Teaching your Dog to Dock Dive (The First Jump)

[Merriman]

Ok, ChocolateDawg, perhaps I did go a bit too far.
You've explained things very well.
In Australia animal hunting has been all but outlawed for decades. See following quote:

	SPCA Australia is opposed to the hunting of any animal for sport as it causes unnecessary injury, suffering, distress or death to the prey animal. The term ‘hunting for sport’ includes hunting with hounds, coursing, pig hunting, bow hunting and all forms of recreational shooting (e.g. kangaroo shooting, duck, quail and other game shooting).
	SPCA Australia advocates the use of cruelty-free alternatives to hunting sports such as lure coursing and drag hunting, where dogs chase a non-living lure or scent.

We have a duck season for a few weeks each year but protesters outnumber the ducks and virtually no one here is allowed to own a gun anyway.
As a consequence. most of our labradors are bred to be companion dogs.
Our working labs are primarily used by the visually impaired and customs officers.
My real concern regarding dock diving was that, after never having heard of it and then reading about it on this site, I kept getting this mental image of a TV news team investigating a spate of suicidal labs hurling themselves of piers, jetties cliff tops and the like, the day after a big dock diving meet!!!!!

[ChocolateDawg]

A dock diving dog would no more hurl himself off a jetty or cliff after a round of dock diving than your lab would run off crazy after a round of retrieving. Same thing.

I'm sorry about the hunting situation in your country. It's sad when dogs can't or aren't encouraged to do what they were bred to do and what is in their genes.

[LoveMyLab!]

I've seen really good dock dogs with absolutely no obedience at all. You can take your dog up on the dock on a leash, and if she doesn't sit, then you can use the "place and send" method.

That is SO TRUE!!!! Some of the best jumpers have a wild and crazy side all related to toy drive. I've seen dogs jump in and out of the pool from the sides not the dock!!!

I will have to say tho that from the events I have been at a 'sit stay' is what the best jumpers are doping (as they are crawling out of their coats to get that toy). it seems 'pop' is achieved better when they think they can get the toy in mid air and are jumping to get it.

'pop' gives more distance.

[Lablover3]

I know she would be a great dock lover just need to get her out to a dock more were she can practice she seems high spirited and wants to please,all labs aim to please.

[ChocolateDawg]

I will have to say tho that from the events I have been at a 'sit stay' is what the best jumpers are doping (as they are crawling out of their coats to get that toy). it seems 'pop' is achieved better when they think they can get the toy in mid air and are jumping to get it.

Correct. THat's why when practicing, it's a good idea to just throw a little short throw and let them catch it in mid air. It keeps then thinking they can catch it on the big throws.

At an event, I usually only give Sally one practice jump. And almost always it is a little short "catch it" throw. I want her thinking, "I'm going to catch that toy." Then during her wave, there is almost always great pop.

[jdog]

thanks for this info and link, very helpful.

[WhiteWingPuppy]

I'm adopting a Lab/Pit puppy. Does anyone know if they are usually any good at dock diving? I'd love to train her.

[Rondo913]

I think my pup Rondo would love Dock Diving, Do you know of any around Boston where i can look more into it?

[ChocolateDawg]

Originally Posted by Rondo913

I think my pup Rondo would love Dock Diving, Do you know of any around Boston where i can look more into it?

I know they've been trying to get a club started in the Boston area and have been looking for interested people. I don't know the contact people, but if you contact Christen at DockDogs, she can point you in the right direction.

Tell her ChocolateDawg sent you!

christen@dockdogs.com

[Remituck]

Do you know of any classed in New Hampshire?

[ChocolateDawg]

Unfortunately, there are no DockDogs clubs up your way at present. There are, however, several very interested people.

Contact Christen at DockDogs and she can help point you in the right direction.

christen@dockdogs.com

And keep an eye on the DockDogs event calendar for events near you.