In any open field, on any relatively nice day, you canl usually see people playing Frisbee with their dogs. Playing Frisbee with your dog can be good exercise for both of you, but training a dog to play Frisbee might be a challenge. The experts tell us that virtually any healthy dog more than 30 pounds in weight can be a competent disc dog.
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History
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The Frisbee was developed in the 1950s by W. F. Morrison who witnessed college students tossing and retrieving pie plates from the Frisbie Pie Company. Morrison's first commercial version of the disc was called a Pluto Platter, reflecting that era's interest in UFOs. When the Wham-O toy company bought Morrison's idea they changed the name to Frisbee. The disc was instantly popular, especially with dog owners who used it for a new version of fetch.
Training
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You can either train your dog yourself or find a professional trainer to do it for you. Finding trainers who specialize in Frisbee may be easier in metropolitan areas, and especially in areas where Frisbee competitions are common. However, with a little patience and some advice from experts, anyone should be able to train his own dog.
Warnings
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Make sure your dog is in good health; the teeth, feet and joints should all be checked by a veterinarian. The ideal age for Frisbee training is while the dog is still young, but after she has gotten over at least most of her puppy chewing behavior. Puppies think Frisbees are great chew toys, and you don't want the dog ingesting plastic. Even after puppyhood, dogs may be tempted to eat the flying discs, so you'll need to take measures to prevent this.
Technique
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A flying Frisbee can pack a wallop, so it's best to start off by rolling the Frisbee; once your dog learns to catch it on the floor and to return it to you, you can start gently tossing the disc. To prevent your dog from absconding with the Frisbee and having it for lunch you can either keep the dog on a retracting leash to pull him back to you once he has the disc, or you can attach a string to the disc itself in order to retrieve it. Make sure you give your dog lots of praise, and even a treat, when the disc is back in your hand, teaching him to associate positive rewards with returning the Frisbee.
Progression
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When your dog has mastered the catch-and-return basics you can start tossing the Frisbee higher and farther, always rewarding the extra effort. The speed, acrobatics, and catching skill will depend in part on the size and breed of your dog. Don't push her too hard and don't get frustrated. This should be a fun, healthy activity for both of you, and another way to help you bond with your lovable canine.
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