Do you have a dog who loves to go bounding after the balls and toys you throw to him? Does your dog enjoy playing and swimming in the water? If so, you may have a potential dock dog on your hands and you won't believe how easy it is to get started. Here we will discuss the dock dog event in some detail, along with some training tips to get you started.
What is the Dock Dog Event?
The dock dog event is quickly becoming one of the more popular sports in the dog show circuit. In dock dog, dogs are "stayed" at the end of a long ramp (the dock) until they are released by their handlers. Going full speed, dogs race to the end of the dock and launch themselves into the water in pursuit of a floating toy. The dog that jumps the greatest distance without faulting is proclaimed the winner.
Unlike many dog events, the Dock Dog competition is open to any adult dog with no breed restrictions whatsoever. There are even classes of competition for smaller breeds and senior dogs. All that is required is a love of the water and the willingness to retrieve a toy.
Training for the Dock Dog Event
Dock dog preparation is not nearly as difficult or intricate as training for events such as obedience and agility, as there are fewer skills the dog must master. It is, however, a physically demanding sport and should only be undertaken by dogs in excellent physical health. Therefore it's important to consult your veterinarian before engaging in any dock dog training.
The first step in dock dog training is teaching the retrieve. Begin by practicing with your dog's favorite retrieving toy (one which can float) on dry land. Each time your dog successfully retrieves the toy, reward him with treats and praise. Continue with dry land training until your dog retrieves the object every time without encouragement.
Once the retrieve is mastered, it's now time to bring water into the equation. This is usually best accomplished by beginning with a very shallow body of water and by keeping the session very lively and upbeat. At first your dog may be timid, and that's to be expected, but you can help assure him, at least at first, by entering the water with him and splashing around. Remember to reward your dog each time he successfully retrieves the toy.
After your dog has become proficient in shallow water retrieval, you'll want to gradually increase the amount of water, culminating of course with a body of water in which swimming is necessary. This may be a bit of a challenge, but whatever you do, don't try to force or push your dog in the water. Instead, try luring him into the water by entering it yourself and holding the toy.
If the dog refuses to swim for the toy, revert back to a previous training session in shallower water until retrieval is successful. Give your dog plenty of praise and a treat for retrieving the toy as always. Remember it's always a good idea to end the training session on a positive note, even if the results were less successful than you had planned.
Once your dog has mastered the art of water retrieval, and is confident in swimming for his favorite toy, it's time to move on to dock training. The first step is to make sure your dog has mastered the "sit" and "stay" commands, as he will need to wait at the end of the dock before he is released. Practice these commands thoroughly until mastered before beginning any form of dock training.
When first starting out with dog dock training, be careful to start with smaller distances until your dog gets the hang of jumping from the platform. Reward your dog each time he successfully retrieves the toy, and gradually increase the distance with each training session.
Dock dog competitions are held at a variety of venues, including swimming pools and lakes, so it's very important that your dog is familiar with the type of setting in which he or she will be asked to perform. Dogs accustomed to training in swimming pools exclusively, for example, might not take well to jumping into a lake, so modify your training routines and locations to help make your dog feel more comfortable in every situation.
Dog dock competitions are a great way for dogs and their handlers to bond and are an excellent form of exercise, but if you plan to enter these competitions it's extremely important that you prepare your dog in advance. First, check with your vet to make sure your dog is healthy enough for training and then train gradually, working up to each new skill with plenty of praise and encouragement.
Hi I am Anne Law. Know the basics. Does your dog do a reliable Sit, Down and Stay? At my site, http://dog-training-matters.com/dove-cresswell-online-dog-training-review/ you can find out more about a proven dog obedience training system that will complement your dock dog training.