General Rules

The Colorado Disc Dogs Club exists to promote the sport of canine disc and to provide opportunities for dogs and their humans to experience the joy that results from playing, training, competing and having a shared goal in a scored game.

To that end, in order to keep our events safe and enjoyable for humans and dogs, we have established the following rules and guidelines. By participating in any CDD event, you are agreeing to these rules and guidelines.

Handler Etiquette

For all CDD events, including but not limited to competitions, demos, and workshops:

• Dogs must be on a leash, or safely confined in a vehicle, kennel or X-pen at all times unless you are on the competition field. This is crucial for the safety of people and dogs at our events, and it is also a legal requirement everywhere we hold events.
• Allow a minimum of 8 feet of distance between your dog and any other dog you encounter at a CDD event. Assume every dog you see has a need for space. Do not approach or touch unfamiliar dogs without handler permission.
• Always pick up after your dog, and remind others to do the same. If you find a stray poop, adopt it. We try very hard to maintain good relations with the communities that allow us to host our events in their areas, and this is the main way we show our gratitude. Always leave the event site cleaner than you found it.
• No food or treats of any kind are allowed on the competition field. Food dropped on the playing field may cause unnecessary distractions. Food and treats are allowed on event grounds outside of the competition field.
• Dispose of all trash in appropriate receptacles. We leave parks and venues better than we found them.
• Exhibit good sportsmanship. Any verbal or physical abuse towards a dog or another person may result in Disciplinary Action.
• Keep your dog calm and happy. Disc is an exciting sport for dogs, and disc competitions are an exciting and stimulating environment. Some level of excitement and barking is expected, particularly when dogs first arrive at the field or when they or another dog in their family is being prepared for performance. However, handlers who allow dogs to vocalize excessively and in a sustained manner at events will be subject to Disciplinary Action.
• If your dog has sensitivities regarding other dogs, people, or the competition environment, it is up to you to take the necessary training and management steps to help your dog successfully navigate the competition experience. Click here for more information on Expectations for Dogs.
• Any aggressive act by a dog toward another dog or a person may result in Disciplinary Action.
• Bitches in season (BIS) are eligible to compete in CDD events. They will run at the end of the run order in their division and will be required to wear panties during their round. Handler is required to potty their BIS a minimum of 50 yards from the competition field(s).

Eligibility Requirements for Dogs

• Dogs participating in the Rec Division must be at least 6 months of age.
• Dogs participating in a competitive round of Toss & Fetch must be at least 12 months of age.
• Dogs participating in a competitive round of Freestyle must be at least 18 months of age.
• All dogs must appear to be healthy on the event day and should be current on all vaccinations required by law. Any questions about medical or health conditions should be cleared by your veterinarian in order to participate.
• Dogs who are visibly injured or limping, or who appear to be unhealthy on the day of the event may be dismissed from the event at the discretion of the contest organizers.
• Wolves, wolf-hybrids, coyotes, coyote-hybrids, foxes or fox-hybrids are not eligible for registration or participation in CDD events.

Click here for more information about Expectations for Dogs

Humane Training Guidelines

The Colorado Disc Dogs requires participants and competitors to adhere to the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) Guidelines for Humane Training at all club events, including demos, workshops and competitions. The AVSAB has outlined specific criteria for humane dog training, and promotes the use of reward based methods for all canine training. As the role of companion animals has evolved, their welfare and the relationships between humans and animals have become increasingly important. It is understood that animals are sentient and should be treated with respect and compassion. The sport of canine disc is particularly focused on partnership and joy between humans and dogs, and harsh training methods are not only unnecessary for top performance, they are detrimental.

The following training tools are prohibited on event grounds: choke chains, prong collars, electronic shock collars or training aids, citronella collars, squirt bottles, shaker noise cans, compressed air cans, and any other aversive tool that is used to hurt or intimidate an animal (tools not specifically listed to be evaluated at the discretion of CDD Executive or Advisory Group Members). Use of prohibited devices may result in Disciplinary Action.

AVSAB Position Statement on Humane Dog Training (pdf download): avsab.org

Each of these major sanctioning bodies of canine disc also restricts usage of these devices:

• Ashley Whippet
• The Quadruped
• Skyhoundz
• UpDog
• USDDN
• UFO

The Colorado Disc Dogs run a number of competitions each year. These events are often sanctioned by a national or international frisbee dog governing body, and thus our events are run using the freestyle and throw & catch rules of the sanctioning organization. For events that are not nationally sanctioned, the club will elect to use the rules of one or more of the major organizations, and those rules will be explained in the Competitor's Meeting at the event. Although we will publicize the organization whose rules will be used ahead of time, and run a Competitor's Meeting describing the rules, it is up to the competitor to read and understand the rules prior to competing, as there are details and nuances that may not be conveyed during the Competitor's Meeting.

Colorado Disc Dogs Events

The types of play you will encounter at most CDD events are as follows:

• Toss & Catch (also called Distance/Accuracy, MiniDistance, Toss & Fetch or Throw & Catch) — thrower is allowed 60 seconds to make as many throws for their dog as possible, using a single disc. Points are awarded for each catch based on the length of the throw. There are some variations in the way toss & catch is judged; some event formats include sidelines that mark out-of-bounds, and some include additional points for mid-air catches.
• Freestyle — a choreographed routine with your dog set to music, utilizing multiple discs and any type of throw and trick you can think of. This is where you routinely see vaults, flips, spins, jumps, rolls, weaves, and many other amazing moves. Teams are allowed 90 or 120 seconds to perform, depending on the sanctioning body for that event.
• Long Distance — while each sanctioning body has its own rules and format, they all measure the longest throw and catch in each division.

The divisions that the CDD will offer at most of its events are: Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, Open, Youth and Recreational. Event staff will gladly answer any questions you may have regarding format or which division you should enter.

Divisions

Novice Division: A Toss & Catch division for people new to the sport. We allow new teams to remain in the Novice division for up to two years. During their first year (365-day rule), a novice team may remain in the division no matter what results they put up. However, during their second year, if a team competing in Novice earns two "Top 3" finishes, they must move up to a higher division at their next event. Novice competitors may use any dog-safe disc in competition, including floppies.

Intermediate Division: A Toss & Catch division for more experienced teams who do not consider themselves quite ready for the Advanced Division. Intermediate competitors must use a standard competition disc (Wham-O Fastback Frisbee, Hero, Dogstar, or HyperFlite brands).

The Club has also added Intermediate Freestyle to our offerings. This division does not earn any Colorado Cup points. We intend this division to be a stress-free, consequence-free round so that teams new to freestyle can experience competitive rounds with less pressure.

Advanced Division: A Toss & Catch division for expert teams. These teams are generally very experienced, but the division is open to anyone.

Open Division: A combined Freestyle and Toss & Catch division. The Open competitor will compete in the Advanced Division for their Toss & Catch score, and will also perform their Freestyle round during the Open round. The first round of Advanced Toss & Catch will be added to the Freestyle score (with multipliers) for a final score in this division.

Recreational Division: The Rec Division is designed to be a non-competitive division, and is open to anyone regardless of experience level. Teams are allowed one 60 or 90 second round, which may be used for toss and catch, freestyle, or any type of performance that the handler chooses.

Good luck out there and have fun!