Dogs take Frisbee to new levels

High-flying hounds perform acrobatic marvels during Disc Dog competitions.

By Brian Stensaas, Star Tribune

Last update: August 14, 2007 - 10:13 AM

Though the days are becoming shorter and heading back to school is on the minds of many, there's still ample time left this summer to head to the lake, get in a round of golf or toss a Frisbee with your best friends.

Especially if those friends happen to be dogs.

The Minnesota Disc Dog Club is winding down its season -- the club's final competition is Sept. 8 in Zumbro Falls, and it's planning a demonstration Sept. 29 in St. Louis Park -- so many dog owners are gearing up for the events by getting in some extra practice.

"Our dogs are into the simple stuff right now," said Cathy Whitney, of Plymouth. "They get so excited, it's hard for them to get focused on much more than biting the discs."

The secret to training a dog is repetition -- just doing it, over and over.

Whitney, husband Jeff Johnson, and dogs Zoe, Abby and Zac just got into competing this summer.

The concept of having fun throwing discs with your pet stretches back a long way -- since Frisbees were first sold in the 1960s. And that's the club's mission.

"The line we decided to go with is 'It's all about the dog,' " said Melissa LaMere, one of eight Minnesota Disc Dog Club board members. She competes with four dogs. "Big, small, pit bull, Rottweiler, Pomeranian, whatever," she said. "A happy, trained dog is a good dog."

The Minnesota Disc Dog Club competes generally from April through September.

In competitions governed by an organization called Sky Houndz, entrants perform in the distance and accuracy and freestyle categories. Both are fairly simple. Points are earned in distance and accuracy based on how far a handler throws a disc and where the dog catches it. Bonus points are awarded if the dog catches the disc with all four paws in the air.

In the freestyle event, competitors are given 90 seconds to do a routine choreographed to music. Entrants are scored on a 10-point PAWS scale, which stands for "Performance, Athleticism, Wow-factor and Success." Pretty much anything goes.

"It can get silly and goofy," said LaMere, who does a routine set to island music with one of her dogs while wearing a Hawaiian shirt. "But if you can get the crowd going, you really will do better."

Anyone who owns a dog and can throw a Frisbee can get into the sport, LaMere said. She suggested joining the club's website message board as a good way to get started. Or just come out to a competition. The club also has weekly "play date" training sessions at parks, and anyone is welcome.

"Having a little training is beneficial," she said. "But just come out and see what it's all about. Have a little fun with your dog."

Brian Stensaas • 612-673-4127 • bstensaas@startribune.com

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