Asquared
01-20-2008, 07:31 PM
So this weekend we went to a Dock Dogs event in Chicago, and tried out the newest sport, Speed Retrieve. Alex jumped in every single big air wave that day and also had about 8 practice jumps (about 16 total). I really didn't plan on putting him Speed Retrieve because I figured he'd be cooked.
He seemed to have some gas left so I put him in at the last minute. He LOVED it! We did one practice jump, and then the actual competition jump. Practice was not timed so I had no idea how he did.
Basically, you show the dog a duck hanging out over the water (it is at the end of the pool, and a few inches off the water). Then bring the dog back to the 20 ft mark, and wait for the timer to say "Go". Time starts at "Go" and ends when the duck is pulled down. In the future, there will be a Christmas tree light set up (drag strip style) and I cannot wait. :D (I used to drag race in my pre-dog days).
We were in the first group to jump... times were ranging from 40 seconds to 7 seconds. Alex's first run out was 6.54 I believe. He LOVED it. His second time he nailed a 6.30. We made top 8 finals and jumped again. He was the fastest of the 8, in first place. Technically (according to Dock Dogs rule book) he should have won, and that was that. (with a 6.32) BUT... this was the first time the sport had been held and the rules were not clear. The people running the event told us to come back the next day (today) and have a final 3 jump off.
About 1am Alex and Abby woke us up, crying and groaning. We turned the lights on and they are both standing in the middle of the bedroom...and both of them have cold tail. :( It was a long night, lots more crying and neither of them could get comfortable. It was strange how alike they were with their mannerisms and whining. I got NO sleep and this morning they were even worse. So Grant went back to get our stuff and I stayed home with them.
So, no final 3 jump off for Alex. That's ok, he had a blast and I cannot wait to save up his energy and try this again. I am quite impressed with him as we gave them the winter off (just agility 1x a week). He still had something left in him after that day yesterday, and Extreme Vertical on Friday night! It must be the food :D
Kisses to my Chops... always makin' Momma proud. :) My dogs do not really care for indoor events, in fact last year at this same event, Alex refused to jump at first!
I think his best Big Air was a 21'9 and Abby's best was a 21'. They both would have made finals but those were today as well. :( Alex snagged 3rd in EV at 6'6" and Abby grabbed 6'4".
Here he is doing the Speed Retrieve. (watch him lock eyes on the duck... it's pretty cool!)
<object height="355" width="425">
<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LnduJDg6LnA&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></object>
Here's another, not his best jump at all, but it was the only part of the tape I've uploaded so far. I think this was a 20'11".
<object height="355" width="425">
<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Xd4iqwzE4Ug&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></object>
He seemed to have some gas left so I put him in at the last minute. He LOVED it! We did one practice jump, and then the actual competition jump. Practice was not timed so I had no idea how he did.
Basically, you show the dog a duck hanging out over the water (it is at the end of the pool, and a few inches off the water). Then bring the dog back to the 20 ft mark, and wait for the timer to say "Go". Time starts at "Go" and ends when the duck is pulled down. In the future, there will be a Christmas tree light set up (drag strip style) and I cannot wait. :D (I used to drag race in my pre-dog days).
We were in the first group to jump... times were ranging from 40 seconds to 7 seconds. Alex's first run out was 6.54 I believe. He LOVED it. His second time he nailed a 6.30. We made top 8 finals and jumped again. He was the fastest of the 8, in first place. Technically (according to Dock Dogs rule book) he should have won, and that was that. (with a 6.32) BUT... this was the first time the sport had been held and the rules were not clear. The people running the event told us to come back the next day (today) and have a final 3 jump off.
About 1am Alex and Abby woke us up, crying and groaning. We turned the lights on and they are both standing in the middle of the bedroom...and both of them have cold tail. :( It was a long night, lots more crying and neither of them could get comfortable. It was strange how alike they were with their mannerisms and whining. I got NO sleep and this morning they were even worse. So Grant went back to get our stuff and I stayed home with them.
So, no final 3 jump off for Alex. That's ok, he had a blast and I cannot wait to save up his energy and try this again. I am quite impressed with him as we gave them the winter off (just agility 1x a week). He still had something left in him after that day yesterday, and Extreme Vertical on Friday night! It must be the food :D
Kisses to my Chops... always makin' Momma proud. :) My dogs do not really care for indoor events, in fact last year at this same event, Alex refused to jump at first!
I think his best Big Air was a 21'9 and Abby's best was a 21'. They both would have made finals but those were today as well. :( Alex snagged 3rd in EV at 6'6" and Abby grabbed 6'4".
Here he is doing the Speed Retrieve. (watch him lock eyes on the duck... it's pretty cool!)
<object height="355" width="425">
<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LnduJDg6LnA&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></object>
Here's another, not his best jump at all, but it was the only part of the tape I've uploaded so far. I think this was a 20'11".
<object height="355" width="425">
<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Xd4iqwzE4Ug&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></object>