UpDogs catch disc-o-fever

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/10/2019 (2457 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Racing around the agility course, Davidson, 7, is met with jubilant cheers for each jump she clears and Frisbee she catches as she strives to dominate the UpDog Challenge.

Sarah van Renselaar has been participating in dog sports with her dog Davidson, a.k.a “Crazy Daisy,” for years. 

Van Renselaar and her canine cohorts have seen a growing excitement in the canine community for the UpDog Challenge disc league.

“It’s games we can play with our dogs and a Frisbee, with some agility thrown in,” van Renselaar said. “It’s a lot of fun.”

See ‘They love’ — Page 2

The sport serves as a great opportunity to bond with dogs while having a grand time playing an addictive game, she said.

Crocus Obedience & Kennel Club hosted its Fall UpDog Challenge in early October.

It was a wet weekend for trials and a little colder than expected, van Renselaar said, adding that some of the dogs had the fall’s most fashionable jackets on to stay warm.

There was a celebratory atmosphere during the trials as it was the last outdoor event of the season.

The air was filled with cheers for competitors’ furry friends as they did their best to catch Frisbees and clear jumps. 

“They love it,” van Renselaar said. “They love to get in the mud and play,” 

UpDog is a fairly new sport in Canada, participant Emily Lowes said, explaining that many athletes have only taken the sport up over the last couple of years. Lowes trains with her trusty companion and agility veteran Fidget and her athlete-in-training Wilson.

“He (Widget) tries his darndest,” Lowes said with a laugh. “He’s not exactly bred for this but anyone can try this game.”

Like van Renselaar, she has been training for years in canine sports. The duo grew up together in the dog sports and will compete with the WoofJocks at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair.

They travel to trials in Brandon, Winnipeg, Regina and Saskatoon, Lowes said, in an effort to visit as many events as they can.

The UpDog challenge features different games in the league which can keep it exciting for teams because they can participate in an array of different activities and throwing techniques, Lowes said.

“There’s something for every dog,” Lowes said.

The sport has proven to be a great way to build strong relationships with furry friends through the training teams do.

The classes are great because they serve as a chance to show off what their dogs can do, van Renselaar said, while having fun doing a sport she and her dogs love. She added that the sport is a safe way to play with her dogs and get their brains working.

“It builds a better bond to have a controlled and happy dog at home,” van Renselaar said.

The best part of playing UpDog is spending time with their pets and having the chance to have fun with friends in the canine community.

“It’s a good, fun way to exercise your dog,” van Renselaar said with a laugh, adding that she also gets a good workout after each round.

It is especially helpful training at Crocus Obedience & Kennel Club because they can practise in a fenced-in area, which is important, van Renselaar said, because UpDog sees many fresh-faced dogs come out for the sport and owners can let their companions off-leash without worrying they could escape.

The UpDog Challenge league is growing, van Renselaar said, adding that she made a push this summer with disc sports classes in order to give people new to the sport more opportunities to give it a go. 

“I do a lot of small trials to try and get people to come in without being a huge, intimidating atmosphere. We’re having a lot of fun with it,” van Renselaar said.

The sport is open to any dog, she said, as long as they are interested in playing.

“If they can fetch, then they can do it,” van Renselaar said.

The most challenging aspect of disc sports can be tempering a dog’s enthusiasm, Lowes said with a chuckle, as some canines have more enthusiastic grips for Frisbees and can inadvertently get a hold of fingers.

“Some dogs get really excited about it. It’s just about teaching them proper bite on the disc,” van Renselaar said. 

It can also be difficult encouraging dogs without a large play drive to get into the sport, she added, explaining that they can learn by tapping into their play drive with different toys and tugs.

“Just find what they like — It’s trying to get their inner play out,” van Renselaar said.

While they will not be playing outside during the winter due to the cold and ice, the group will be hosting indoor events, including foundation training at the Crocus Obedience & Kennel Club clubhouse.

It is always great to see the leaps and bounds teams take from when they first learn foundation training, learn what their dog can do and come back to succeed in different classes, van Renselaar said.

“It’s the best feeling.”

» ckemp@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @The_ChelseaKemp