Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see for myself what the club has to offer before I decide to join?
Bring your dog and join us down at the park for some family fun at one of our many Clinics or local competitions. We hold Clinics at various locations as a way to encourage newcomers to come out and see what this great sport and our club is all about. Keep an eye on our Clinics web page to find out where and when the next Clinic will be take place. Our Calendar web page is also a good source of information for knowing when the local competitions will occur.
What exactly is a Clinic?
Clinics are the canine equivalent of a classroom where we conduct training seminars, practice throwing techniques, hold mock competitions and swap training tips and technical information. Our training method is that we don't necessarily train your dog for you, but we teach you how to train your dog. Clinics are always free to anyone and you don't need to be a member of the club to participate at any Clinic. So pack up the family and your furry friends and come out and meet the gang. Your dog will thank you for it.
What basic necessities should I bring to a Clinic or event?
Generally bring chairs, beverages, water for the pups, something to pick up after the dogs with and some sort of shade if you have that available. A basic first aid kit is also advisable to keep on hand. We ask as common courtesy to everyone that your dog remain leashed, crated, x-penned or somehow secured at all times unless you are actually training, playing or competing with your pup.
My dog has cut his tongue. What can I do to stop the bleeding?
Your dog's health and well being has top priority so stop your activity immediately and offer your dog water or ice. Under normal conditions, this will stop the bleeding rather quickly.
I understand that the club collects annual dues. What are these funds used for?
In order to hold Clinics, competitions and demonstrations, we must carry an insurance policy that will cover any liability that could possibly occur. Your annual dues pay for this coverage.
What breeds of dogs are best suited for canine disc sports?
It is no secret that the herding breeds do very well at this type of activity, but any dog with the right combination of athleticism, behavior, temperament and prey/play drive can be a potential canine disc all-star.
What physical and age limitations should I observe when training a disc dog?
As a general guideline, dogs exceeding 50 pounds, pups under 18 months and dogs in their senior years are at risk of injury if they are subjected to the more strenuous Freestyle aspects of this sport. The training of young dogs should be accomplished at a modest pace so that they can develop their physical skills. Be careful not to over exert your dog beyond their capabilities. Exercise common sense and keep your dogs safety as your number one priority.
What type of discs are commonly used in this sport?
The disc most commonly used at the majority of disc dog events is the Wham-O Frisbee® Fastback though the Hyperflite K-10 is also gaining popularity. These discs are constructed of a soft plastic material that is safe for your dog's teeth and gums. Some other pet safe discs are the Aerobie Superdisc and the Ruff Dawg K-9 Flyer. It is highly recommended that you stay away from the $0.99 cent hard plastic discs found at the large pet stores because they are not safe for your pets.
Does the club offer merchandise for sale?
We try to keep a small stock of club t-shirts, hats and discs on hand. Sometimes special items come along that require a pre-order. All merchandise is sold to club members at a discounted rate from that which is sold to the general public. All profits made are used for current and future club events.
What are the different divisions of competition at disc dog events?
There are many competitive disc dog organizations with varied divisions. The three most common are Mini-distance, Long-distance and Freestyle. Mini-distance is also called Toss & Fetch or Fetch & Catch depending on the organization. This division has a time limit that is usually 60 seconds and the main objective is to have your dog catch as many discs as possible before time is called. Also, the greater the distance traveled by the dog with a successful catch, the more points that will be earned, with the greatest points earning distance usually being 40 yards. Long-distance is a variation of Mini-distance except that the throws and catches average approximately 60-80 yards in length. Some Long-distance events have a time limit and some do not. Freestyle is a timed division that averages 90 seconds to 2 minutes. Competitive teams perform a choreographed routine exhibiting many different types of throws and varying styles of acrobatic tricks in sync with music. Freestyle is a great way to show off your own personal style of interpretive canine disc sports.
What if I decide not to compete in disc dog events?
Entering competitions is not a requirement and your level of participation is always up to you. Some of our members never compete and just enjoy the social interaction and camaraderie of people with the same interest. The club also sponsors social activities away from the field.
Will I have the opportunity to participate in club demonstrations?
All members have the opportunity to participate in free demos. These types of demos are usually scheduled in conjunction with pet related fund raisers and are a great outlet to help the novice teams to become more comfortable performing in front of a crowd of people. The club is also involved with professional or paid demos for which the funds generated from these types of demos are used for other club functions, competitions and activities (such as our holiday party). To qualify for the professional demos, one must have achieved a certain level of experience. A good gauge for this level is how far up the ladder your team has finished at a regional or national event.
Will I have the opportunity to help run the club?
Participation at any level is highly encouraged. We hold an annual election to establish a board of directors which currently serves for two years. The club also has sub-committees for various functions such as demos, fund raising and promotional purposes. Even if you are not currently part of the decision making, suggestions are always appreciated.
For training information, please refer to our Training web page