Teaching a dog to play frisbee

[GagBag]

We're going to adopt a boarder collie this weekend, and they seem best for playing frisbee with. anyone got some tips, theres probably sites dedicated to this sort of thing i was just wondering if anyone here has any experience in it.

 

[worth]

I say you throw the frisbee first.

 

[glen]

Buy 2 books.
Karen Pryor's "A Dog and Dolphin 2.0"
linkified

and
John Fishers's "Dogwise"
linkified

 

[Sluggo]

You must first consult an animal psychologist, and make sure that the animal WANTS to play frisbee with you.

 

[glen]

Good sites:

Genral BC info. and behavior tips
http://bcrescue.org/

Best BC org IMHO
http://www.bordercollie.org/

Main Frisbee Dog org
http://www.skyhoundz.com/

What the Dogs were originally bread to do
http://www.bordercollie.org/usbcha.html

 

[GagBag]

haha sluggo an animal psychologist eh?


i check out those books, thanks

 

[Raspewtin]

hey i have a border collie, and he loves to play frisbee. my experience is that you really don't need to teach at all. they do it on their own. my dog since i got him has been able to catch frisbees in the air, return them in mouth (he can't throw them yet ), catch at weird angles and such. just start small and get bigger. they are born athletes, you will be amazed. as they work up they can jump higher and higher. my dog can jump 6 and a half feet (almost 7 feet straight up now) in the air to catch a frisbee in midair. or even jump off my leg or back, bounce back and catch it, or even do a half flip and then catch it in air, etc. he learned this mostly on his own as we went. then take him/her sheepherding to really see how amazing border collies are. you wouldn't think that could be instinct, but they instantly now what to do. truely awesome dogs! very,very, very, very high energy dogs though. be prepared.

 

[GagBag]

neat, good thing we have a field behind our house. well its not really a field just a big open space along side a golf course. heh do you think it would mistake a golfcart for a sheep and try to herd that?

 

[glen]

The herding instinct is triggered by the size and movement of the creature, so a golf cart is unlikely, but children can trigger it.

 

[Raspewtin]

well my dog will attempt to herd up all the dogs at dog beach. sometimes herding thing can get you into trouble. they rarely attempt to herd motorized vehicles, though. herding is a hunting behavior, so like glen said it depends on the movement/size etc. they are very smart dogs (smartest breed, followed by poodle) and it can get you into real trouble sometimes (although its a benefit sometimes also). for example they quickly learn how to open doors (especailly if you have levers and not knobs), gates, cabinets etc. My dog even learned how to turn the hose on outside unfortuantely (and never bothered to learn to turn it off or cared to turn it off ) they also are prone to stress to please you sometimes (this is common across this breed), so never be forceful with this type of dog in discipline as it will backfire and the dog can literally get sick trying to please you.

 

[GagBag]

wow, sounds like a pretty complex dog. I assume they learn most this just by watching? considering how intellegent they're.

btw i really appreciate all the info, I guess I'll have to watch out for thier herding instinct the most though.

 

[worth]

It's easy to make him run and catch it, the hard part is making him bring it back to you ...

 

[Raspewtin]

<< I assume they learn most this just by watching? >>



i'm not sure, it could be that or could be experimentation. you'll come home one day and see what &quot;discoveries&quot; your dog has made such as the cabinet to the dog biscuits opened and the box myseriously missing



<< It's easy to make him run and catch it, the hard part is making him bring it back to you >>




haha no kidding. I eventually got a few frisbees to use at one session so the dog is busy enough that he won't get possessive.