Why Is My Dog Afraid of Frisbees?

Part of what keeps a dog in good health and wellness is ensuring they get sufficient exercise. Just like humans, exercise helps your dogs strengthen their muscles and joints, provides mental stimulation, and prevents them from becoming overweight, among other things.  Every dog requires exercise daily, but they may not need the same type or amount of exercise or physical activity each day.

According to an article written by 1-800-PetMeds, dogs need between 30 minutes and 2 hours of physical activity per day. Sufficient exercise ensures that our furry friends remain happy and healthy. It’s also important to note that small breeds of dogs like chihuahuas and terriers require a smaller amount of daily exercise compared to larger breeds (such as retrievers) which require a significantly larger amount.  

To answer your question…

Why is my dog afraid of frisbees? Your dog may be afraid of frisbees because they may appear strange to them and they may not have spent much time with them. You can imagine that sense of threat. This can lead your dog to bark or appear afraid of the frisbee. Read on to learn more about what may be causing your dog to be afraid of playing with a frisbee.

Dogs May Be Afraid of Frisbees Because They Are Not Used to Them

Just like every other animal, dogs become reactive to objects they have not seen or become used to before. Playing with them using a frisbee is no exception. This is why you may see them uninterested or afraid when you play frisbee with them.

This is a common problem encountered by most dog owners. However, before introducing your pet to exercise using a frisbee, visit your veterinarian to ascertain your dog’s health status. You should also seek advice on playing frisbee with your dog, as this can be a vigorous exercise.

For your dog to catch the frisbee, you must first get them to like the frisbee. Below are some of the ways you can get your dog more interested in a frisbee:

• Mix the frisbee with other toys your dog is used to.
• Serve your dog’s food and water using the Frisbee.
• While training your dog, place treats in the frisbee.
• Let your dog see the excitement in you while playing with the frisbee so that they recognize it as a fun and exciting toy.
• Be patient while getting them accustomed to playing with the frisbee. 

Over time, your dog will start to like it more and will soon love to play with the frisbee. Once you establish that, you can start by throwing or sliding the frisbee on the floor to see your dog’s reaction. The aim is to mimic a prey’s movement.

If your dog shows interest, you have achieved your aim, and you can expose the frisbee to them more often to get them more familiar with it. If they are not interested, you can try placing some treats on the frisbee as you slide it across the floor.

Immediately, your dog will be interested in catching the frisbee on the floor, and you can then proceed to throw it or play chase with the frisbee. Once you throw the frisbee and your dog catches it, try praising them so that they understand that the game is not only fun but also rewarding. You can start by throwing the frisbee over a short distance first and increase the distance over time.

Next is to teach your dog words or phrases to return the frisbee to you. Examples include “Catch the Frisbee”, and “Bring the Frisbee”. You should also compliment them when they do so by saying “Good boy” or “Good girl”.

You should know that frisbees are also referred to as flying discs. Do not settle for just any type of frisbee, unless you are sure that it is made from non-toxic materials that fulfill safety standards. To get the best frisbees, click here.

Related Questions

Is playing Frisbee bad for dogs?

There are two answers to the above question, which are either yes or no. While playing frisbee is a great way to maintain your dog’s health and wellness, it isn’t necessarily all positive. Frisbee could be bad for dogs as it may cause serious injuries or unforeseen consequences over the long term.

Therefore, pet owners should know the risks involved in playing frisbee and other sports before subjecting their dogs to it. Some of the common short-term risks of playing frisbee include muscle strain, overheating, over-exercise, and joint injuries, among others. Some of the known long-term risks of playing frisbee are lameness, disc disease, lumbar back pain, ligament injuries, joint issues, severe injuries, stiffness or immobility, and arthritis.

To prevent the aforementioned risks, pet owners should know their dog’s breed and their health status before considering playing frisbee with their furry friends.