Teaching dogs to catch a frisbee

[c0_re]

Hey everyone I have a two part question

Question #1
Harley and Molson both have retrieving(for play) down pat, now I want to move onto catching a frisbee. If anyone could point me to some info on how to train this it would be greatly appreciated.

Question #2
Looking for a dog frisbee that flies slowly and can be easily thrown(by me) and caught by the dogs, I've seen several models out there and was wondering if anyone had a favorite.

Thanks in advance

[GSD]

The flying squirrel by Chuck it is my favorite. I've had the same one for 4 years now. I don't allow tug games or them to chew on it on their own though and that helps.

I've never really trained it, they just do it. Start small, I guess first would be to let your dogs know it is an object they can put in their mouth and carry. Then I'd just tease one of them a bit, get them really excited for it and gently toss it to them. Make it easy and see what they do, they'll probably just snatch it. If they don't, then i'd come up with a training schedule. Do they catch food you throw?

[Shmee]

Another good question Core.....
Hmmm well.... We have lots of Frisbee fun in my home, unfortunately, neither of my 2 jacks will catch the frisbee when thrown to them, they prefer to scoop it up off the ground and carry it around for abit. Kaytee always brings it back looking for another toss, but Peety is known as the "game ender" and will sit and chew the frisbee up completely unless I deter him. (This is usually done with a 2nd tossed frisbee).

I do have an answer to your question of "What kind of Frisbee is best?" We've been using something called, "Ruff Dawg K-9 Flyer" it's a tough rubber disc, flexible and abit on the heavier side that will resist some heavy chewing and it wont hurt your pooch if he catches it square in the mouth. You can check it out at Ruff Toys from Ruff Dawg - they're THAT good.
It's a bit pricey, but it seems to be a sturdier option instead of the instant destructo brand varieties that my dogs are known to dessimate from the $1 store.

-Shmee

[c0_re]

Originally Posted by GSD

Do they catch food you throw?

Yep they've both been doing that forever, they seem to kinda jump back when I try and throw them somthing as large as a frisbee though. Like you said I think I need to just get them used to carrying it around and having it in their mouths.

I'll pick one up and start getting them used to it so they know they don't need to be afraid to catch it in their mouths.

I'm really hoping I can teach one of the dogs this game and the other will catch on just by watching, they seem to do this all the time.

I'd love for Harley to start catching(and speaking) before we go on our canoe trip at the end of the month this way we'll have one more game to play when we get sick of paddling.

[c0_re]

Originally Posted by Shmee

I do have an answer to your question of "What kind of Frisbee is best?" We've been using something called, "Ruff Dawg K-9 Flyer" it's a tough rubber disc, flexible and abit on the heavier side that will resist some heavy chewing and it wont hurt your pooch if he catches it square in the mouth. You can check it out at Ruff Toys from Ruff Dawg - they're THAT good.
It's a bit pricey, but it seems to be a sturdier option instead of the instant destructo brand varieties that my dogs are known to dessimate from the $1 store.

-Shmee

Thansk Shmee I think I'm going to get one of each of your and GDS's suggested frisbees along with one or 2 other designs(because their all drasticly different) to see which ones they like the best.

[GSD]

don't throw it at them really, but maybe get them moving forward for it in your hand, then you just kind of toss it up slightly, just so it leaves your hand so it goes up and slightly away. They're already moving towards it, and they want ti, that way nothing is flying "at them" that they need to move for.

[c0_re]

Originally Posted by GSD

don't throw it at them really, but maybe get them moving forward for it in your hand, then you just kind of toss it up slightly, just so it leaves your hand so it goes up and slightly away. They're already moving towards it, and they want ti, that way nothing is flying "at them" that they need to move for.

Yep I think that was the key mistake I was making as far as throwing it at them instead of in front of them.

The other good piece of advice I got off the web was to hold it just out their reach above their head to get them used to jumping up and getting it, but I'll move onto that once I can actually get them to catch it.

[GSD]

actually holding it just above their heads just out of reach to make them jump up for it could be done first. It gets them used to going after it to snatch it. Unless your dogs aren't used to snatching things from your hands. If they think that is a no no it might not work so a little toss might be easier.

[c0_re]

Originally Posted by GSD

actually holding it just above their heads just out of reach to make them jump up for it could be done first. It gets them used to going after it to snatch it. Unless your dogs aren't used to snatching things from your hands. If they think that is a no no it might not work so a little toss might be easier.

Your right I started working on this last night with Harley and he was having a good ol time jumping up and grabing a number of things out of my hands, I think this is probably a really good first step to teaching this game.

This is exciting I've never had a dog that could catch a frisbee and with all the outdoor stuff we do it's going to be really fun for both of us.