Newcomer Question

[ChristinaWulff]

We took our 8 month old golden to a private dock jumping class for the first time tonight. She jumped in twice with no hesitation, and then after that would hang over the edge and slide in the other two times. After the four times in the pool, she wouldn't go back in no matter who we coaxed her.

We were a little disappointed, and actually surprised that our 7 year old golden with hip problems was more excited to jump in than our energetic puppy.

I know it was her first time, but I am just wondering how long it took others here to get their dogs to jump in without hesitation. It very expensive to rent the pool, so we're wondering how long we should give her to see if she is enjoying it as much as we are.

Any advice anyone could give us would be great too. And if anyone is in the Tampa area, we are looking for a buddy to rent out to the pool to maybe split the costs.

[SplishSplashCrash]

The first two times that she jumped in what happened once she was in?
-Did she panic?
-Have a hard time getting out?
-Was she able to get her toy?
-Did another dog interfere with her?
-Did she fall in or was she pushed?

The reason I ask is it sounds like she was confident and eager to begin and then lost her confidence as she jumped more. Next time you practice make sure she has a great experience and ends on a positive.

Here is an example of how to build a dogs confidence on the dock:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrdK6slL6PA

Start small and work your way up, always have a success at one stage before moving onto the next!

Every dog will progress in this sport at their own comfort level. Some dogs it takes one jump and others it could take 100.

Good luck :)

[aanr]

I was lucky to have a in ground pool so he got used to the water since he was a pup. Play with her in the water as much as you can. Praise Her alot. If you haven't gone to obediance school do so. Play Play Play. You could jump off a dock before she dose. Get her to come get you. There is a Splash dog contest this month down your way. Go ahead and take her there. You Can pay $10.00 to jump in the practice time or just enter and have fun with her.
Good luck,Have fun!
Kim

[Sassy Girl]

Sarah - that is a great video set!!! I love it!

If your dog's head went under the water during his first few jumps - that may be the issue for his hesitancy now. That seems to scare some dogs and I've seen this happen a lot, but..there is hope. I work w/a lot of dogs and my first question is always how is your dog's toy drive?

Your dog's toy plays a major role in the game. Especially for a dog that is not as confident in the water yet. If they can focus on the toy they won't think as much about the environmental stimuli - dock height, other dogs, fear of slipping under.

I build my toy drive away from the dock then take transfer it to the dock. I always start new dogs on the exit ramp - get them powering in that way first and I vary the throw - keeping it short in the first few and then increasing gradually until I see the dog is anxious and excited by the game. Then build up to the dock. If you can get him out to a lower dock that might help him as well and keep encouraging, remember not to ask for too much the first few times out and always have fun - if that means get in the pool w/the dog, then by all means get in w/them!

[ChristinaWulff]

We had both dogs get in the pool with the stairs the first time to get used to the pool. We tossed their ball around and let them play.

When they got out the puppy was eager to get back in, so when we threw the ball she happily went after it, jumping out several feet from the dock. She did that twice and it didn’t seem as anything negative happened, but for some reason after two times she was scared. She wanted very badly to jump back in, but would sort of edge her way off. Then she just wagged her tail and almost jumped a few times, but never did again.

My husband was in the pool the whole time and she was able to get the toys every time. We did not push her or force her at all.

Both dogs go to the beach usually all the time and are very comfortable with swimming long distances to play fetch, so as far as being happy with water, she loves it. (I have to work to keep her out of the tub).

I wanted to come to the contest in Ft. Myers, but I am nervous about whether my dog will know how to get out and everything. She’s only done it once, so I didn’t want to waste everyone’s time if she didn’t jump or needed help out. What is the protocol on that? Can I just come for practice? If so, what time is practice? Are there other people who enter and their dogs don’t jump or need help finding their way out?

Oh, and thanks for the toy drive stuff. I think we really need to work on getting her a toy only for the pool so she is super excited to have it.

[Katiesmom]

just be patient with the puppy, the golden breed is a tricky dog, one time they love it and the other time they want nothing to do with it. my golden hates crowd noise, she likes it silent like a golf game, lol.

take your puppy to the competition and practice her before the wave starts, their will be trained staff to help you out, it will cost you 10 dollars.

if your puppy is not sure about the dock again, splash the water where the toy is, sometimes the dogs can not see the bottom and think its a endless pitt. make sure you give lots of praise and be patient, your dog is going to feed off your energy

good luck, its always great to see more goldens

Katies Dad

[Kruml's Rudy]

When you go to the competition, take your dog off the exit ramp several times so that she becomes very comfortable getting in and out of the pool and feels confident with the whole situation. If she does not feel confident with the pool then she won't feel confident jumping in off the dock. Fun is the key.

We have a dock diving club located in So Cal and most of our new members just work on building confidence in their dogs. Baby steps. Like any dog sport patience and repetition is required.

For some reason several of the Goldens I have seen tend to do the same thing. They tend to want to find an easier way to get the toy and seem to think about it way to much. They are thinkers.

Keep working on the toy drive. You'll get there.

Listen to Sassy, she knows what she's talking about usually. HaHaHa :D.

Sarah, you need to make a video..........5 easy steps to dock diving :).

Great advice from everyone. Keep working on it and before you know it you'll be wondering how you became a dock diving addict.

[Lucy-tudeOn4Feet]

The unique thing about the Ft. Myers event, is that it is in a pond rather than the traditional pool. The dock will be regulation length and height, but there is no ramp. They just come up the bank of the pond, and its gradual, not steep. If I remember right, there is not even one specific place where they have to exit, just a broad area where they can exit. And this way, one of you can be down by the shore waiting and guiding her to where you want her to exit, while one of you is up on the dock. And you can jump her in from shore, too.
There will be lots of time for you to practice without feeling like you are interfering with the competitors. There is plenty of time between waves for everyone. And, the cool thing is, all the competitors really love to help the newcomers, and especially the puppies. After all, who can resist the puppies? Don't hesitate to go.

[MollyBGoode]

Hi Christina,

I thought your pup did very well for such a young dog doing something new. Rebel didn't want to jump when we first took him to the pool, but every time he went back he got a little bolder, now you can't keep him out!!

The Ft Myers event would be great for you to go to. The people down there are the ones that got us started and are a lot of fun. The pond would be a good place to play and have fun in the water.

[MyWorkingAussie]

Hi guys! I am brand new to the SplashDogs club and have a few questions, if you don't mind.

1) Does SplashDogs measure the jump at the base of the tail or at the nose?

2) Are there ever any events/clubs out on the East Coast (northeast to be exact)?

Thanks for any help you could lend. I would love to get involved if I can!

[SplishSplashCrash]

All dock diving organizations, Purina excluded measure at the base of the tail.

[Nelisa Page]

I've been looking online for any trainers in Arizona. Do you know of anyone here that I can get in contact with?

[Sassy Girl]

Come visit us at Cyno and we'll help you get started! There will be three pools and three docks!

[Nelisa Page]

Where is that at?

[SplishSplashCrash]

It is in Scottsdale, Arizona at Westworld.