First jump

[Zecrom]

Today in Lancaster PA, Remi made her first jump off of a dock. It was at a Dock Dogs event, hosted by Keystone Dock Dogs. For never going off a dock before, people were surprised that she went off the regulation with no hesitation. She landed at a modest 5' 6". Not bad for a 6 month old with no training or experience I think. The second jump was not so easy. Since she knew there was a drop there, she needed a little coaxing in to get her toy. No I did not nudge her in. I think with some more time in the water, we may have another to add to the clan. We had a blast, and Remi is completely wore out. Thank you to everybody that was there.

Sorry just realized I posted in the wrong area. Please move if necessary.

[bett]

i didnt realize that they should be doing jumping at such a young age.

[Zecrom]

6 months is the minimum age for Dock Dogs. It was just for fun. Not competing yet.

[REWOPJMP]

Sounds like fun, I wish something like that was around here. Hondo would be great at it.

[Moniker]

Pippa tried her first jump at six months too. I think she would really like it. Maybe next summer. Congratulations to your girl.

[gman0046]

Six months is the perfect age to start. Why wouldn't you want to start doing something they love to do. If you could see a close up of our Molly in my Avatar you would see a smile on her face.

[bett]

i only asked because i dont know the age that is appropriate for their bones and stuff. that's all.

[Zecrom]

I would assume that if it wasnt good for them the age would be higher.

[Nallah06]

Originally Posted by bett

i only asked because i dont know the age that is appropriate for their bones and stuff. that's all.

It concerns me a bit too, Bett.

I wish they'd move it up to a year.

Although its a relatively low impact sport, the first part of them flying and roaring down the dock is what concerns me.

[Maxs Mom]

As a handler, with my dog, I started her at 5 months, keeping her short on the dock no full speed running, but allowed her to get used to jumping in. Confidence work. We went to several events to practice but she did not enter her first competition until 9 months, that was a short dock competition, so even then in practice I started half way, then let her have the full dock. I was not concerned about speed, just the confidence again.

You have to know your dog and their confidence and ability. The Dock Dog record for the youngest dog is 5 months (before they raised it), a 5 month old female lab at one competition got her title, that happened to be her master title too. She jumped over 19' her first time off the dock and never looked back. She was an incredible dog, her name was Katrina.

[Rose]

wow. I had no idea there was even such a thing as "Dock diving". I must seriously look into this. 4 weeks ago Wilson (1st time on lake with us, have only had him since last fall) flew off a lake dock (too cute) but struggled to get back up on it. wrong. Last week he jumped off an ocean dock, 3' to water- I didn't want him to (and thot he would not...famous last words) but he saw swirling kelp and there he went.. the 1st time it went ok- he swam to shore (low tide.) the 2nd time- I was on shore with a 3 y.o. and saw him run to the dock and about to jump- couldn't stop him and he did - ended up huddled in cribwork under dock until we got a zodiac to rescue him 15 minutes later! cold water (did I mention Maine) and strong current (yikes) we must channel that dock diving energy properly and this may be how it seems!!!!

[Firedog]

I started my dog at 6 months jumping off the dock at our lake house and also our deck into the pool. The dock at the lake is pretty much the same as at Dock Dog events.

We entered her in her first competion in Illinois in July when she was 8 months old.

Her first jump was 10'9" and the second was 12'1''. She did very well for her first event.

We'll probably enter every year.

Can't keep this dog out of the lake or our pool. She absolutely loves it and will just fetch her ball and jump literally all day

[ChocolateDawg]

There are a lot of DockDog events up near Chicago. You should be able to let you dog have a lot of dock diving experience where you live.

Have you check into joining the Chicagoland DockDogs club?

Good luck....and have fun!

[Zecrom]

Well just a little update. This past sunday, Remi competed in her first true Dock Dogs event. She is getting ready to turn 9 months old. We went to Bloomsburg Pa, hoping that we would get a spot as pre-registration was closed. We got a spot and to my amazement, she was doing 15 - 16 feet in practice. Although when it was show time, she seemed a little distracted by the noise. Her first jump was 13' 8", and 13 even for her second. It was good enough for 4th in her wave, but that was as far as we went. We both had a blast, even with the bad weather. A couple more jumps like that and she will get her junior title. But seeing how it will be spring when the next competition comes around, she will probably jump right into senior. What fun and can't wait till the next one.

[yellerdogs]

Great Job in Bloomsburg and welcome to your new addiction BTW there is a new DD club coming to the area, eastern Ohio/western PA/WV. It will help bring a lot more events around us.

REWOPJMP- check the dockdogs website, they is supposed to be a new club coming to your area soon too.

Happy Jumping!