This is intended for those of you out there who want to develop a freestyle routine but are not quite sure how to go about it. The following is information and some ideas on how to get started with canine flying disc freestyle play.
So, there you are with your dog, thinking just how cool it would be to do some of those freestyle tricks that you saw some other dog & disc teams do. The only problem is, you’re not quite sure where to begin. Here’s a few ideas you might want to use to get started playing with your dog with some freestyle tricks.
The building blocks of a routine - In order to start working on a routine, you might want to use a “building block” method of putting together a series of tricks within a sequence, which is basically what a routine boils down to. You can use this method to add or drop a trick within a set sequence of tricks.
The first thing to do is to develop your throwing skills minus your dog at first. This will give you an opportunity to work on variations of throws and deliveries without any distractions. The next step is to work with the current strengths of your dog, meaning work with what your dog can naturally do and any preferences or tendencies they have shown in practice. This will give you a reference point from which to start. For example, if your dog is a great leaper, you can use back-flips, jumps or short throws to accentuate their ability in this area. You can also use what is referred to as a “fly-out” series. This is where you throw a series of nice floating throws to your dog. As they are making their first catch, throw another floater just a little bit higher near the location of your first throw, this will give your dog the opportunity to make a nice series of sequential jumping catches as they run to the next disc. You can also accentuate your dog’s leaping ability by performing what is termed “leg-overs”, where the dog is jumping over your leg as you are either kneeling with one leg stretched out or standing with one leg lifted out facing the approaching direction of the dog. You may also want to use a two-handed throw to develop an “over the shoulder” over as your dog jumps over your shoulder and arm as they approach you to catch the disc.
These are just some of the tricks that might be useful in order to showcase your dog’s leaping ability; however, you should always try to focus on your dog’s strong points when mapping out a Freestyle routine. It is also important to experiment with different types of trick throws to your dog. This will give you an opportunity to expand your repertoire, and you can always develop unique tricks just by getting out with your dog and trying something new.
How video can help the Frisbee dog become a star - Watching other teams perform canine Freestyle in person or on video tape is another good way to get the creative process going. By watching other teams perform in person or on video tape, you can get an idea for a variation on a trick that you might want to try with your own dog. The biggest challenge is being creative and being able to come up with something innovative.
Have someone video tape your current routine to help you evaluate what your routine looks like from an outside perspective. You can use the video to see what tricks worked and what ones did not. Use the videotape to see if you should change the sequence of any tricks because this could improve the way that the routine fits together.
The next step to take with the building blocks of your routine is to outline the routine with pencil and paper. Develop the sequence of tricks you will perform while allowing to set up for your next series of tricks. While you are writing your routine down, consider the amount of time you will be allowed to perform your routine, which will be determined by either the competition format that you are participating in or the time allotment for your demonstration. Typically, most routines do not exceed two minutes.
The number of throws and catches that you have in your routine is normally dependent on the pace of the routine, or how fast a tempo you set with your dog in performing the routine. Obviously, the faster the pace, the more opportunity there is for a dog & disc team to have more throws and catches. Your preferences combined with you and your dog’s ability are the two most important limits to the tempo to which you decide to perform. Your music selection is another factor in how your pace may be determined. Most dog & disc teams tend to use Pop/ Top 40 style music, which generally speaking, has what is considered a medium tempo. As far as music selection goes, use something that you can enjoy and have fun with, but remember that your music will be played in public, so use discretion and good common sense when making your selection.
The next step in building a Freestyle routine is walking through the routine without your dog. Just as when you practiced throwing at first without your dog, you might want to consider giving your dog a break while you walk through your routine for the first time. That way, you will be able to focus more on your sequence of tricks and get the order of execution down. You can also use this step to develop your throws for the routine.
After you have the routine cemented in your brain, it is time to walk through it with your dog. This will give you the opportunity to actually execute the routine with the dog and develop your timing on certain trick throws and catches with your dog. Once you and your dog become familiar with the sequence of your routine, practice it at regular speed to put it all together. This will give you a chance to get a feel for the routine.
Next, practice with your music. This way, you will know where you are in your routine in relation to the music. After putting the music in and practicing, have a friend or someone time you for your routine. This will enable you to see if you have too many or too few tricks in your routine for the required amount of time.
Most canine Freestyle events in competition allow the use of several discs at a time. What you can do is put together a series of tricks utilizing all of the discs except one, while saving the last disc for what I term as a “throw –out” disc. This allows you to gather your previously used discs and set up for your next sequence of tricks without distracting from the flow of the routine. While everybody is watching your dog catch the last disc, you will be setting up for your next run of tricks. As an example, you could do a multiple toss/ catch and back– flip series with all but one disc. As the last disc is caught by your dog and your dog has safely landed, you can send your dog out for a short toss with the last discs you can collect your remaining discs to set up for your next series. Using “throw-out” discs in such a manner as to allow for an easy set up of your next series of tricks is referred to as “disc management”. Good disc management will help you from running helter-skelter all over the field picking up discs and looking like you are making your routine up as you go. This may not always apply to a particular series that you create, but more often than not it’s a good method of starting, developing and maintaining some order to your routine.
Showmanship: “Adding a little pizzazz” - When you are performing your Freestyle routine, you want to do it with a little pizzazz. This can involve the use of dog tricks at the start of your routine, better known as a “pre-routine”. This can run the gamut from a simple sit-stay to a rollover, or having the dog weave between your legs as you walk or run. There are an infinite number of possibilities that you can use for a pre-routine. However, when you do a pre-routine, try not to let it run anymore than several seconds, as long pre-routines normally tend to diminish their effectiveness. This also relates back to your music selection too. Music with a slow opening tends to take away from the desired effect.
Other aspects of showmanship can include how you collect and handle your discs between tricks, having your dog run under your legs or around you for the next series of tricks or performing some other type of dog trick. Again, the possibilities are only limited by your imagination and creativity. Another good idea is to have a definite beginning and end to your routine. By starting off on a good trick, you will get everybody really interested in your routine. Don’t forget to smile a little while you’re out there too, after all, you are getting to play Frisbee® with your best pal! Another good thing is to have a good finish. End your routine on a high note with another good trick or one that’s very successful. Don’t forget to thank your audience when you finish as you recall your dog and head for the sidelines. By getting out there and putting on a good show, you and your dog will look good and have a great time together!
Cooling down after your routine: ”Re-entry” - After coming off the field after your routine, don’t forget to praise your dog for their effort. After all, they’re the reason why we’re out there to begin with, right? Make sure your dog gets to do a little “cool-down” walk as you both make your way back to their kennel. This will help to keep them from having any physical problems, not to mention the stress of going from one extreme of all-out competition to a screeching halt of low activity/inactivity.
This is also a good time to reflect on what aspects of your routine in your opinion worked and what didn’t work. If a friend or someone videotaped your routine, you can always take a look at it and see for yourself how you did. This will help you think of what you can do to improve or modify your routine as necessary for future events.
I hope the concepts that were discussed above will help you put together a more effective routine; however, the most important thing to remember while playing Frisbee® with your dog is to have fun and enjoy yourself!
