Sport gives high-energy dogs outlet

Canine Frisbee is catching on in Northwest Houston, giving dogs an outlet for their boundless energy.

The Houston Canine Frisbee Disc Club has grown from six members to about 35 in the last 10 years. Not just a club for serious competitors, newcomers receive training immediately whether one-on-one or in a group setting.

"It's as competitive as you want it to be," said Pennie Mahon, a member of the Houston Canine Frisbee Disc Club and owner of Bark's 5th Avenue in Cy-Fair. "Our club offers something for all skill levels. If all you are interested in is going to the park and throwing your dog a Frisbee, we can teach you the proper and safe way to throw it. If you are looking to compete on a national or worldwide level, we can teach you that as well."

The Houston Canine Frisbee Disc Club welcomes visitors to its meetings every second Sunday of the month at Clark Henry Park in Jersey Village at 3 p.m. during the winter and 5 p.m. in the summer. There is a $35 per year family membership fee.

Competitive canine Frisbee consists of two events. Beginners start out in toss and fetch, during which dogs catch as many discs as they can in a minute, scoring more points for the more yards they run.

The second category is the more entertaining free-style event, in which a dog can vault off its owners' back, run between their legs and even do a back flip before they catch a Frisbee, Mahon said.

"Each person and dog has their own artistic impression of what their routine is," Mahon said. "The dogs are flying all across the field. They are catching discs and using their bodies as launching pads. The dogs are a mixture of gymnasts and sprinters they are just amazing athletes."

The sport is a good way for owners to bond with their dogs as well as train them, Mahon said. Many of the dogs that excel at the sport are shelter rescues.

"A lot of the dogs that are tailor-made for this sport have personality types that aren't really conducive to the average pet home," Mahon said. "When super high-energy dogs are in family type atmospheres they aren't stimulated or get enough activity. They typically turn to negative behaviors and wind up in shelters."

Clark Henry Park, Equador St., Jersey Village, www.houstonfrisbeedogs.com