Dog Frisbee - Richard Knerr's Great Dog Legacy

Posted by Clare Bristow | Leave a Comment

frisbee-dog

I read that Richard Knerr died in January this year. Richard was a co-founder of Wham-O, the company responsible for making the Frisbee (as well as the Hula-Hoop).

Wham-O launched the Frisbee in 1958 and Frisbee Dog World Championships have been held every year since 1975 - though there are now several organizations around the world that run annual disc dog tournaments.

The format of disc dog tournaments usually consist of 'Toss and Fetch' and 'Freestyle' events. In the Toss and Fetch event points are awarded for catches at varying distances and in the Freestyle event short routines choreographed to music, with multiple discs being used, are subjectively judged for things such as canine athleticism, degree of difficulty, and showmanship. Wikipedia has a good page on the sport of Disc Dog and provides more information on Frisbee dog competitions.

The word Frisbee has been replaced by Disc to avoid trademark infringement - so when you see the term Disc Dog it's the same thing as Frisbee Dog.

Here's a 5 minute video showing clips from the Alpo Disc Dog Tournament Freestyle Event:

I've briefly tried to get Fritz and Zoe interested in Frisbee but I've not had much success. For one I can't throw a Frisbee very well, and secondly, whilst Fritz is interested in chasing after the Frisbee he prefers to shake it to death when he's caught it rather than bring it back to me. Zoe is the sort of low energy dog who prefers to stand and watch the Disc fly over her head!

Despite these teething problems, I think I shall have another go at getting them interested; Zoe's sister Jazz is besotted with her fabric Frisbee so there is some hope for Zoe yet.

If you're interested in teaching your dog how to play Frisbee I've read that it can take several weeks to months to teach your dog how to take the disc, so don't get disheartened if you don't get immediate results.

Some dogs seem to be more natural at it than others - in many of the videos I have watched the dogs all seem to be Collies or Collie crosses. However, we aren't all wanting to train world champion disc dogs, so any dog breed should be able to play Frisbee without too much trouble. If you have a dog that has plenty of energy that you need to channel into something constructive then this might be the sport for you (I've just realized why so many Collies are involved in the sport).

If you've got a puppy, then it's fine to teach them to chase after and retrieve a Frisbee, but don't train them to jump and catch the disc until they have physically matured.

Here's another video in which world class Frisbee dog trainer Zak George shows you some of the freestyle routines he has taught his dogs.

I hope this has inspired you to try a new sport with your dog - if it's winter where you are and you can't get out to exercise much, why not get your dog used to the Frisbee in the house and see if he wants to make it his new best toy whilst you are waiting for Spring to arrive.

To find out more about Disc Dog DogPatch has a great page of links to disc dog clubs, events, training, internet groups etc.

Finally, thank you Richard Knerr for bringing us the Frisbee and giving us another way to spend time having fun with our dogs!

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Filed Under Exercising, Bonding and Games, Blog 

Playing With Your Dog

Posted by Clare Bristow | Leave a Comment

It's easy to forget to play with our dogs. A trip to the dog park to let your dog run around is a much easier option than thinking up a to play, particularly when you're tired after a day at work - I know I've done it myself!

However, our dogs do appreciate interaction with us, and giving your dog a combination of mental and physical exercise is a great way to give him a well rounded workout.

Here is a video showing you 4 games to play with your dog - they all provide mental and physical stimulation, and help with training too as they require your dog to sit, stay, come, etc.

All the games can be played either in the house or when you are out for a walk, and are a great way to bond with your dog.

[Running time 4:02]


VideoJug: How To Play With Your Dog

What fun games do you play with your dog? Last month we published a list of dog games and asked people to contribute to it - check the list out at fun things to do with your dog, and please add to the list.


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Filed Under Exercising, Bonding and Games, Blog 

Fun Things To Do With Your Dog

Posted by Clare Bristow | Leave a Comment

dogs-playing-frisbeeThere are so many fun [tag]dog games[/tag], tricks other activities you can do with your dog, but do you find you stick to the same old favorites?

Johann The Dog has put together this Fun Things To Do With Your Pup Link Love Project so we can all have a great list of activities.

Zoe and Fritz wanted me to include their favorite game - Find It - where the 'It' is usually a food treat. As we are having a very wet winter here in New Zealand, we've been playing this game quite a lot - they never tire of it, must be the liver treats I use!

Please join in by adding the fun activities you get up to with your dog, the instructions are below.

It's not too late to join in the Fruit and Veggies Link Love Project, just add your dog's favorite fruit or vegetable to the list.

—————Copy and paste this line and below——————

There are all kinds of fun activities for us dogs, right? Well, let's make a list! And get some link love in the process.

Host Tag: Find It - Dog Topics

1. Agility - JohannTheDog
2. Disc Dog - Pop Dog Blog
3. A Day at the Dog Friendly Beach - The Dog Dish
4. Find It - Dog Topics
5. Canoeing with your Dog - Rescue Me
6. Activity
7. Activity
8. Activity
9. Activity
10. Activity
11. Activity
12. Activity
13. Activity
14. Activity
15. Activity
16. Activity
17. Activity
18. Activity
19. Activity
20. Activity

Instructions:

1.) Copy and paste the matrix of “Fun Things To Do With Your Dog” below, courtesy of Johann The Dog!

2.) Substitute the Host Tag and one of the “Activities” in the matrix with the name of a dog activity and URL of your blog, just like I did.

3.) When you get a ping back from someone that has your link in one of their “Activities”, practice good paw by copying his/her Host Tag’s anchor text (automatically the associated link will also be copied) and paste it over one of your “Activities” below.

4.) Encourage and invite your readers to do the same and soon this can grow fast. And if your not a dog, but your blog about dogs, or own a dog, you are also welcome to participate!

Important: Once I get a ping back from you, I will add your anchor text and the associated link you designate as “Host Tag” here, replacing one of the “Activity” from the matrix above. As more and more doggie bloggers copy and paste this matrix, the more backlinks you will have with your anchor text. If everybody who copies and pastes from your blog does the same, pretty soon this will spread and go viral. So, the sooner you participate, the more links with anchor text you will receive.

There it is folks. This should help you improve your Technorati ranking, SERP and Google PR and get you noticed with more blogs - we all like making friends, right? Please leave a comment here if you have copied from this matrix so that I can add you just in case your ping-back didn’t reach me.

—————Copy and paste this line and above——————


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Filed Under Exercising, Bonding and Games, Blog 

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