Wednesday, August 29, 2007

High Flyin' K9's > Issue Five > September 2007

From The Editor:
Well the summer of 2007 certainly has been a busy one with a record number of disc trials being held across the province. We've seen Skyhoundz trials, USDDN trials, CDDA trials, and SODH club trials. The sport of disc dog has grown in leaps and bounds in the past year. And as fall rolls around Canadian disc competitors are gearing up for two of the biggest competitions available > the Hyperflite/Skyhoundz World Disc Dog Championships in Atlanta, Georgia; and the USDDN National Disc Dog Championships in Louisville, Kentucky. Competitors from Ontario have qualified for both of these prestigious competitions.

Good Luck to all who will be competing in those events.

Happy Discn'
Jackie

Congratulations to the first
Official Canadian National Disc Dog Champion!

Congratulations to Wendy Grandman and Bogey on earning the official title of Canadian National Disc Dog Champion. Wendy & Bogey earned this honour by winning the Canada Cup at the Canadian National Disc Dog Championships on August 5/07. Way To Go!!


"Bent" > Bent is a border collie/jrt mix & a liitermate to club members "Fable" and "Rowdy". He came to live with us in May of this year after finding himself in need of a new home. Bent is 6yrs old and since arriving here has been performing in the Team K9 dog sport shows, and has been learning to play disc. Look out for Bent on the competition fields next season!


The Canadian National Disc Dog Championships
Thank You to all who came out and supported our first ever Dog Disc-a-thon (aka Disc-stravaganza) and Canadian National Disc Dog Championships. Our head judge on Saturday/Sunday was Ray Lohman from Maryland.

Saturday was the Dog Disc-a-thon which offered several disc games for competitors including tic-tac-toe (which is a spot landing game); bullseye; toss/fetch; speed disc; and pyramid. Some disc organizations consider toss/fetch & freestyle to be the only serious disc games, calling other disc games "goofy games", but as anyone who has participated in a disc dog-a-thon type of event can attest, these are skill building games and just as challenging as toss/fetch &/or freestyle disc. We had a great turnout with lots of new faces and a good time was had by all.

Sunday was the Canadian National Disc Dog Championships which offered toss/fetch and freestyle as stand alone contests with several divisions in each class. The CANADA CUP award, which was the award for the "overall highest scoring dog" for freestyle and toss/fetch combined went to Wendy Grandman & Bogey. The award is a stunning 12 x 12 black granite plate with the SODH logo/dog laser engraved into the stone. It was very generously created & donated to the trial by Genaro Yupangco from Lasting Laser Impressions.

The National Championships also offered other awards:
** The INNOVATION AWARD went to Katherine Ferger & Zelda.
** The HIGHEST SCORING CATTLE DOG AWARD went to Frank Montgomery and Allie-Oop. ** And MOST IMPROVED PLAYER prize (for most improved handler & dog combined) went to Anne Weideman and Foster.

All of the ribbons & rosettes for these 2 trials were donated by Foxfire Publishing.
We are already planning next years event and hope to make it even bigger and better!!






The Hyperflite/Skyhoundz Ontario Regional Championships & Worlds Qualifier
The Hyperflite/Skyhoundz Ontario Regional Championships & Worlds Qualifier was held on Monday August 6th at the Chinguacousy Park in Brampton, Ontario. This year we saw the highest number of competitors ever. Our head judge was Peter Bloeme from Atlanta, and Peter was assisted by Ray Lohman from Maryland.

Gusting winds and extreme heat made the competition challenging for the competitors, but everyone did their best to conquer the elements and put on a good show.

Congratulations to all those who earned invites to compete at the Skyhoundz World Championships: in the freestyle category there was Angela Ewtushik, Timmie Dohn, Jenelle Holborough, and Heather Beach (from Ottawa); in MicroDog it was Katherine Ferger with both Zelda and Talullah; Pairs was Angela & Jenelle with Rally, and Katherine & Dennis with Talullah; and D/A was Don Blewett with Meg and Spring, Laura Campbell with Juice, and Katherine Ferger with Fable.

SODH presented a special award to Dennis Alexander and Tango.Tango was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her years of competition, multiple World Finalist placings, and for being a pioneer of the sport of disc dog in Canada. Together Dennis and Tango have paved the way for the rest of us to see what the sport of freestyle disc could become. Their innovation and dedication to the sport are deserving of special mention. The Lifetime Achievement Award was a beautiful crystal cube with a photo of Tango laser imbedded into the crystal. The award was very generously created & donated by Crystallize It.

The entire weekend of disc competitions (the Dog Disc-a-thon; National Championships; and Skyhoundz Worlds Qualifier) would not have been possible without the help of the many volunteers who tirelessly worked to keep things on track. A special thanks goes out to our American friends Corinne Brewer from the Yankee Flyers Dog and Disc Club, and Ray Lohman and Frank Montgomery from the Mid-Atlantic Dog and Disc Club. Their help and combined years of experience was invaluable. Ray & Frank are owed a huge thank you for undertaking the job of chalking and re-chalking the playing field every day.
Another huge thank you also goes out to SODH members Sheilagh Sargent, Kate Gartley, and Colleen Miller for assisting with judging/score keeping etc over the course of the weekend .... Kate was sitting out in the blazing sun for 3 days!! And to the same three for staying to the bitter end to help tear down and pack up after the event. Your help is very much appreciated.


Katherine Ferger put together a small compilation of video clips from the competition which can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.%20com/watch?




The Second Annual Can-Am Disc Dog Games
The second annual Can-Am Disc Dog Games was held on August 18/19 at the Broome County Fairgrounds, in Whitney Point, New York. It was a great venue that allowed on site camping for those traveling from out of town. On Saturday we had lots of fun disc and non-disc games, & training clinics conducted by volunteer instructors. On Sunday we had a Skyhoundz Disc Dog-a-thon. Saturday night was a campfire complete with music and singing. We also had instruction in disc throwing from a professional human freestyle disc champion. It was a fun weekend to hook up with other disc enthusiasts, learn new tricks/moves, and spend time with good friends and of course, our canine companions.




The Growing Sport Of Disc Dog in Canada
Although people have been throwing Frisbee discs to their dogs seemingly forever, the actual competition sport of canine disc play did not make its way into Canada until about twelve years ago with the formation of the CDDA. Since that time the sport has been growing slowly and is still in its infancy as compared to some other countries. However, with the introduction of Skyhoundz to Ontario a few years ago, canine disc sport is enjoying a new resurgence of interest, and is attracting new players across the province. A handful of Canadians have been fortunate enough to participate in the Hyperflite/Skyhoundz World Disc Dog Championships over the past few years and have brought home a newfound enthusiasm for the sport. Being able to see the sport performed at a high level of expertise has both inspired and encouraged players to take up the challenge to persue and promote canine disc in Ontario.

2004 and 2005 brought the introduction of disc training clinics with Peter Bloeme and Jeff Perry from Skyhoundz; and 2006 saw two more U.S. trainers being invited up to teach disc training clinics > Ron Watson and Melissa Heeter. In August of 2006 Peter Bloeme returned to Ontario and again offered training to interested parties. 2007 has seen interest in the sport grow even more. Ron Watson returned to teach another disc training workshop, assisted by his partner Apryl Lea. And Pam Martin, from Texas, also came up to teach a disc training workshop this summer. Canadians are hungry for instruction!!

There are currently three organizations under which we can compete in Ontario. The Canadian Disc Dog Association (CDDA); Skyhoundz; and the USDDN. One of the challenges we face here in the Great White North is ....... winter. Cold temperatures and deep snow make disc play prohibitive in many areas. However, Angela Ewtushik of Mount Forest, Ontario hosts the Deep Freeze Disc Dog Series (CDDA sanctioned) in a horse arena in her area, thus allowing players some wintertime competition. Generally speaking our disc season begins in May and ends in the fall (depending on the weather).

On the Skyhoundz front, we have several Skyhoundz Local Championships booked each summer. Many of these piggy-back flyball tournaments so that we can take the sport to the people, thereby bringing more opportunity and awareness to a larger audience of potential disc enthusiasts. SODH is the official host of the Hyperflite/Skyhoundz Ontario Regional Championships which over the past 2yrs has been held on the August Holiday Monday, at the Nitty Gritty Festival in Brampton. 2007 also saw the creation and introduction of the Canadian National Disc Dog Championships. And in 2006 Angela Ewthushik created the 'Unofficial Open Freestyle Class' as an addition to the CDDA sanctioned trials that she hosts, thus offering competitors an avenue to create new and innovative freestyle disc routines and prepare them for competition in other disc organizations where freestyle is prominent.

2006 saw a new disc adventure for the Ontario crew. The Can-Am Disc Dog Games were created by Corinne Brewer of the Yankee Flyers Disc Dog Club and Ray Lohman & Frank Montgomery of the Mid-Atlantic Dog and Disc Club. They very generously included the Southern Ontario Disc Houndz as the third invited club to attend. This year a 4th club was added to this invitational event. The New England Disc Dog Club. Next year we hope to add the Green Mountain Disc Dog Club and the Airborne Disc Dog Club of Ottawa (ADDCO).


Another new venture for Canadians was the introduction of USDDN disc dog trials. Pat Nadarajah of the ADDCO spearheaded this venture. This was also the year of the very first Canadian USDDN Qualifier > a competition in which dogs/handlers qualify to compete at the USDDN National/International Championships.

Currenlty (as of this writing) there are two member based disc dog clubs in Ontario. The Southern Ontario Disc Houndz and the Airborne Disc Dog Club of Ottawa.

There are several talented disc dogs and trainers here in Ontario and I think that with continued training and due diligence we will soon be able to run with the big dogs and hold our own :-) As the sole host of the Skyhoundz Local Championships in Ontario, and the official host of the Skyhoundz Regionals/Worlds Qualifier, and the Canadian National Disc Dog Championships, I would like to take this opportunity to thank my friends and fellow disc doggers for their continued help and support in running these trials. And to those who are undertaking to host disc trials & workshops (regardless of disc organization) ....... kudos for stepping up to the plate & helping to grow this great sport. Together we can accomplish great things!



How Do You Teach That?
Figure 8 Weaves >> lure dog under and around your legs in a figure 8 pattern. You can use whatever set of cue's works best for you ........ such as "under"; "zig & zag"; or 8's. You can also use a leg cue by lunging onto the leg that you wish the dog to go around. The bent knee tells the dog which way to go. You can have your dog weave on the spot while you pick up discs; or weave on the spot as a set up into a throw; or as a set up into a vault ....... you are limited only by your imagination.
Side Stepping Figure 8 Weave >> lunge to the right and have dog go under & around your right leg; then step to your left with your left foot ..... cross over step with your right foot ...... and lunge to your left and have the dog go under & around your left leg. Then step to the right with your right foot .... cross over step with your left foot .... and lunge to your right. Repeat from the beginning so that your dog is doing a Figure 8 weave but you are taking 2 steps to the side between each go under/around.


Canine Back Flips >> back flips are one of the "standard' freestyle moves. When executing a back flip the dog jumps up and turns/flips in the air as he catches the disc. Before bringing your dog into the picture you first have to learn where to place the disc for a safe back flip. One way to do this is to stand in front of a tree, post, or even a traffic pylon & imagine yourself on the face of a clock (the tree/post/pylon is the centre) .... now toss your disc to 10 o'clock on the one side and 2 o'clock on the other side. When you have the hang of that you will now attempt to toss your disc so that it curves past 10 o'clock (or 2 o'clock) to land at 12 o'clock .... behind the tree/post/pylon. How high or low you toss your disc will depend on the size and athletic ability of your dog. Now get your dog into the picture. Start by only tossing to 10 or 2 so that the dog is learing to "turn back" to get the disc. Once the dog has the hang of turning to get the disc start to throw 'around' to 12 o'clock ..... this will make the dog turn further and cause him to complete the turn, forming a back flip. Now it's not a big sweeping 'around' throw > it's just like having a tree in front of you and you are tossing the disc behind the tree >> or in this case ... behind your dog.
Now some people keep the back flip just like this with a fairly flat disc & some people change the angle of the disc form a tighter flip. The theory behind angling the disc so that it is vertical is that, as the dog turns/flips, the angle of the disc will be at the right angle for him to catch. Be careful though that if you use this throw, that you do not bring the toss too tight and force the dog into a somersault type of flip, which is quite dangerous. If using the vertical throw you toss the disc alongside the dogs body to his hip area (not literally at his hip > just that far back > the disc should be beside the dogs body about 6 - 10" out) Because you don't have that little 'around' kick to the toss, the dog will jump up into a tighter flip. Just be careful though that you don't bring it too tight. When teaching back flips I always start with the 10 & 2 toss and then depending on the dog, decide whether or not to change to the vertical toss.

Rowdy doing a back flip


In Conversation With ........
In this issue we are talking with Pat Nadarajah, director of the Airborne Disc Dog Club Of Ottawa, and first Canadian to host USDDN disc dog trials in Ontario
Q:
Hello Pat and thanks for talking with us. How did you first become involved in the sport of disc dog?
A:
I got started about 6 years ago with my Border Collie, Sofy playing Toss and Fetch. Recently I started doing freestyle training with my other BC Rev.
Q:
do you have any mentors or favourite players in this sport?
A:
Hands down my favourite player is Todd Duncan. He is smooth and rhythmic. I really enjoy Tracy Custer’s routines, Pam Martin and Mark Muir.
Q:
what &/or who has most heavily influenced your game?
A:
That’s a tough one. Melissa Heeter has played a big role in my approach to the sport. Pam Martin also influences my thinking. Her approach to the training and her rapport with her dog is very inspiring. She has a lot of imagination too.
Q:
tell us a little bit about the dogs you play and compete with ...
A:
At the moment I train with my 4 year old BC Rev. He is very athletic, loves to please and gives 110%. I would be the minus in the equation. I am not nearly as athletic, much older and definitely not as fast. I really enjoy training new moves with him. He picks up quickly and it’s fun to watch the evolution of your hard work unfold.
Q:
do you have a favourite move (either one of your own or one someone else does)?
A:
Tough question. To watch as a spectator I have to say I really like Tracy Custer’s flip dog catch that she basically executes blindly, meaning behind her back. A well timed vault is also great to watch. I also enjoy innovative pre-routines before the first disc flies. As you can see I have too many favourites :-)
Q:
what motivated you to form the ADDCO?
A:
When Melissa Heeter came up to teach some workshops last summer, she really encouraged our group to unite and train together. Share the knowledge, help each other out so the club was the next step to help us achieve a new level in the area and grow the sport.
Q:
what motivated you to bring the USDDN to Canada?
A:
I thought it was a good organization grounded in good sportsmanship, dedicated to the safe playing of the sport. Canada is relatively new to the sport and the more we as players have to choose from, the better and more informed our decisions will be when it’s time to attend competitions. Variety is the spice of life
Q:
what is your favourite disc dog memory to date?
A:
I have 2 really. Attending the USDDN Nationals/International championships last year in Louisville which gave me the opportunity to watch the best players in the sport compete and play with their dogs. I met some wonderful, very talented people. My most recent experience hosting the First Canadian USDDN qualifying championship here in Ottawa showed me among other things how many talented players we have here and the potential that is out there in the community to grow the sport. As well the level of support I received from US players, clubs, judges and my friends in Southern Ontario was overwhelming.
Q:
what advice do you have for newcomers to the sport?
A: if there is a club in your area, definitely contact them and ask to come and watch or participate in a practice. If no club exists in your area, contact one via the Internet and ask questions. Do some research on the safe practice of the sport, watch videos of the players I mentioned, guaranteed to inspire.


Quotable Quotes:
"A dog has a share in a man's intelligence, but no share in his falsehood"
Sir Walter Scott


The First Canadian USDDN National Qualifier
The first USDDN National Qualifier to be held in Canada was hosted by the Airborne Disc Dog Club Of Ottawa, on August 25th. The competition was held on a beautiful professionally turfed football field at the Super Ex. There were competitors from Canada and the U.S. in attendance. The weather provided quite the challenge as high winds were present early in the day and then torrential rain presented later in the day. The rain was coming down so hard that you could actually see it bouncing back up off the turf. Thank goodness for a professional field though > regular sod would have puddled and become dangerous for the dogs to work on, but this professional astro-turf had drainage and despite the downpour the surface remained safe for the dogs and the competition was able to continue. The judges were huddled under umbrella's and the competitors were drenched!! But everyone still had a good time! Across the board, even in the novice divisions, the freestyle routines were innovative and action packed. A huge thanks is owed to Pat Nadarajah and her team of volunteers from the ADDCO for organizing such a great event in a wonderful venue, and for giving Canadians the opportunity to compete under the USDDN and qualify for their National trial. Canadians qualifying to compete at the USDDN Nationals are: Pam Casselman & Trouble; Timmie Dohn & Dakota; and Katherine Ferger with Talullah. Alernate spots were earned by Heather Beech with Twist; and Jackie Parkin with Rowdy.