"When balls dream, they dream of being Frisbees," says Tom Wehrli,
one of only 17 inductees into the Ashley Whippet Hall of Fame, and a member of
Unified Frisbeedog Operations (UFO). Tennis balls are for pet owners. Real dog
people play Frisbee.
Wehrli argues that fetching a tennis ball is somehow different, and certainly
not as interesting, as returning with a plastic disc. In part, it's because
snatching a flying Frisbee is more fun for the dog and more challenging for the
person to throw. Also, he maintains cornering the Frisbee and making sure it
returns safely "home" is a particularly good exercise for herding
dogs. "Living in the city, most herding dogs don't have the chance to
herd," Wehrli says, "This is the next best thing."
Moreover, high-energy dogs and workaholic breeds, such as Border Collies,
Australian Shepherds and Australian Cattle Dogs, can wreak havoc on their
surroundings when they find themselves languishing indoors all day, every day,
when their people are at work. "They kind of go a little crazy and make up
their own jobs," says Wehrli, who repairs furniture for a living. He says
that whenever a person comes into his shop with a chewed table or chair leg he
asks, "So, how's your Border Collie?" The answer invariably is,
"How did you know I have a Border Collie?"
Wehrli says playing Frisbee just once at day for 15 minutes can, for some
dogs, be enough of an outlet to stave off destructive behavior. Employment as a
Frisbee chaser can save a dog from being relinquished to a shelter for trashing
the house.
While a regular job is required for intense herding breeds, Wehrli points out
that all dogs benefit from exercise. "When you participate in Frisbee, it's
not only fun, it enhances the bond you have with your dog," he says.
While it seems that herding breeds often naturally take to snaring the
Frisbee and then fetching it, most dogs can learn. They even make soft discs and
miniature discs (available at pet supply stores on online) for small breed dogs
and puppies.
Wehrli's competition dogs were all mixed breeds rescued from shelters.
Nuggets, who won the Illinois state championship in 1980, was a terrier Heinz
57. And Delta, who won many prestigious tournaments, was a Setter-Golden
Retriever mix. As a part of "rehabilitation" following rescue, all of
Wehrli's dogs are taught Frisbee games. But these days Wehrli, who lives in
Naperville, Illinois, no longer competes in the sport. He's an advisor for
younger participants and is the sport's goodwill ambassador.
He says begin teaching your pooch by turning the disc upside down, using it
as your dog's food dish. "Later, when you actually start to play, the dog
sees his food dish flying through the air. Of course he'll go after it."
First, teach the dog to return to you with the disc. Do this indoors first,
where you have more control. Sit on the floor and roll the disc just a few feet
down the hall. Encourage the pooch to follow the disc. Clap your hands and cheer
she does and then ask her to come back by calling her name. Wehrli says most
dogs come back, but the trick is to teach them to return with the disc. That may
take lots of lessons, depending on the dog.
For those dogs that want to run in the opposite direction with the disc,
mostly hoping you will chase them, don't give in. Tie a light line to your pup
and gently reel her in. Make it a game. "This is a fun sport, so the more
fun you have in training, the better," Wehrli says.
Once your dog has got the game down indoors, take it to the park. Keep your
pooch on a long, light line.
Wehrli says you can begin with a puppy of about any age. Just don't get fancy
with choreographed routines--and especially high jumps--until the dog has
finished growing.
Even Wehrli concedes that all dogs are individuals, and some just don't take
to the sport. For example, Ashley Whippet, the first flying disc chasing dog,
had a son named Winston that never caught a Frisbee in his life. "You'd
figure it would be in his genes, but it just wasn't," says Wehrli.
"You have to remember, all dogs are pets first, and we need to love them
for who are they are. And if they happen to be a Frisbee dog, you can have a
great time."
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