We have two very talented disc dogs. Sonoma has demonstrated her skills in Frisbee competitions where we've swept 1st place enough times to earn the title of "sand-baggers" with the Disc Dogs of the Golden Gate organization.
You can see two videos from these competitions here and here.
We've really started to reduce the hours playing Frisbee, one, because we've taken such a big step into the world of agility, but also, two, due to us working later in the evenings and the dark arriving so early. Having said that, you'd think West would be a little less capable in the Frisbee realm, but he's got just as much ability as Sonoma! The main difference between the two is the work ethic; Sonoma runs out for the catch at 120% effort and sprints back to return the Fris at 130% effort. She truly understands that the faster she returns it to us, the faster she gets to go chase after another toss. Little West, however, will run out at 120% effort, and return at about 70% effort. He's more like "Hey... I got the Frisbee! Mmm Frisbee! Ooohh Daddy and Mommy want to play more..." where as Sonoma is like "Shit! Hurry! I just caught the frisbee - HURRY - it's been like 2 seconds and Mom and Dad don't have it yet! HURRY!! Crap, I can't run fast enough! Here! Take it! HURRY!!!! THROW IT!!!!" Her intensity level has yet to be matched by West.
You can see two videos from these competitions here and here.
We've really started to reduce the hours playing Frisbee, one, because we've taken such a big step into the world of agility, but also, two, due to us working later in the evenings and the dark arriving so early. Having said that, you'd think West would be a little less capable in the Frisbee realm, but he's got just as much ability as Sonoma! The main difference between the two is the work ethic; Sonoma runs out for the catch at 120% effort and sprints back to return the Fris at 130% effort. She truly understands that the faster she returns it to us, the faster she gets to go chase after another toss. Little West, however, will run out at 120% effort, and return at about 70% effort. He's more like "Hey... I got the Frisbee! Mmm Frisbee! Ooohh Daddy and Mommy want to play more..." where as Sonoma is like "Shit! Hurry! I just caught the frisbee - HURRY - it's been like 2 seconds and Mom and Dad don't have it yet! HURRY!! Crap, I can't run fast enough! Here! Take it! HURRY!!!! THROW IT!!!!" Her intensity level has yet to be matched by West.
See the intensity in her eye and scowl? No joking around. West certainly has the upper-hand when it comes to jumping, however. Check out the height Sonoma gets in the picture below - front feet way up, back feet on the ground. That's a "jump" in Frisbee for Sonoma...
He's got springs! He jumps probably about one and half times his height. This actually creates a concern for us right now because he's so young. Little puppy knees and growth plates are not fully developed until around a year old. Up until then, he risks injury by jumping so hard (muscles have to work hard to lift up a body!), and from landing from such a height (all while potentially twisting in the air). Another reason we aren't playing Frisbee as much is also because it's virtually impossible from keeping this little guy from jumping like a kangaroo. We opt for the ball fetch session more often.
Here are a few more pics from that outing (which was after our hike at a beach at the Golden Gate Recreational Area):
Now take West for example...
He's got springs! He jumps probably about one and half times his height. This actually creates a concern for us right now because he's so young. Little puppy knees and growth plates are not fully developed until around a year old. Up until then, he risks injury by jumping so hard (muscles have to work hard to lift up a body!), and from landing from such a height (all while potentially twisting in the air). Another reason we aren't playing Frisbee as much is also because it's virtually impossible from keeping this little guy from jumping like a kangaroo. We opt for the ball fetch session more often.
Here are a few more pics from that outing (which was after our hike at a beach at the Golden Gate Recreational Area):
"Here! Take it! HURRY!!!! THROW IT!!!!"
Red girls can't jump.
Boing! Oops, missed the 'bee, but still got to jump!
"Shh! I'm focused! HURRRRRRRY!!!!"
