When we got news from Hero that they had a super durable light plastic disc, the SuperAero, it took
me all of 5 minutes to make the decision to purchase 5 for testing and to start planning a Prima Test.

A few Days ago I wrote about Improving a Toss and Fetch Retrieve and said that I’d share two techniques that we use here at Pawsitive Vybe to increase our Retrieve speed in our dogs. Here’s is the first technique, Bitework.

These techniques will be covered in complete detail in pictures and video in our Disc Dog Foundation Class which starts Wednesday and added to the first update of the DiscDogger’s Toolkit.

Adding Value With Bitework

Adding value to the area around the handler is vital for getting a strong retrieve. This is nowhere more important than in the game of Toss and Fetch.

In Toss and Fetch, some dogs naturally perceive the area around the handler as extremely valuable because that is where throws come from so they haul butt back to the handler. But I would think dogs like this are a … Read More »

This is a typical Bitework Application session. There is a plan, in this case, we’re going to develop a Hoop, skill where the dog leaps through a hoop made from the handler’s arms. Working this skill with Bitework yields a loose a sloppy understanding and performance of the skill. It works, it’s fast, but if we want to teach this skill well, cookies would be a better method. Teaching this skill with Bitework will yield a ‘quick and dirty’ trick.

Disc Dog Bed and Breakfast Guest, Linday, performing Bitework in the Context of a Consequent Game with Juicy Juice of the Pawsitive Vybe Pack.

Flag and Flash Cuing is a cuing system developed by Pawsitive Vybe for teaching dogs to leap over and off of their handlers. The quick and dirty Over and Vault applications are great. Pro discdoggers should have this tool in their toolbox for sure.

A video on Bitework Rule # 3. If you’re getting bitten by your dog during play this is a must watch.

Shaping a Give with a Single Toy.

When a Bite is offered as a cookie the dog has earned the right to attempt to Bite that object. It’s a very empowering experience. The dog learns that he can make the bite happen by showing some Patience, giving Eye Contact, offering a Back Up behavior, or whatever.

Leashes make good Tug Toys.

Most of the behaviors that we create with our dogs are really chains of small concepts and chains are only as strong as their weakest link. Dog trainers and dog sport handlers need to be able to break down complex behaviors, isolate the weak concepts and mark and reinforce them to make them stronger.