Category: Pets

Does your dog follow you everywhere you go? If your pup is always stuck to your side, you have what is commonly called a velcro dog. The name comes from the hook-and-loop fastener used to hold fabric together. These dogs always want to be with their people, and depending on the breed, they can be very protective. Although some people get annoyed with how needy velcro dogs are, this clingy behavior is natural and with some breeds, desirable.

Top 9 velcro dog breeds:

Any dog can display velcro dog behaviors, but there are dog breeds who have a solid reputation for their velcro tendencies. Here are the most affectionate dog breeds:

Affectionate dog behavior explained

Dogs breeds with a velcro personality were developed specifically to be close to their people. Some of these dogs were bred as companion dogs and attentive to people’s feelings; other breeds were created to work side-by-side with humans. For these dogs, clingy behavior is a breed-specific trait and is desirable. This is something to consider before getting a dog. If you want a more independent companion, these dogs are not the breed for you. A true velcro dog is confident and well socialized, but given the option, he’ll always choose to be close to you.

Our dog breeds section gives insight into finding the right dog for your lifestyle.

Velcro dogs and safety hazards

If your dog always wants to be with you, it’s wonderful, but it can also pose a safety issue. If you find yourself tripping over your dog who is literally underfoot, create a training plan to keep both you and your dog safe. Here’s how:

• Teach your dog to go to his bed or another designated area that is out of the way.
• Lure him there with a treat or toy.
• Then, reward your dog with praise and treats for being on his bed or designated spot.
• Repeat these steps until your dog can go to his bed on cue.

The goal is for your dog to see his bed as a rewarding place, so you won’t trip over him while you’re cooking or moving around your house.

The difference between velcro and anxiety behavior:

Velcro dog temperament is not the same as a dog having separation anxiety, insecurity or feeling uncomfortable on his own. Dogs with velcro dog syndrome prefer to spend time with their people, but they are also perfectly capable of being alone. Dogs with anxiety become distressed or uncomfortable when alone. For anxious dogs, connect with your veterinarian to see if there is an underlying medical issue. Work with a dog trainer who utilizes positive reinforcement techniques to help your dog learn new coping skills. Similarly, if your dog suddenly starts sticking to you like velcro and that isn’t his normal temperament, it could be an indication that he’s in pain or has some other underlying health condition.

If you notice a change in your dog’s temperament schedule an appointment with your veterinarian right away to determine if there is a medical cause for the behavior changes.

A relative newcomer to our shores, the Dogo Argentino embodies the kind of power, strength and courage that stops you in your tracks. Chew through these noteworthy facts about this impressive South American canine.

1. Where does the Dogo Argentino come from?

The Dogo Argentino is an Argentine breed of large mastiff-type bred in the early 20th century for dog fighting and for hunting large game such as wild boars, peccaries and pumas. He originated in the province of Cordoba, in the central region of the country.

2. Who first bred the Dogo Argentino?

The Dogo’s creator was Antonio Nores Martinez, a doctor from a family that put a high value on tradition. In 1928, Dr. Nores Martinez set out to realize his vision of developing a new dog breed that he named the Dogo Argentino. He began with the now extinct Old Fighting Dog of Cordoba. He admired this breed for its power, but wanted to enhance size and strength. Other breeds were added over generations, beginning with the Bull Terrier, then followed by Great Dane, Pointer, Boxer, Bulldog, Pyrenean Mastiff, Irish Wolfhound and Spanish Mastiff.

Dr. Nores Martinez selected for white coat color, and rejected any dog with an undershot (Bulldog) mouth and jaw. He worked tirelessly on this mission, and by the 12th generation, his dogs were breeding true. In 1947 he presented his breed to the Club de Cazadores (“hunters club”) of Buenos Aires along with a breed standard. It was a labor of love for the doctor brothers Nores Martinez (the late Antonio, and his successor, Agustin) but ultimately, their dream of developing a supreme canine hunter and athlete bore fruit.

3. When was the Dogo Argentino accepted into national breed clubs?

It took until 1973 for the Dogo to be accepted as the first and only Argentine breed by the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI), a world organization that recognizes the breeds that may compete in its global dog shows. The breed received full American Kennel Club recognition in January 2020.

4. What is the coat color of the Dogo Argentino?

The Doctors Nores Martinez envisioned an all-white dog, and the American Kennel Club breed standard abides by their strict directives. Of color, the AKC standard allows that the “only tolerable spots are one black or dark-colored patch on the skull but which can also be located on one ear or around one eye or very small dark spots on the ears … More than one spot on the head (with the exception of small spots on the ears) is a disqualification … A black spot anywhere other than on the head is a disqualification.”

5. What is the Dogo Argentino’s temperament like?

The Dogo is loving with family,  but a very dominant, protective breed when it comes to strangers and other dogs. Under “Character & Temperament,” the breed standard tells us that the Dogo is a “strong, tenacious and rustic dog that was created to protect family and property, as well as to hunt large game and destructive predators. He is a faithful companion at home and in the field. Of all the Dogo’s attributes, he is above all else, courageous.”

6. What is the Dogo Argentino height and weight?

The Dogo is a large-sized dog breed with a height of 24 to 26.5 inches at the shoulder and the weight going from 88 to 100 pounds.

7. How long does the Dogo Argentino live?

The life expectancy of the Dogo is 9 to 15 years.

8. How active is the Dogo?

High energy level. Adaptable, trainable and eager to please so obedience, agility and rally are all possible with a well-socialized Dogo.

9. Is the Dogo Agentino good for first-time owners?

Typically, no. This breed is much too strong and dominant for most situations.

10. Is the Dogo Aregentino a good family pet?

He can be. A good Dogo breeder who socializes the puppies from an early age, followed up by ongoing socialization in his new home is essential. If there are other pets in the home, give careful consideration to the dynamics involved; this is a dominant breed.

11. Is the Dogo a good apartment dog?

In most cases, no. This is an active, dominant breed with a high watchdog/protective nature.

12. How easy is it to train a Dogo?

High trainability. This breed is eager to please.

13. Is the Dogo given to excessive barking?

Medium to high barking level. Don’t get the Dogo Argentino if you are looking for  quiet dog.

14. Does the Dogo make a good traveler?

Typically, yes. Get him accustomed to car travel early. Crate training is essential for safe car travel, hotel and motel stays, overnight stays at the veterinarian, etc.

15. Is the Dogo easy to groom?

Yes. The Dogo Argentino has a medium to high shedding level, so occasional brushing reduces unwanted white hair left on furniture, floors and carpets. The breed has a smooth, short coat.

16. How popular is the Dogo Argentino?

This breed comes in as No. 88 in the American Kennel Club list of the most popular breeds in 2022, based on annual registrations. (There are 200 recognized breeds in all.)

17. Is there deafness in the Dogo Argentino breed?

Like the Dalmatian, the white Bull Terrier and the white Boxer, the Dogo may experience pigment-related deafness. There is the possibility of an approximate 10 percent deafness rate overall with some dogs afflicted unilaterally (deaf in one ear) and some bilaterally (deaf in both ears). Studies have shown that the incidence of deafness is drastically reduced when the only Dogos bred are those with bilaterally normal hearing. Insist on seeing the results of health testing for both parents and puppies if you are looking to add a Dogo to your home.

18. Are Dogo Argentinos included in breed bans?

The Dogo has a fighting-dog heritage. Coupled with his size, strength and natural dominance, this has resulted in bans or ownership restrictions in certain countries, including the Cayman Islands, Denmark, Norway, Fiji, Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Turkey. In the United Kingdom, under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, it is illegal to own a Dogo Argentino without lawful authority. In the USA, some cities may ban the breed, and there may be insurance company policies and housing restrictions that impact breed ownership.

Teaching your dog to shake is a classic dog trick that most dogs learn very quickly and will thrill your friends and family.

Watch our dog trainer’s video on teaching your dog to shake. (Natasha, email me before you post this article, so I can send you the link.)

Before your training session, gather your supplies:

• small pieces of treats your dog is excited about
• a clicker if you are clicker training
• an area with minimal distractions like a quiet room inside your home

Teach a dog to shake in 5 steps:

Step 1: Holding a treat in a closed fist out to your dog. Wait as your dog explores your hand sniffing, nuzzling and then eventually pawing at your hand trying to get the treat. When your dog paws at your hand, praise (click if you are clicker training) and give your dog the treat. This is the foundation for what will become the shake trick.

If your dog sniffs and licks at your hand while trying to get the treat, ignore this and be patient until she uses her paw.

Step 2: When your dog constantly paws at your hand to get the treat in your closed fist, start to introduce the verbal cue of choice like “shake” or “hello.”

Step 3: As your dog improves, phase out the treat in your hand. Hold out your empty fist to your dog and give your verbal cue for shake. When your dog places her paw on your hand, praise and give her a treat.

Step 4: When your dog is consistently offering the shake behavior with your empty fist, hold out an open hand and give her the verbal cue to shake. When your dog’s paw connects with your hand, praise, click and treat.

As you practice, hold your hand out to your dog at her chest level so it will be comfortable for her to reach and shake your hand.

Step 5: Start to add a few seconds of duration with your dog’s paw on your hand, and gently move your hand up and down in a hand-shaking motion. Be sure to praise and reward your dog with treats after she finishes the trick!

Next steps

The more familiar your dog gets, practice shaking in areas with distractions like while on a walk. Also try increasing the duration of shaking your dog’s paw. If your dog is social and enjoys interactions, shaking is a great trick that other people can cue for your dog. Just remember to praise and treat her after she shakes hands!

Rachel Phelps, MBA, MPA, Dip. PDT, Pet Product Expert

Rachel Phelps, “America’s Pet Parent,” is an award-winning writer, photographer and certified dog trainer. She manages the career of her internet celebrity dog Preston from PrestonSpeaks.com. She has three Westies, who think they are mini-humans, and a cat, who rule the house. Learn more at rachelphelps.com.

Stacy Nordstrom

Stacy Nordstrom is an award-winning freelance writer and technical editor who specializes in pet, music, and technology topics. Her articles have appeared in Catster, CAT FANCY, and Cats USA, among other publications. Stacy lives in Southern California with a sweet 12-year-old Cocker Spaniel/Labrador mix named Maggie and a 17-year-old gray shorthair cat named Mollie. You can find Stacy on Instagram at @stacy_m_nordstrom, where she posts pictures of her garden, sunsets, sailing adventures, and her pets being cute.

Teaching your dog to lie down is a practical cue because it leads to more advanced behaviors. When your dog can lie down on cue, he’ll be able to  stay on his bed or master tricks like rolling over or crawling. The sky’s the limit! Your pup will enjoy the training and your friends will be impressed.

How to teach your dog to lay down

Before you start training, follow these tips to set up your surroundings for a successful session:

• First, to set your dog up to succeed, exercise him before starting the training session. He needs to be tired enough that he will want to lie down.
• Gather his favorite dog treats. The reward should be something that your dog loves and will follow with his nose when you attempt to lure him.
• Start training in a room without distractions, not even his favorite dog buddy who may pounce on him in play.

How to teach your dog down: the lure method

1. Cue your dog to sit in front of you. If he doesn’t know that behavior, teach it to him first during a separate training session.
2. Hold a small piece of yummy treat in front of his nose. Slowly move the treat straight down towards the floor. When he follows the treat, mark the desired behavior with “yes” and give him the reward.

Dogster tip: Stay calm when marking the behavior. If you get too excited, chances are your dog will get up.

3. Repeat this several times. During each successive step, continue moving the treat closer to the ground. When successful, praise and reward.

Dogster tip: If your dog gets up, ensure you’re not moving the treat too quickly, causing the behavior. Start again.

4. If your dog hunches up instead of lying down flat, slightly move the treat away from him after the treat reaches the ground. It should look like an “L” motion.
5. When your dog lies down flat, with his elbows and hocks on the ground, praise and reward.

Dogster tip: Place the treat reward on the ground just between your dog’s paws. This keep her lying down.

6. Repeat these steps a few times, always praising and rewarding your pup when she lies down on the ground.
7. As you lure your dog from the sit position, add the cue “down.” Praise and treat when she lies down, elbows on the ground. Perform this a few times.
8. Fade the treat lure after your dog understands what’s expected. Still use the hand motion but have the treat hidden in your other hand behind your back. Mark the behavior and treat when she lies down.
9. After your pup successfully lies down without the treat lure, fade the hand motion. Then use the verbal cue only. Mix it up after your dog understands what’s expected. Sometimes use the verbal cue and hand signal. Other times, use just the verbal cue or the hand signal.
10. Use a random reinforcement schedule. After your pup understands what you expect, treat less frequently. Do this slowly. You still want your pup to be motivated. And don’t forget the praise.

Teaching this trick will often take more than one training session. Don’t rush the process. It’s most important that your dog understands what’s expected before moving on.

What if my dog won’t lie down?

Don’t panic! Try luring your dog to go under something as if there were a bridge and he’s doing a limbo under it.

1. Sit on the floor and bend your knee as if it were a bridge. Alternatively, lure your dog under a table or chair rung, as long as the piece of furniture is stable and won’t move, which could startle a dog.
2. Then, follow the steps above, luring your dog with a yummy treat under the “bridge.” Always praise and reward when she lies down.
3. Eventually, fade the bridge and the treat lure.

If your dog won’t lure down, don’t despair. When you return from a walk or after a play session, have treats handy and wait for your dog to lie down.

Start calmly rewarding the behavior. Behavior that’s rewarded will repeat itself. Then you can start adding a “down” cue when she lies down. Mark and reward the behavior.

Next steps for teaching your dog down

After your dog lies down on your cue, start adding distractions. Have someone walk in the room at a distance. Perform the trick in different locations, on different surfaces and at different times of day. Up the distraction ante as your dog can handle it. The goal is for your pup to generalize the behavior in other settings.

Teaching your dog how to lie down on cue is a very useful behavior if you want to take your pup in public settings, especially with other dogs. Think of all the fun you’ll have together taking the show on the road!

Stopping the excessive barking is the key, not to stop the bark entirely. Barking is a completely normal behavior for dogs, and they bark for many different reasons: alarm, boredom, excitement, frustration, demand, play, stress. You have coping skills and strategies for your emotions: Your dog needs some, too.

First, figure out context. Does he bark when deliveries come?  When you leave for work? At the neighbor’s dogs? Knowing what your dog is attempting to communicate with his barking is half the battle. With time, patience and consistency ballistic barking will be a thing of the past.

How to stop your dog from barking

Once you figure out why he’s barking excessively, take these steps to help him adjust the behavior:

1. Manage the environment

• The best time to stop a behavior is before it starts!
• Set your dog up for success and minimize (ideally eliminate) repeated opportunities to get his bark on.
• Remove your dog from the situation.
• If you can’t remove him, manipulate the environment to soften the effects of the trigger, or distract him from it.

2. Train a positive interrupt

• Train the cue during down time to use when he is
• Say “Quiet please” or “Thank you,” and when he looks at you, immediately give a high value or favorite treat.
• Practice often so it’s second nature for him to stop and look to you when barking starts and you give the cue.

3. Train an alternative behavior

• Train touch, find it or go to mat/place so he has something to focus on other than barking. Here are our trainer’s tips on teaching basic cues.
• Once you have your dog’s attention, cue the behavior and have at it!

Bonus tip: Reinforce the quiet. The instant he’s quiet mid-barkfest, mark and treat. Repeat.

How to train dogs not to bark at other dogs

This is a bit tougher. Context, again, is crucial. Is he on leash? In your yard? In your car? Barking is very self-reinforcing, meaning he’s reinforcing himself by barking since he probably likes it! So, setting up your dog for success is critical.

Start here:

1. Manage the environment

• Put up a privacy fence.
• Coordinate with neighbors to alternate dog outings .
• Only let him out when it’s neighbor-dog free. Caveat: The one time you don’t check, the neighbor dog is out and barkfest starts, then you’ll have to start all over.

This dog training video gives some helpful tips on stopping your dog from barking at other dogs:

2. Desensitize/countercondition

• Leash your dog in your yard.
• Feed high value treats in the situation without the trigger (i.e. no other dogs present).
• Slowly approach fence on leash, still treating if your dog is calm. If not, go back to last point of calm and practice there a bit longer.
• Slowly decrease distance as long as he’s calm when the neighbor dogs are out.

This video has helpful tips for desensitizing your dog from a noisy environment:

Should I use a bark collar to train my dog to stop barking?

No. The allure of instant relief from your dog’s vocalizations might be tempting, but these collars focus on punishment, and not only can they make things worse, but they end up creating unintended associations and fear.

Instead, add more exercise and stimulation to your dog’s day. Fulfilling your dog’s physical and mental needs helps alleviate most behavior issues; it’s an ideal pairing with any dog training.  Also, the longer a dog performs a behavior, the harder it is to change it. Act now so you don’t end up with a serial barker on your hands.

One could say that Ona, a punky 12-year-old Yorkshire Terrier, has enjoyed a pretty bright and breezy lifestyle over the years soaking up the sun in Southern California. Lots of beach days, a comfy warm bed and a big pile of plush toys. What more could she want? Well, as it turns out, she wants to run!

Nearly 50 races and counting

Weighing in at just 6 pounds and standing a mere 6 inches from the ground, Ona is a seasoned long-distance racer. In the last six years, she’s completed nearly 50, 5k runs with an average pace just over an 8-minute mile. As the adage goes, “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.” This dog can run!

“I started hiking with Ona after she turned 3 and she loved it,” says Ona’s dad, California Highway Patrolman Jeff Jones. “She always had so much energy.”

As an experienced long-distance runner himself, Jeff decided to sign both of them up for their first race together at the Homeward Bound 5k run in 2016.

“We had already done several long hikes in the past but I didn’t know how she would do running long distance.”

When they reached the halfway mark, Jeff tells me he stopped and offered Ona a quick water break. “She refused and just wanted to keep running,” he added. “People were shouting ‘that dog deserves a medal’ as we ran by.”

Soon after, the duo signed up for several more races and thus Ona’s running journey began. “Even during the pandemic we did 19 virtual races,” said Jeff. “Nothing was going to stop Ona from running!”

Breaking records

Last December, I joined them one early morning for their 41st race at the Christmas-themed Santa Claus for a Cause 5k run. Decked out in a warm Christmas neck gaiter dawned with little green doggie bones and striped candy canes, Ona looked up at her dad among the crowd of runners towering above her. With a few wags of her tiny tail, she signaled she was ready to go.

At the sound of the buzzer, Ona sprinted out of the starting gate tugging on her leash with all her might, keeping her head forward and focused on the path ahead. “She loves to run out in front of me, so I’m really just chasing her the whole time,” says Jeff.

A determined Ona charged along, unfazed by the cheering spectators or other dogs along her path. “She’s just so razor focused when she runs,” Jeff proudly tells me.

They crossed the finish line not only breaking their all-time record at 24 minutes and 45 seconds, but also making the podium with a first place title in Jeff’s age category. “The older she gets the faster she runs,” Jeff whispered in my ear as they received their honorable medals.

There is a small wooden rack on Jeff’s bedroom wall displaying 45 ribboned medals: An homage to their running adventures together over the years.

“We will need a bigger rack soon,” Jeff tells me with a chuckle.

Bringing a new puppy home is exciting for you, but can be stressful for an older dog. Be thoughtful about your dogs’ interactions. In the past, the general advice was to introduce new puppies to older dogs in the home right away. Now we know that isn’t always the best approach.

How to introduce a puppy to an older dog: Follow these 5 steps

Step 1: Create space 

Giving puppies and older dogs their own space before introducing them encourages positive interactions in the future. There’s no reason to rush greetings and interactions between dogs; it’s oftentimes helpful to keep dogs and puppies separated for a few days or even weeks. Using baby gates, closed doors, crates and other dividers in the home creates space and lets them get used to the sound, sight and scent of the other dog without directly having to interact. Then, interactions are more relaxed and stress-free, which fosters better ongoing relationships between them.

Step 2: Introduce neutrally 

Depending on your dog’s temperament, the introduction may happen on your puppy’s first day home, or if you have a senior dog or a dog who has other health or behavioral issues you may want to wait days, or even weeks before directly introducing them. The goal is to allow them to have adjusted to the presence of the other dog before they interact. We want those initial introductions to happen in neutral spaces outside your house or yard. This helps reduce the likelihood of stress or conflict. Start by taking your dog and puppy on parallel walks where one person has one dog on a leash and someone else has the other dog on a leash to help everyone get used to being close. Once your dog and puppy have met in a neutral area, and  if that meeting went well, start to slowly allow them to spend time together in the house and yard.

Step 3: Watch for signs of stress 

Once you’ve introduced your dog and puppy, monitor the interactions. Watch the body language from your dog and puppy closely for any signs of stress or discomfort.

Tips to reduce stress between dogs:

• Before letting dogs interact, remove high value items like food, chews and toys from the area, especially if you know your older dog might have resource guarding tendencies.
• If interactions seem tense, or the dogs become agitated, separate the dogs right away to give them a break.
• Keep your dogs separated for a while to allow them to just acclimate to the scent of the other dog.

Step 4: Manage interactions

If you can’t monitor your puppy and dog while they are together, keep them separated. Even if the interactions are going well, continue to manage their playtime and engagement. Don’t allow your puppy to bother or harass your older dog. This is especially important when your older dog is sleeping and eating. We never want older dogs to be put in a position where they feel like they need to correct or “tell off” the puppy. Intervene on your older dog’s behalf and redirect an overly enthusiastic puppy; teach the puppy appropriate ways to interact.

Step 5: Go slowly

It’s tempting to rush the introduction process or encourage them to spend lots of time together right away, but a better approach is allowing your dog and puppy to learn about each other slowly and intentionally. This will help build trust. Make sure they have their own private spaces to retreat like a crate, bed or a designated area of the house, such as a dog room, that the other dog can’t access. The goal is neutral engagement and that can take time. Long-term management strategies like baby gates create a less-stressful house when interactions are tense.

Puppy and older dog: Tips for success

If your older dog has health conditions, behavioral issues like reactivity, or is a senior with age-related conditions like arthritis, be especially thoughtful about how you introduce your puppy and monitor interactions. You may want to keep your puppy separate most of the time. Consult with a dog trainer who utilizes positive reinforcement methods if you have questions. A dog trainer helps you to manage introductions and creates a training plan for future issues.

The popular canine sport of disc dog requires a human and canine to work as a team. The dog relies on the human for accurate throws of a flying disc and the human relies on the dog’s athleticism to catch each throw.

Maryland dog trainer Gabby Scott competes in disc dog events. However, the initial reasons as to why she started training for the event was just happenstance. “I arrived early for a dog-training class I was attending with my Aussie-mix eight years ago,” says Gabby. “The instructor was practicing tricks with another trainer between classes. It was so cool to see dogs working so enthusiastically. They were happy just to catch a disc.”

Best dogs for disc dog

Gabby says most dog lovers get into disc dog because they have a dog that wants to play fetch and be active partners with their humans. Her Aussie-mix, Gus, preferred swimming and hiking to fetching, so she sought out a second dog with the drive to play along and she found Taco, a Miniature American Shepherd. “I asked for a puppy who had no fear and always had a toy in his mouth, and that’s what I got,” she says.

Taco’s breed is one of the more popular breeds currently in the sport. As is common in most dog sports, herding breeds lead the pack in popularity, as well as mixed breeds. Gabby says dog breeds you typically see are:

However,  you can also find:

“You dog doesn’t need to be registered with any kennel club to play, they just need to love frisbees,” she explains.

Training for disc dog

You might believe the most important factor for a disc dog is chasing and catching the flying disc, but Gabby emphasizes that owners should really focus on engagement with their dogs in this sport. “The dog’s knowledge that the game is only fun when they play it with you, their owner, trumps the desire to have the disc,” she says.

Creating this desire can be easy, according to Gabby. First and foremost, she recommends making playtime with the disc a rare thing. “Never leave discs around the yard or in the house,” she says. “Keep discs out of sight until it’s play time. Then, keep play sessions exciting and very upbeat, and keep them extremely short.”

Disc dog is about having fun with your dog playing his favorite game. Teach basic cues of the game using a dog-safe soft fabric or plastic pup-size disc. Teach your pup to do the following with the disc:

Short as in one to three minutes at a time. The first sessions can be practicing tugging with one disc, while making a big fuss about the fun, then switch to another disc, and so on. This builds the desire to tug and play, while also learning the cues to drop the toy and switch to another. Practice short tosses as you begin, and then work your way up to more difficult maneuvers and longer throws. As always, make sure you practice proper warmup and cooldown routines to keep your dog’s muscles and body in shape for the chase.

Don’t use a flimsy, plastic disc for disc dog as it can shatter easily, possibly hurting your dog. Instead use a dog-friendly disc like the Superhero 235 from Hero Disc USA, made from durable, flexible, puncture and bite-resistant plastic. $16.99.

Gear for disc dog

You don’t need any fancy gear in disc dog. In fact, everything you need can be carried in a small, drawstring bag to the local park. Gabby stresses not using plastic discs, as these can shatter easily. Instead, she recommends dog-safe discs like the ones made by Hero Disc USA.

How to compete in disc dog

The easiest way to get started in competing in Disc Dog events is to find a Toss and Fetch League near you. In this event, dogs get 60 seconds to make as many successful catches as they can, with bonus points awarded for catches made in the air. The leagues meet once a week for five weeks each “season” and compete against other leagues around the world.

The AKC now offers disc dog while partnering with the UpDog Challenge. This event offers a variety of challenges and ways to create teams while earning performance titles for your mixed breed or AKC-registered dog.