Dock dogs competitions perfect for canines that love to jump and swim

by Kristy Tiesing, posted May 6, 2010

Becky Berger of Columbia, Mo., said that she got her two Golden Retrievers into dock diving because it’s fun for her and the dogs and gives the dogs a great chance to exercise. Dock Dogs is broken into four disciplines in which a dog can compete. Extreme vertical jump, speed retrieve, big air and iron dog, which is a combination of all three.

Big air, the most popular of the three, is divided into different levels of skill so all dogs can have a fair chance. There is novice for new dogs and those that have jumped from one inch to nine feet 11 inches, junior for 10 feet to 14 feet 11 inches, senior for 15 feet to 19 feet 11 inches, master for 20 feet to 22 feet 11 inches, elite for23 feet to 24 feet 11 inches, super elite is for dogs that have jumped more than 25 feet.

Big air has dogs starting on the dock, running to the end and diving as far into the water as they can. Most trainers entice the dogs to jump by throwing a favorite toy into the water. Berger says she has three dogs that compete in Big Air: JJ, Twister and Ashley.

“JJ is my best dock dog. He’s been to probably 20 events; his best jump was 20 feet 1 inch. He’s competed in St. Louis, Kansas City, Lake of the Ozarks, several places in Iowa, Springfield, Illinois, Minnesota and Ohio,” Berger said “Twister, who is only eight months old, just went to his first event in St. Louis. Ashley doesn’t jump, but she comes and wears a Chase vest to raise money for Canine Cancer Research.”

Berger went on to explain that she has seen any type of dog from a Jack Russell to a Labrador to a Yorkie compete. Berger says any dog that likes to swim and loves to chase toys can dock dive. The only restriction is that the dog must be 6 months old.

The other events are a spin-off of Big Air. Speed Retrieve is a timed event. The dog has 18 feet of dock and 40 feet of pool to run, jump and swim to pull off a toy at the end of the pool. There are three divisions in this event that range from 34 seconds to 5.9 seconds and below. Extreme Vertical is a high jump that involves positioning a flappy (a toy) at a minimum of 4 feet 6 inches high hanging 8 feet out from the edge of the dock. The dog has 20 feet of dock to position itself to run, jump and grab/knock the flappy off.

Berger said she got into dock dogs after watching it on TV.

“I went to Cabelas in Kansas City to watch when nationals were there about four years back, and then I got a golden pup and decided to try it,” Berger said. Berger said she has met a lot of really great people from her participation in dock dogs. Such as the Gateway Dock Dogs Director Damian Kolbet from Illinois.

Kolbet has been competing with his 1-year-old chocolate Labrador since she was at the minimum age of 6 months. His lab, Cadbury, has achieved her senior title in Big Air and is halfway to her Masters title. Kolbet describes his participation in dock dogs as nothing short of addicting, as he referenced a tattoo of the logo on his calf.

“I got involved in dock dogs because Cadbury had a passion for the water; she loves to run, jump and swim. There isn’t a better sport out there that allows me to build a strong relationship with my best friend,” Kolbet said. Gateway Dock Dogs is a diving club located out of Troy, Mo. Berger says she hopes to someday start a club in Columbia.

“All you need is a place to practice, and a group of people interested. Then you have to contact the dock dog’s office and they will help you out,” Berger said. For a fun, competitive atmosphere, a chance to exercise your dog and build a relationship with your canine companion, Dock Dogs is the place to be.

For more info: www.gwdockdogs.com

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