The holiday season is a fantastic time to recharge. Beyond catching up on sleep and connecting with friends, I like to maintain a sense of routine for my dogs. While we might explore a new spot or enjoy some extra downtime together, this Thanksgiving weekend, I’m focusing on something a little different: leveling up my Frisbee skills with them!
The Joy and Complexity of Frisbee with Dogs
Playing Frisbee isn’t just a fun way to pass the time; it’s an excellent aerobic exercise for dogs. It also turns out to be far more technical than it seems.
When teaching my dogs, Deuce and Rio, to catch a Frisbee, I realized just how much coordination they need. Catching the disk repeatedly requires sharp eye coordination and the ability to gauge its speed and trajectory to snag it mid-air before it lands.
But it’s not just about the catch. Successful Frisbee dogs need athleticism to leap gracefully and, most importantly, land safely to avoid injuries. This aspect worries me the most since improper movements or landings can lead to sprains or worse. That’s why mastering the basics of this sport is crucial before encouraging high-flying catches.
Learning the Basics: For You and Your Dog
As the handler, your role is just as critical as your dog’s. Properly holding and throwing the Frisbee ensures your dog can track it easily and have ample opportunity to make the catch. I also aim to limit vertical jumps, even though they look impressive, because they increase the risk of injury.
When playing Frisbee, I stay mindful of these principles:
- Controlled Throws: Direct the disk so my dogs can chase it without excessive effort or dangerous jumps.
- Breaks Between Sprints: Dogs are sprinters, not long-distance runners, so I ensure they rest between throws.
- Body Positioning: I focus on pointing my shoulders toward the intended throw and bending my knees slightly, signaling to the dogs that a throw is imminent. This has improved their ability to anticipate and succeed in catching.
The Unique Bond Between Humans and Dogs
Dogs are incredible observers of human behavior. Through domestication, they’ve developed an uncanny ability to interpret our movements, postures, and even subtle cues in our tone of voice. While we teach them verbal commands and skills, they instinctively communicate with us in ways they would with other dogs, creating a unique two-way learning experience.
Meeting our dogs halfway in this shared communication is not just enriching but also fosters a deeper bond. Everything I do with my dogs is tailored to their happiness and safety. Whether it’s mastering Frisbee or just spending quality time together, the joy of engaging with them is one of the greatest rewards of having dogs in my life.
This Thanksgiving, I’m grateful for the chance to learn, play, and grow alongside my four-legged companions. 🐾