDLER'S FAULT!!      NOT THE DOG'S!!!!
Be Safe!
Fetch
Fetch consists of three parts. The chase, the catch/get it and the retrieve/bring. It is recommend to start training the “Fetch” with something other than a Frisbee/Disc. Like a fabric ball or toy. And transfer to a disc later. This is done because, during your training you may have to make slight corrections. You don’t want any negative feeling towards the disc. And right now we are just teaching fetch. You can start teaching this at any age. Remember all training should be upbeat and fun.

The chase is the first part of your retrieve/fetch. Tie a toy to a string and entice your dog to chase it. Wiggle it around on the floor in front of the dog, make happy noises, act excited. Give lots of praise when your dog chases the toy. Let him get it. Praise. Gently remove from pups mouth, no command yet. Next to can try rolling a ball, not to far for a young pup. And then throwing the ball. Get your dog excited about the chase. This will be easier for some dogs than others. Don’t discourage if your dog doesn’t pick it up right away. Keep trying. Now that your dog is interested in the chase add the “get it” command. And praise when he/she gets it. Let them have a high ratio of getting it. Let him/her win. Keep it fun. If your dog already has a good chase and get it, move on to bringing it back.
Retrieve
Retrieve is the taking of an object,  carrying it and giving it up.   Your dog is now getting the toy and picking it up, now let’s get him/her to bring it back.

Give the toy a toss and  “Go.., Get it!” Once your dog has the toy/disc in his/her mouth call him/her and move in the opposite direction. Some dogs will follow you, and when they get to you praise the daylights out of them! Lots of praise! Add the “Bring it” command as your dog is returning to you reliably.

If your dog runs from you after retrieving the frisbee/toy DO NOT chase him/her and start a game of “keep away”.  (This is where a solid recall is handy.) You may want to attach a 20-30Ft lead to your dog. Toss the toy, let the lead drag on the ground, as soon as your dog gets the toy/disc, take the lead and call him/her back. Moving backwards calling your dog. Use a very excited voice. If he/she doesn’t budge, give a small tug on the lead, a suggestion to move this way. Continue calling and a small tug until the dog is to you, PRAISE! If you want your dog to repeat a behavior you gotta praise the daylights out of them!

Let them hold onto the toy at this stage, while you praise. Gently remove from mouth with no command and toss again. It is important to go step by step. First we built up the chase drive, then we taught “get it” and now we did “bring it” Next we’ll discuss the “drop” command. Then put it all together!

Routine

It’s never too soon to put together a routine and start competing! (Make sure your dog is physically ready, checked by a vet) Start off by writing down the throws/moves you know onto index cards. Put the throws with highest chance of a successful catch at the beginning, and your newer throws near the end. Next group a few moves together, leaving space for disc management (pick up), and go practise them together. This will help you dictate where the dog will be coming from, how each move flows into the next and how many disc needed for each sequence. From here you can rearrange throws as needed. Always work in short sequences of throws. Practise! Practise! Get the flow of each sequence down, then start grouping them together into a 90 second routine. Thinking  about music, pick something family friendly, up beat and a song you can jam to. Bring it with you, labeled, to each competition.
Drop
A reliable “Drop!” command is very important to any canines well being. “Drop” can be for toys, your shoes, trash and harmful items.

DO NOT chase your dog when he/she has something you want dropped. It will only turn into a game of keep away. Try turning your back and walking the other direction. This will often make the dog realize that play time is over if he/she will not drop the toy/frisbee back to you. Or sit down and wait him/her out. Playing is much more fun than sitting. He’ll most likely come over to see you are doing, drop the toy so he can sniff or lick you. At that point, PRAISE!

Or try having two toys of the same, or two discs. When your dog returns with the first toy, pull out the other one, ready to toss but not until he drops the first one, act like the second one is way more exciting than the first. Praise!

Or use treats. When your dog returns to you, have a treat ready, give the “Drop” command, show him/her the treat. Most dogs will drop anything they have to eat a treat! Praise continue your game of fetch.

Add the “Drop” command when
he’s doing it consistently.

Now you have it! The basic fetch and
release. Now let’s add a disc!
Adding The Disc
Before starting to throw a Disc for your dog, learn the proper way to handle the disc with a human friend. This is a tremendous help when your dog is learning to catch it.

Never give the frisbee to your dog to play with on his own. He can chew it up and swallow harmful pieces. It is expensive to replace discs every day. And Disc Doggin is a team sport. Your dog should only get to play with the disc with you.


Introducing a frisbee/disc
Please see the section on the different types of discs.
To get your dog interested in the frisbee some feed thier dogs out of it. Which if your dog has never seen a frisbee before may be a good idea. When playing with you dog move it back and forth on the floor in front of him/her. Encouage the chase and the get it. If you’ve got a good fetch down you can start rollers.

Rollers are where you roll the disc on its side, on the ground. This will entise your dog to chase it and get a feel for grabing the disc while in motion. Or slide it arcoss the floor. Don’t expect the pup to catch the disc in the air, just teach him to retrieve it from a slide or roller. Once your pup is returning the disc, the next step is to get them to catch it in the air.
“Catch It!”


Once your dog has a reliable fetch down and is comfortable with the disc you can add catching. Please practise throwing the disc without your dog, before adding your dog. It is very hard for a dog to catch a badly thrown disc. Get the dog excited about playing with you and the disc. Start with a “take”. Have the dog jump, just a little, to take it from your hand. Hold the disc slightly over the dogs head , to the side. Move the disc in a forward motion and have your dog “take” it from your hand. Then you can start letting go right before the dog gets there. Then very low, short throws. Short, start with 2ft throws. Extend your throws with your dogs success. Care should be taken when throwing it for your dog. Always throw to the side, never straight at them, as it may hit them and cause them to be mistrustful of the disc. Do not be discouraged if your dog does not immediately take to the airborne catch. Some dogs take many months to establish the coordination needed to catch the Frisbee in mid-flight.

Jumping
Care should be taken when training your dog to jump. When a dog leaps, it should land flat, so that all four legs absorb part of the impact. Try training your dog to jump by teaching them to jump through a hula hoop. This will force the dog the get their rear up in the air during a leap and land flat. Remember that young dogs should not be encouraged to jump. It is advisable to work with someone experienced in discing when teaching your dog to jump.
Remember...

Always quit before your dog is ready. Always end on a good catch. End while your ahead! You want your dog to feel good about playing frisbee and want to do it again.

In general, short sessions are better than long ones. Always use your happy voice and remember this is about having fun with your dog.

Always provide water and shade for your dog.

Put the discs away when you are not there. You should never let the dog have a disc when you are not around.

Don’t encourage a dog under 18 months to leap.

Disc Dog Etiquette
Keep your canine leashed/crated and under control.
Aggressive dogs should not attend and may be asked to leave.
Please, no female dogs in any stage of heat!
Always clean up after your dog!
Abusive language/treatment of your dog/others will not be tolerated.

What to Bring to an Event
Discs!
Your dog or dogs!
Proof of Vaccinations.
X-pen, crate or tie down. Waste Bags
Shade!  Chair or groundcloth.
Plenty of water for both you and your dog.
Standard leash
Flexi-leads are discouraged.