One of the many joys of owning a dog is that they offer a way to stay active. Whether twice-daily walks, jogging, backyard fetch, or agility classes, exercise is a crucial part of keeping canines of nearly any breed healthy.
“Dogs and humans are better when they’re active,” says Jason Rigler, a co-founder of UpDog Challenge, a disc and dog sport organization. “Being sedentary has as much of an impact on mental health as physical.”
UpDog offers dog owners of all kinds an opportunity to stay active while nurturing their competitive side. After growing concerned about hyper-competitive dog contests that were often intimidating to novices, UpDog founders developed a slate of new games that range in skill level and whose difficulty can grow alongside skills. For example, 4WayPlay involves earning points for throwing/catching in four score zones on the field, Frizgility combines agility obstacles with frisbee catches, and TimeWarp challenges teams to complete three catches and race back in the shortest amount of time.
The other component that sets UpDog apart is its scoring and tracking system. In addition to just first, second, and third place in competitions, UpDog tracks all results and accomplishments, allowing teams to view lifetime stats online, accumulate points, measure progress, and unlock achievements. “For the teams that may not make the podium, they can play for something else,” Rigler says.
UpDog hosts events all over the country and around the world, culminating in the International Finals, which were held earlier this month, April 4-7.
Toys for Active Dogs—and UpDog Challengers
Competitors at this year’s UpDog International Finals were some of the first to try Coastal Pet’s brand new Pro™Fit flying disc, part of a lineup of toys designed to be engaging and durable for active dogs.
The ProFit disc, which was included in Player’s Pack swag bags as part of Coastal Pet’s sponsorship of the event, looks like a traditional frisbee but has four raised areas that make it easier for dogs to pick up off of the ground. Rigler got a chance to try out the new frisbee and was impressed by the toy’s foam material, noting that it merges the durability and fly capabilities of a hard-surface frisbee with a softer give that is gentler on the dog’s mouth. The toy floats well too, Rigler says, rising to the surface quickly so the dog has to spend less time looking for it underwater.
The ProFit toy line also includes a Stick, a Mini Ring and a Mega Ring, a Rope Ball, and the “Flying Jack,” a frisbee-like flyer featuring four balls around the edges and a hollow point in the center; the toy tosses like a frisbee but bounces around when it hits the ground for an extra-fun challenge.
All of the toys in the ProFit line were designed for ultimate durability, made with a self-healing, waterproof foam that survived even the harshest of factory pull tests.
Collars and Leashes for Active Dogs
ProFit toys come in easy-to-see bright blue and yellow, matching or complementing Coastal’s Pro collars and leashes. Also designed with active dogs in mind, Pro includes a reflective leash and collar, featuring sporty contrasting colors:
- aqua + neon yellow
- fuchsia + teal
- lime + orange
- bright blue + gray
- bright green + gray
- bight orange + gray
- bright pink + gray
- purple + yellow
The line’s waterproof harnesses, leashes, and collars are ideal for dogs that love to get wet; they are designed for easy cleaning and durability and come in four bright colors:
- aqua
- fuchsia
- lime
- purple
Getting active with your dog is as simple as taking regular strolls around the block, as easy as a game of toss in the backyard, or as engaging as a competition like those from UpDog. Coastal Pet’s toys and gear can help you get there.