The Frisbee

[DantesMom929]

Dante (my boxer/husky mix) loves to run and jump constantly. For how much he loves to jump and run as fast as we can, we got him a frisbee. But everytime we throw it, he dosent realize to jump and catch it because hes had most of his toys as rolley toys, like wheels etc. but he will grab it once its hit the ground. Is there a good way to teach him how to actually run and jump after the frisbee before it hits the ground because he really just doesnt grasp that concept. Thanks!

 

[lizzybeth727]

Yes, dogs don't automatically know that a frisbee flies and they can catch it. Some learn faster than others, but your dog is certainly not strange for not catching the frisbee.

To teach him, you can start by holding the frisbee at mouth level, and letting him take it out of your hands. Make a big deal out of it if he does - praise, treats, etc. (You might want to squat, so that he learns when you're squatting he can take things from you, but if you're standing, it's yours.) Then, once he's good at taking it out of your hands, stand about 6 inches away from him, hold the frisbee the same way you've been holding it (mouth level, squatting), and gently toss it to him. If he doesn't catch it in the air, grab it off the ground before he does - we're trying to teach him here that he has to get it before it hits the ground, or he doesn't get it at all. If this doesn't work, you can even go back to handing it to him, but move it a few inches toward him (as if you tossed it, but your hand is still on it), and let him grab it that way. Again, make a huge deal every time he grabs the frisbee. Gradually move farther and farther from him (6", 12", 18", 24", 3', 5', etc.), making sure that he's catching it consistently before adding more distance. Once you start some distance, you might want to give treats or a toy whenever he catches it, as this will usually prompt him to come back to you with the frisbee.

It's also a good idea to get a soft frisbee, at least to start with. The cheap plastic ones tend to hurt their mouths, particularly at the begining before they know how to catch it comfortably. Soft ones are easy to find, petstores and I think Wal Mart all carry them.

Let us know how he does!

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

Does he catch at all? Such as food tossed to him? If not, that would a good thing, to teach him to catch. First food, and then a ball, or stuffies, and then work on short frisbee tosses. Once he has catch down close at hand, you can start teaching him to go short distances to catch it.

The other important thing in playing Frisbee is the retrieve. If your dog has not been trained to retrieve, that would be something to work on as well.

Here is how I teach the retrieve: http://www.chazhound.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31776&highlight=Retrieve

And here are a couple good links on Frisbee training.

http://www.dallasdogndisc.com/training/how_to_play_frisbee.asp

http://www.wikihow.com/Teach-a-Dog-How-to-Catch-a-Frisbee

 

[milos_mommy]

great thread, Milo LOVES Frisbees but doesn't catch them. i'm going to try some of these suggestions.

 

[DantesMom929]

Thanks sooo much!! That helps a lot and hearing the things about starting with a treat and slowly getting farther once he catches it really makes sense. I dont know why I didnt think of it, haha. Thanks bunches!

 

[pattysdaddy]

Patty, my Chocolate Lab was that way to. She loved to chase after the frisbee but would always let it hit the grown before picking it up. Now she catches it about 50% of the time now.

What worked for me was throwing it just a little bit ahead of her. Since I've been playing ultimate frisbee for the past 5 years my throws are fairly accurate so basically the dog would start running and I would throw it so it would fly past her but would be about a foot ahead of her. She had so much drive to catch it eventually she'd catch up to it and nab it in the air.

I also did some work where I'd hold it in the air, get her to jump and grab it from my hand with her mouth. It was a little counter productive though since every time I'd pick up the frisbee she's jump to get it so I had to get her to sit down, then throw it.