Train a Dog in Dock Diving
Dock diving is quickly becoming one of the most popular dog sports. It is a fast-paced, high-flying sport in which dogs of all breeds compete to see who can jump the furthest from a raised platform into the water. Any dog with a good toy drive and a love of the water can compete in dock diving, and training a dog to properly perform the sport can be a simple and interesting adventure.
Instructions
1. Select an appropriate body of water. You will need a pond or lake that is deep enough for your dog to land safely in and is free of obstructions or underwater hazards. The water source does not need to be overly large, just deep enough that your dog will not hit the bottom when she jumps in.
2. Check your dog to be sure she enjoys the water. Toss her favorite toy in a couple of times and watch to assure she goes in after it with joy and enthusiasm. A dog that enjoys the water will be much more successful in dock diving than one who doesn’t.
3. Find a toy that your dog is absolutely crazy about. Any type of toy that he really likes and will float is a good choice. Hunting dummies or bumpers are the training toy of choice for many people because they float and are easy to see, but use whatever your dog prefers.
4. Place your dog in a sit next to you and show her the toy. Shake the toy and tease her a little with it to get her excited and throw the toy into the water. Encourage her to jump in after it.
5. Call your dog back to you and repeat the exercise until your dog is consistently jumping in after the toy with enthusiasm. Your dog will need to stay excited and motivated in order to achieve the most distance from his jumps.
6. Introduce your dog to the dock or ramp when he is consistently diving in after his toy. In competition the dog will dive from a raised platform into the water, so associating your dog with the raised platform early in training will avoid any troubles later. Continue working him off of the dock until he is performing with no fear or hesitation every time.
7. Sit your dog approximately ten feet from the edge of the dock and ask him to wait. Walk to the edge of the dock, wave your dog’s toy and enthusiastically call and encourage him to run towards you. As he reaches you, throw the toy into the water so that your dog dives off of the dock. This speed and running jump will allow your dog to gain the most distance before hitting the water, a move vital to winning in competition.
8. Continue building your dog’s speed to the end of the dock until she is running at his maximum speed when she jumps into the water. Make sure she is jumping from the end with enough speed that she is getting good distance before she enters the water. Keep training sessions short and frequent and you will have a successful dock diving competitor before you know it.
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