Is your dog a backyard disc superstar ready to take their skills to new heights? Or are you ready to step up your competition disc game with new strategies and skills? This class will immerse you into the depths of disc dog including throwing technique, safety, trick training, game strategy and flatwork. You will learn the general guidelines for each competition play style so you’ll be ready to hit the field with your flying canine.
Cross training in disc lends many advantages for the agility, obedience and even protection sport dog. Cross training between sports increases understanding of your canine both physiologically and mentally, as well as builds a well-rounded canine athlete. Handlers gain a better understanding of proper jump form, collection, and deceleration as well as building a healthier bond and deeper connection with their canine partners.
This class is appropriate for any physically fit canine that loves discs, content will be catered from novice to intermediate skill levels. Drive building will be covered but will not be the main focus of this class.
Registration
There are no scheduled sessions for this class at this time. We update our schedule frequently, so please
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Registration will begin at 11:00 AM Pacific Time.
For answers to commonly asked questions see our FAQ page.
If you are interested in a bronze level subscription, you can sign up at any time during the registration period.
Syllabus
Week One
1.Intro to disc
a.Equipment needed
i.Frisbee selection
ii.Jump
2.Throws
a.Backhand/roller (Novice)
3.Flatwork
a.Go around (novice/intermediate)
b.Drive building
i.Tugs/takes/multiple discs (novice)
ii.Drop games (intermediate)
4.Tricks
a.Dog Catch
Week Two
1.Throws
a.Vault throws (novice/intermediate)
2.Flatwork
a.Through
b.Rear cross on the flat
c.Leading the dog
3.Tricks
a.Stalls
Week Three
1.Throws
a.Side arm
2.Flatwork
a.Adding the disc/combining/cueing
b.Cuing the drop
3.Tricks
a.Adding disc to dog catch
Week Four
1.Throws
a.Thumber
2.Tricks
a.Flips
3.Drills
a.Zig-zags
b.Overs
Week Five
1.Throws
a.Overhand wrist flip
2.Tricks
a.Rebounds
b. Linear vault foundations
3.Drills
a.Pendulums
Week Six
1.Intro to disc
a.Your first competition (different games)
2.Throws
a.Push
3.Tricks
a.Flips
4.Drills
a.Around the worlds
Prerequisites & Supplies
Sample Lecture
Freestyle disc includes not only tricks but the ability to execute different flat work exercises. One of these is the zig-zag, three or more alternating catches in a zig-zag pattern. Zig-zags are popular because of the handler’s ability to showcase their dogs leaping ability. If you shorten up the pattern and place the discs in the right place at the right time, your dog will collect and leap for each catch. For most dogs, this is a relatively easy pattern to teach as long as your dog will drop the disc at a distance to catch another one.
Start with 2 or more discs (ideal number is 4 or more). Send your dog around for the first throw aiming for roughly the 2 o’clock position (if 12 was directly in front of you). As soon as your dog catches that disc, call the drop and throw another in the 10 o’clock position. Repeat for a total of 3-5 throws.
At the beginning, your throws may be a good distance apart from each other until your dog gets used to the exercise. You will eventually shorten up that distance, so there really is only 2-3 strides between where each throw is placed.
If you’re struggling getting your dog to understand where the next throw is going, think about the leading flat work you’ve worked on. You can lead your dog the right direction prior to throwing.
Go around --> throw at 2 --> lead counter-clockwise and call drop --> throw at 10 --> lead clockwise and call drop --> throw at 2 --> repeat. Don’t worry about having to lead for half a circle or even more than that, if you establish this pattern, the leading will be easy to fade.
Homework:
Teach the zig zag pattern to your dog using backhand throws.
Testimonials
Brand new course starting August 2016.
FDSA is excited to welcome new instructor Sara Brueske for the August 2016 session.
