While out at your favorite dog park with your new Labrador Retriever
watching the owners play catch with their dogs and discs, you realize
it's time to show Howie how to catch one. You refuse to be outdone by
the showboating team of Jeff Johnson and his German Shepherd, who you
must admit, make disc-throwing look like an Olympic sport.
Before you embark on this sport, read on for five tips to help you and Howie too become forces to be reckoned with:
Start Slow
Before you and Howie get started, you
need to introduce the concept to him slowly. The goal is for him to
chase a disc, catch it in his mouth, and bring it back to you without
hurting himself. It's a good idea to practice just the two of you in the
backyard to get him comfortable with this new sport. When you start
throwing discs at your dog, he might not know right away what to do with
it or why it's in the air for that matter. Begin by rolling the disc to
him to get him used to the size and shape of it. Some trainers suggest
even attaching food or treats to the disc so they can associate it with
something fun and positive. When Howie finally gets it, make sure to
praise him. And don't expect him to be an Olympic dog champion overnight
Choose the Right Disc
To get him started, find a disc that
doesn't hurt Howie's teeth and mouth while he's learning this new sport.
Discs that are light and are made out of soft material are great for
beginners. However, they won't fly as high or as long as some of the
heavier discs on the market. Lightweight, rigid discs are also popular
because they are easy for the pet parent to throw accurately and have a
lower chance of hurting your dog if he's struck by one. Keep in mind,
your dog can puncture lightweight discs with his teeth and potentially
cut his mouth or even your hand. Experiment with different discs and
find one that benefits both you and your pup.
Know When to Hold 'Em
It's important to learn how to throw the disc without hurting Howie. Pretend you are
holding a dinner plate upside down so
you don't drop it. That's the way you want to hold the disc. Place your
four fingers under the lip and extend your thumb over the disc. This is
significant because when you release the disc, you'll be following
through with your wrist, then hand, the arm, then shoulder and your
entire body.
It's All in How You Throw It
Your dog will follow the disc where
it lands. If you don't want Howie running all over the park and yard,
you have to make sure your throws are good and consistent. He's not
going to be able to know where to run until he sees the disc in the air.
Throwing the disc directly at your pup is a big no-no. Give him an
opportunity to see the disc in the air to know where he should chase it.
Make Sure Your Dog is Healthy
This type of play will be very
exciting for your dog because of his natural instinct to chase and stop
small moving objects. Make sure he's in shape to run, jump and possibly
fall, and his teeth and nails are in good condition. And by all means,
don't forget to periodically check in with him. This type of sport,
although fun, can leave marks and bruises. Since Howie cannot tell you
where it hurts, keep a regular eye on him during play.
