A flat, curved piece of orange plastic cutting through the air at a neighborhood park is as natural as ice- cold lemonade on a scorching summer day.
Just as natural is watching an eager canine leaping to catch the disc between slobbery jaws before returning it to its owner.
Since 1974, when the sport of Frisbee dog began, more than 24 clubs in 18 states have formed for disc-dog competitors.
Frisbee dog continues to attract fans. The Colorado Disc Dog club hopes its Colorado Canine Challenge on Aug. 13-14 in Littleton draws more teams than last year’s gathering, in which 85 teams from nine states competed.
While herding breeds such as Australian shepherds and border collies are classic disc dogs, any type, including good-old mutts, can chase down the gliding, twirling, flipping prey with precision. For pooches who might not weigh even 7 pounds, miniature, 7-inch Frisbees are available.
Whether your pet makes deep woofs, high-pitched yaps or feisty bowwows, all that barking might be because the pooch just wants a bite of Frisbee.
Here’s how to train Rover for the novice division at the Colorado Canine Challenge:
Study your pet. If your dog munches on couch legs, opens cabinet doors, clears the backyard fence in a single bound or yanks at leashes for a chance to sprint, you could be the owner of a future Frisbee champ.
Replace that high-priced ceramic dog food bowl. Let Rover learn to eat from the flat plastic Frisbee to get familiar with the disc.
Teach your dog to fetch. If you release a Frisbee and your dog takes off like a rocket, you’ve got a disc dog in the making. Now all you have to do is teach the pup to bring the disc back.
Practice your throw. To be in the novice throw-and-catch game, you must be able to throw a disc up to 50 meters as many times as possible in 60 seconds. Don’t forget the 10-foot half-circle 35 meters down the field. If Benji puts a paw in the bonus landing while catching the Frisbee, it’s an extra point.
Here’s how to prepare your dog for the big leagues:
Crank up the tunes. Whether its LeAnn Rimes, Aerosmith or 50 Cent, your team is going to need a tune to dance and catch discs to.
Buy a protective vest. When a dog vaults off your back to grab a disc tossed over the head, those claws can dig deep.
– Joan Gandy
Ready to leap in?
What: Colorado Canine Challenge, including a UFO Major Tournament with novice, intermediate and open divisions and a Quadruped.
When: Aug. 13-14. Registration begins at 8 a.m., and competition begins at 9 a.m. both days.
Where: Cornerstone Park in Littleton.
Cost: Free to watch. Novice, intermediate and open divisions cost $10, $15 and $20. There is a $10 fee to participate in the Quadruped.
Website: coloradodiscdogs.com.
