The DSSC Disc solves a problem every protection sport handler knows — a bulky reward toy shoved in the armpit pushes your arm out, throws off your posture, and telegraphs the reward before you want to. The Disc's flat, circular profile tucks cleanly under the arm without forcing an unnatural angle, so the toy stays hidden, your body position stays correct, and your dog stays focused on the work. A woven strap handle gives you a secure grip point for tug work and easy carry between sessions. Available in Suede for a soft, natural bite surface or DURACOT™ for maximum durability — ready for everything from puppy foundation work to full-size sport dog training.
-
Flat circular design: The disc profile sits flush against the body when tucked under the arm — no bulk, no arm displacement, no awkward angles. Clean concealment that keeps your mechanics natural and your dog guessing.
-
Armpit-carry friendly: Designed specifically to be carried under the arm during heeling, obedience, and protection work without interfering with handler movement or giving away the reward location.
-
Woven strap handle: A sturdy woven handle on top gives the handler a secure, comfortable grip point for tug work, prey-motion exercises, and easy one-hand carry between sessions.
-
Available in Suede: Soft, natural surface that dogs grip readily and find highly attractive. The suede finish holds up through regular tug and reward sessions while remaining comfortable for the handler to hold.
-
Available in DURACOT™: Dog Sport Supply Co.'s exclusive double-layer fabric for handlers who need maximum durability. Built to handle high-frequency training and serious tug pressure session after session.
-
Works for puppies and young dogs: The flat profile is less intimidating for dogs new to tug work — easier to grab, easier to grip, and a natural confidence builder for puppies being introduced to prey drive and reward play.
-
Full-size dog ready: Despite its flat profile, the Disc is built for adult sport dogs too. The circular shape provides plenty of bite surface and handler grip area for serious tug work at any level.
Specs
-
Shape: Flat circular disc with scalloped edge
-
Handle: Woven strap
-
Materials: Suede / DURACOT™ (select at purchase)
-
Profile: Low-profile, armpit-carry design
-
Suitable for: Puppies, young dogs, and full-size adult dogs
-
Brand: Dog Sport Supply Co. (DSSC)
-
Best for: Obedience, IGP/Schutzhund, French Ring, KNPV, PSA, puppy foundation work
Why Flat Matters — The Armpit Carry Explained
-
The problem with bulky toys: Standard tug toys and bite pillows are thick enough that tucking them under the arm pushes the elbow out and away from the body. That change in arm position is visible to the dog and can break focus, anticipation, and the cleanness of the reward delivery.
-
How the Disc fixes it: The flat profile sits flush under the arm without displacing it. Your arm stays in its natural position, your body language stays neutral, and the reward appears when you decide — not when your posture gives it away.
-
Better for heeling: Clean armpit carry is especially critical during precision heeling work. The Disc lets you maintain proper arm swing and body position throughout the exercise without compensating around a bulky toy.
Using the Disc With Puppies & Young Dogs
-
Low intimidation factor: Young dogs that hesitate on thicker, heavier toys often engage immediately with the Disc. The flat, lightweight profile is approachable and easy to grab, which makes it a strong starting point for building tug drive from scratch.
-
Building the out: The disc shape makes it easy to control the toy and disengage cleanly, giving you clear mechanics for teaching the out from the very first sessions.
-
Foundation habits: Teaching a puppy to tug on the same toy profile you'll use in adult training means no relearning later. The habits built on the Disc carry forward as the dog matures.
Suede vs. DURACOT™ — Material Guide
-
Suede: Soft, natural leather surface that most dogs find immediately attractive. Slightly more giving under bite pressure, which makes it a particularly strong choice for puppies and dogs being introduced to tug. Softens with use in a way most dogs respond to well.
-
DURACOT™: Dog Sport Supply Co.'s exclusive double-layer woven fabric. More resistant to surface wear and bite degradation than natural materials — the right call for dogs that train at high frequency and put serious pressure on their equipment session after session.
-
Not sure? Go Suede for puppies and foundation work. Go DURACOT™ if your dog is already a confirmed, hard tugger and durability is the priority.
Quick tip: During heeling work, practice your arm swing naturally with the Disc tucked before your dog is even present. If your arm position changes when the toy is there versus when it isn't, the dog will learn to read that difference. The whole value of the flat carry is neutrality — make sure you're actually delivering it.
Designed and built by Dog Sport Supply Co. for handlers who care about the details.
FAQs
Why does the shape of a tug toy matter for training?
In precision work — especially heeling — the handler's body position is part of the communication to the dog. A toy that changes how you carry your arm, how you move, or how your posture reads to the dog introduces an unintentional variable. The Disc is designed to eliminate that variable by sitting flat and neutral under the arm so your mechanics stay consistent whether the toy is present or not.
Is the Disc only for obedience and heeling work?
Not at all — the Disc works across protection sport, drive-building sessions, puppy foundation work, and general reward play. The armpit-carry advantage is most obvious in obedience and heeling contexts, but the flat profile, suede surface, and easy handler grip make it a solid everyday tug toy for any training scenario.
My puppy isn't interested in tug yet — will the Disc help?
The Disc is one of the better tools for introducing tug to reluctant or uncertain puppies. The flat, lightweight profile is non-intimidating and easy to grab, and the suede surface is highly attractive to most dogs. Pair it with movement — drag it along the ground, flick it away from the puppy — and let prey instinct do the work. Most dogs that hesitate on thicker toys will engage readily with the Disc.
Does the flat profile limit bite surface for larger dogs?
No — the circular shape provides ample bite surface for full-size adult dogs. The disc is flat in thickness, not small in diameter. Larger dogs bite across the face of the disc rather than around a cylinder, which is a different grip mechanics but not a lesser one. Many handlers find their adult dogs engage just as powerfully on the Disc as on traditional tug formats.
Which material should I choose — Suede or DURACOT™?
Suede is the more approachable surface — soft, natural, and attractive to most dogs right out of the box. It's the stronger choice for puppies, dogs new to tug, and handlers who want a toy that builds engagement quickly. DURACOT™ is the durability play — the double-layer construction handles high-frequency training and hard-biting dogs significantly better than natural materials over time. If your dog is already a committed tugger and you go through equipment regularly, DURACOT™ will last longer. If you're building drive or working with a younger dog, start with Suede.
