Expectations for Dogs

All dogs and handlers need to be able to navigate the competition environment and the surprises that come with it.

Our events are held in real life environments and our volunteers, participants and spectators are real life people. The unexpected can and does frequently happen. We need to do our best to ensure that all people and dogs remain safe in the competition environment.

Any dog displaying aggression towards people or dogs is subject to disciplinary action. Please refer to the section on Disciplinary Action for full details. Additionally, any dog that causes injury to another dog or human in any circumstance will automatically be disqualified from that event, may be dismissed from that event, and may be suspended from future CDD events pending a review and final decision by the President and Executive Board.

Some dogs may be able to successfully enjoy the activity of canine disc play but may not be able to cope with the competition environment. Some handlers have found that the activity has helped their sensitive or fearful dog improve dramatically to a level where they are able to safely cope with the competition environment. Our goal is to have a safe and welcoming environment for all handlers and dogs, and a club and competition culture that promotes dog wellbeing and welfare first and foremost.

It is expected that you treat every dog at a competition as though it may need accommodation; including, but not limited to:

• Give every dog a wide berth, allowing a minimum of 8 feet between dogs as you pass. If your dog is on a 6 ft leash, this means the distance between humans may need to be 20 feet or more in order to give dogs the required space.

• Do not approach or touch dogs without the handler’s permission.

• Honor handler requests for space and/or accommodation, so long as it does not disrupt the competition.

• Keep your dog under control at all times, on a leash or securely contained in a vehicle, crate, or expen unless you are on the competition field during your round.

Following are some guidelines of what our competition environments do and don’t provide, with respect to dogs who have concerns about dogs, people and the environment.

Dogs who are concerned about other dogs

What we do give you…

• Competition areas without other dogs purposefully in the area.

• Reasonable assurance that people will do their best to follow the rules and maintain at least 8 feet of distance between dogs.

• No requirement that your dog be tolerant of or near other dogs, and no purposely off leash dogs.

• Culture and rules that have dogs contained when not going potty or getting ready for their turn.

What we don’t give you...

• Guarantee of no accidents or surprises – you and your dog need to be able to safely navigate any of these surprises including dogs directly approaching your dog.

• We do not require other dogs to be put away or “extreme” space given for your dog to navigate to the potty areas or competition field.

• Approval to have a dangerous dog at an event.

Dogs who are concerned with people

Dogs must be comfortable in proximity to people of varying ages, genders, sizes who may move in unpredictable ways. For every competition, there will be judges and volunteers around the field, and they will be standing, sitting or running on the sidelines inside the flagged competition field area. For many competitions there will be spectators, including children, and pets. People may do unexpected things, such as jump up and down and cheer, open an umbrella, pop a balloon, or approach you and your dog.

What we do give you…

• We ask our judges and volunteers to show respect and not interact with your dog without permission.

• We ask our judges and volunteers to give you a little bit of extra space if requested (stepping back a step or two).

What we don’t give you...

• We don’t clear areas, the competition field, ask spectators or volunteers to leave competition areas or ask judges to step back outside of the competition area.

• Any guarantees that our volunteers or spectators or other people at the event location will not attempt to approach/interact with your dog.

• Officials and volunteers will not alter their attire (i.e. remove a hat or jacket) to accommodate a dog with concerns.

• While volunteers and officials will not intentionally exhibit behaviors that add social pressure to a dog, we cannot take requests that a volunteer, official, spectator, or other person on trial grounds not exhibit certain body language/behaviors such as making eye contact with the dog. Judging specifically requires us to look at the dog.

• We don’t condone dogs displaying aggression (for example: lunging, barking, growling, etc.) towards humans at any time.

Dogs who have environmental sensitivities

What we do give you…

• Understanding if you need a bit of time to help your dog recover from an unusual scary event.

What we don’t give you

• Accommodations to avoid certain environments, weather, situations, etc.

• We can’t give you a clear path to a competition area, or additional time to acclimate once you have taken the field, etc.