Getting Started

No matter whether your an experienced dog handler, involved in other canine sports, or if you just got your first dog and you’re just trying to figure out how to tire him out so he’ll stop chewing up your shoes...everyone is welcome at Puget Sound DockDogs.

The best way to get started is to just bring your dog out to any event (whether is a competition or practice session). There are always plenty of volunteers on hand to get you pointed in the right direction and get your dog into that funny blue swimming pool for the first time.

After you have attended 2 events, practices, or meetings, you may then apply for membership with Puget Sound DockDogs. Practice sessions are always free for members. PSDD allows up to 3 free practice sessions, before requiring you to join our club. Membership dues are $35 a year, and $10 for additional family members. Membership has it’s privileges! For more information about membership CLICK HERE.

What to bring...

•Leash (no longer than 4 feet)
•Your dogs most treasured toy:

It must be floatable, non-sinkable toy (it cannot be food or animals; dead or alive)

•Poop bags
•Dog crate
•Plenty of towels for you and your dog
•Change of clothes for you (it does happen...people do fall in the pool...frequently)
•Your ‘ready for fun with your dog’ attitude, and a bit of humility (if you forget the humility part, your dog will do that for you later when you’re on the dock) ;-)

When you arrive...

No matter what type of event you are attending (whether a practice or competition), you dog should pee and poop before coming into the venue. During practice sessions, you will need to take your dog out to potty about every 15 minutes. It’s a lot less frequent during a competitive event.

You will need to register. During practices, PSDD generally has registration as you come in the door by the swimming pool. If you are planning on coming to a competitive event, you can register for any DockDogs or PSDD event online at www.dockdogs.com. Online registration assures you a spot on the dock with your dog. Online registration generally closes 3 days before an event. Registration can also be done on site. However, during the busy summer months sometimes registration can fill up, so register early during the event.

When you are registering or checking in at an event let them know this is your first time at a DockDogs event. When you first bring your dog to an event, they are going to either very excited...or very nervous. Don’t worry...EVERYONE has had a first event, and we all know how awkward it can feel at first! DockDogs is a very friendly sport, and there are always lots of volunteers that will help you understand the basics when you’re getting started. As you progress, don’t be afraid to ask for pointers. Many of the seasoned competitor enjoy helping you learn how to get that dog of yours to fly.

Making mistakes...

It happens...to everyone!!! Try to relax, and remember that you are here to have fun with your dog. Listen to onsite trainers, and know that they have helped to walk thousands of teams through the steps of teaching your dog to fly. But most importantly...really...is to have fun and make this a positive experience for you and your dog.

I must be brave...and then I can fly!

When you turn on the TV and tune in to watch DockDogs fly through the air, you are witnessing a confident dog who loves to jump. That level of confidence sometimes comes easier, and faster, to some dogs than others. Training is the key to getting the best performance out of your dog. But generally speaking, if your dog loves to chase or retrieve a toy and loves to swim (even better if they like to do them together), than you might just have a DockDog on your hands!!!

There are 3 different games that we like to play:

★Big Air - The long distance jump for dogs
★Extreme Vertical - The high jump for dogs
★Speed Retrieve - Fastest dog to the end of the pool

BIG AIR BASICS (BA)

Big Air is essentially the long jump for dogs. Big Air is essentially the base of the sport, and is the most prevalent aspect of any DockDogs event. Owners are allowed to throw a floatable toy or object (must not be edible, alive, or dead animal) in to the pool for their dogs to retrieve. Dogs have the use of the entire dock surface (up to 40’) in which they can run and jump into the pool. The dogs distance is measured at hind end of the dog, at the base of the tail, where it first breaks the surface of the water. A dog does not have to retrieve the toy in order to obtain a score.

EXTREME VERTICAL (EV)

Extreme Vertical (usually referred to as EV) was first introduced in 2005 as a competitive game. Prior to that, it had been used as a training method to teach dogs to jump upward for their toys; in order to obtain greater distances in Big Air. In Extreme Vertical an ‘EV Rig’ is used to suspend a Dokken, double stringed, puppy foam bumper, up in the air. During competition, the bumper is required to be suspended 8’ out from the edge of the dock, and at a minimum of 4’ 6” high (measuring from the bottom of the bumper). Dogs may begin at any height, but must make a successful ‘grab’ (given 2 attempts) in order to continue to the next height. The bumper is gradually raised by 2” increments, until finally there is only one dog remaining.

SPEED RETRIEVE BASICS (SR)

Speed Retrieve is a relatively new game, and was first introduced to through DockDogs National in the 2008 season. During Speed Retrieve a Dokken Dead Fowl Trainer (DFT), a foam-like duck, is suspended a few inches above the water at the end of the pool. Handlers then line the dogs up at the 20’ mark on the dock, just behind an infrared beam. The apparatus used to suspend the duck has yellow and green lights. Similar to car racing, the yellow lights will blink to signal that it’s about time to start. Once the green light is lit up, you would release your dog and encourage them to retrieve the DFT duck. If you were to let your dog go before the light has turned green, you would be disqualified. Time is measured from the second the green light comes on until the dog pulls the DFT duck completely away from the apparatus, therefore breaking the magnetic connection. Dogs do not have to make a compete retrieve of the DFT duck.

Check out our recent PSDD Speed Retrieve pre-practice homework: