| Getting Started *The first thing you need is a dog. If you don't have one yet the most reliable way to find one is to visit your local shelter or humane society. The local shelter will allow you to take the dog out and see how it responds to you--and a disc. *Introduce the disc to the dog. Try sliding it around on the ground in front of the dog, or feeding from it. *Start throwing by rolling the disc. Put the dog at your right side to sit. Roll the disc in front of the dog and encourage retrieval. Do this a few times to get the dog familiar with a moving disc. *Short tosses in front of the dog. Put the dog at your right side in a sit. Toss the disc 12" to 18" in front of the dog, NOT at him. Encourage catching the disc, and when the dog is successful, praise him like crazy. Repeat until the dog is catches 75 percent of the time and then increase the distance of toss by a foot or two. *You're almost ready to go long. Continue to increase the distance of the throw. Remember, the better the throw, the better the chance for the dog to make a successful catch. So if you're an inexperienced disc thrower, practice throwing without the dog. With lots of PATIENCE, PRAISE, PRACTICE and FUN, you can have your dog playing in a matter of weeks. |
