anyone into dock dogs?

[my boy blitz]

Just curious if anyone is into the dock dog scene? Id really love to get my boy into it. So far I have his sit and stay to a science while I walk to the spot he would jump from. I also have him running from his spot and jumping at the line to catch his ball. Only problem is that jumping into water is his kryptonite. He will run a few feet into water from the shore of a river/lake but hates deep water. I havnt yet been able to get hold of any sort of dock to actually try to get him to jump off of either lol. I've been to some dock dog events and it seems as though labs pretty much own the sport but blitz can jump 6 to 7 feet straight up from a seated position (he has jumped over the 6ft tall kennel in the past to get out because he felt play time wasn't as over as I had thought). So I figure with a running start he might have decent potential. Any blue heeler dock dogs out there?

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

Will he swim at all ? That is where I would start.

My dogs compete in splash dog events (we don't commonly do Dock Dogs). Where are you located?

 

[my boy blitz]

He will swim if I carry him out to deep enough water he can't touch. But as soon as I let him go he swims directly to shore and then looks at me like I tried to murder him lol. Located in north eastern ohio

 

[stardogs]

My Kes is a cattle dog and he's doing well in DD events. I've started my Malinois, Aeri as well, but she's not jumping off of strange docks yet, just our regular practice dock.

I found putting a life vest on my dogs when they are first starting out swimming really helps. It gives them extra confidence and keeps their head from going under if they jump in, too.

Kes has always liked the water, but Aeri was slower to get in. We did a LOT of retrieving from shore and graaaadually threw the toy further out as she got more confident - she started swimming without really realizing it.

I have a blog (in my siggy) that I'm planning to keep updated for people to see our progress and get some extra info - feel free to check it out and see if there's anything there that might help.

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

Awww, you need him to *like* water! Poor guy will never learn to enjoy water if you keep dragging him in and making him panic.

Here is one method

Teaching a dog to swim:

To start a dog swimming the best idea is to go out in a pool or lake where you can enter the water with your dog. Many dogs will be more confident if you are standing with them if they are nervous about venturing out on their own. So by walking out, you can build their confidence before letting them go on their own. Bring a favorite toy with you and encourage them out further by tossing the toy short distances and swimming over to it.

Some tips:

Bring another dog who knows how to swim along to help encourage your pet to try.

Some dogs can be helped by wearing a life vest (dog swimming life jackets). These usually have handles that you can hold onto easily which help in lifting your dog out of the swimming pool or lake.

Water Freaking

Here is a common problem. Your pup goes off and won’t come back. You have two choices, swim out and get them, or wait until they get tired and come back. Never let them off leash and away from you until you know for a fact they will return or start in shallow water where you can go get them should you need to.

I use a two toy approach to retrieving and swimming. I always keep one close by so I can toss it near me. Try to make a lot of noise to get their attention and toss it into the shallow water. Tennis balls are not the best choice as they can get lodged in the throat blocking the airway. I really like kong retrieving toys or retrieving bumpers.

 

[Lizmo]

We compete in DockDogs. Loving it!

But yeah, the dog has to go into the water by himself, so pushing, throwing, etc. Try doing some simple exercises with throwing his toy into the water.

Also, don't be afraid to bring a dog that has never jumped before to a DockDogs event. Lots of great people to help you out during 'Open Dock' between waves where anyone can practice.

 

[my boy blitz]

Blitz's older brother byron (our dobe) loves to swim, so do most of his other playmates. I've tried most of the above mentioned tips except the life jacket. Ill try and find one and see what he thinks about it

 

[nikkiluvsu15]

I *want* to be in dock dogs, but there are never any events close enough to me One of these days we WILL get to an event though!!

Plus - Harleigh takes dock diving literally :rofl1: At least she makes the effort and she IS getting better at it Its really, really fun practicing with her too!!

IMG_5684 by AdventuresOfACrazyLab, on Flickr

 

[my boy blitz]

I *want* to be in dock dogs, but there are never any events close enough to me One of these days we WILL get to an event though!!

Plus - Harleigh takes dock diving literally :rofl1: At least she makes the effort and she IS getting better at it Its really, really fun practicing with her too!!

IMG_5684 by AdventuresOfACrazyLab, on Flickr

Harleigh's swan dive is super cute. Wish we lived closer, maybe harleigh and blitz could aspire to dock dogdom together lol. I think next weekend im going to find blitz a life jacket and we will take him the jacket and the jolly ball to the lake

 

[Shai]

my Mira's into it

I'm into adoring how much she loves it

She normally plows into a lake so the formal dock-diving set-ups into a pool (where they are looking out at people and land beyond) is a very different picture. Still water though and she loves everything about it. She's only done one official dive weekend -- her PR is 19'10".

There was an ACD at the jump event we went to -- he was pretty good, and more importantly absolutely loved it

 

[lizzybeth727]

My trainer-friend is into dock diving with his dog, and he just built a regulation-size pool and dock at his facility to start teaching dock diving. Luna would hate it, no question, but I'd like to see if Keegan's interested. My friend is still working out the kinks, but maybe we'll be able to go out there a few times before the end of the summer.

 

[my boy blitz]

my Mira's into it

I'm into adoring how much she loves it

She normally plows into a lake so the formal dock-diving set-ups into a pool (where they are looking out at people and land beyond) is a very different picture. Still water though and she loves everything about it. She's only done one official dive weekend -- her PR is 19'10".

There was an ACD at the jump event we went to -- he was pretty good, and more importantly absolutely loved it

Im sure blitz would love it if only he gave it a chance, I've just got to find what motivates him to try it