DS120: Fly Farther: Dock Diving Skills and Strategies
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Course Details
This class gives you a blueprint system to address all of the common issues in dock diving dogs, as well as strategies for correctly introducing new dogs to the pool or advancing more experienced competitors to the next level. If you are new to the sport, need help troubleshooting, or have a dog with a lot of potential that you want to advance smoothly and thoughtfully, for best results in dock diving- you’ll want this class!
Lectures cover common introduction strategies: To the pool, to the dock, to each type of specialty event in dock diving. They will provide troubleshooting plans- both to help you understand what is causing an issue such as early take-offs, hesitations, or slips- and specific plans to solve those. By popular request, this class addresses considerations about over-arousal while waiting or moving TO the dock, or while being held/staying. You’ll also find strategic considerations that can help build your dog’s confidence, power, and jump size. And you’ll learn how to make the best use of practice time at the dock, at the lake, or at home- in order to actually progress your training rather than mindless jump after jump with no real purpose. Preserve your dog’s body and mind -and your pocket book- and make each jump count in a way that is more fun for both of you!
To make the most of this class, you’ll want access to a dock with good traction once per week during the 6 week class term. A half hour rental slot at your local dock diving pool or a trip to your lake, if the boat dock is safe to jump from, will give you more than enough time to get your dog’s training in with some maintenance training that you can work on between pool visits. Should you have more regular access to a pool or swimming area during the class, you could certainly make use of those too.
Teaching Approach
This class offers a hybrid approach- with the bulk of the instructional lectures released all at once at the start of the semester as a basic blueprint guideline. Students will have the option to work through each lesson, which comprises of written instructions and video demonstrations, or get guidance and specialized help with troubleshooting a particular issue- 'handler's choice' style! Supplemental lectures may be added throughout the term, inspired by students with progressions or problems that require a unique approach.
Syllabus
0.0 Getting Started in Class
- Strategic Use of Pool Time
- Toy Drive
- Toy Skills
- Restraint and Handling
- Warm Up/Cool Down Routines
- Reverse Engineering Optimal Arousal
1.0 Swimming and Pool Introductions
- Swimming Intro- Natural Water Bodies
- Swimming Intro - Pool
- Rampwork before Dock Diving
- Intro to Dock
2.0 Distance (Long Jump) Event Skills
- One Stride at a Time
- Precision Starts
- Weight Shifts and Initial Strides
- Place and Send
- Run and Gun
- Chase and Catch
3.0 Throwing
- Throw Styles
- Throw Timing
- Thrower Positioning
4.0 Speed Events
- Teaching Mark
- Backchaining a Fast Return
- Startline Setup
5.0 Suspended Toy Events
- Introducing the Rig
- Transferring to the Dock
- Striding
- Plan B
- Strategic Training
6.0 Fast Fetch
- First Throw
- Transitions
- Putting it Together
7.0 Troubleshooting
- Stays
- Scrambling Starts
- Early Take Offs
- Hesitations
- Flat Jumpers - Shaping a Pop
- Slips and Falls
Prerequisites & Supplies
This class is best suited for dogs who have already been introduced to swimming, and have a strong interest in retrieving toys. Previous experience at a dock diving pool specifically is not required. Dogs already training and competing in dock diving will find a lot of value in this class with troubleshooting lectures designed to fill in foundation skill holes, and improve individual skills for better jumps.
- Access to a Dock- to make the most of this class, you'll want to be able to access a dock that is safe for your dog to jump from. This could be a competition dock diving pool, a boat launch, or canine swimming facility. Pool/dock do not need to be competition length- we can adjust for that- but we do need appropriate traction that will not be slippery when wet. You may be able to bring portable turf or matting to a local lake dock to make it usable if no other options are convenient.
- Floating toys that your dog enjoys retrieving. For distance events, use whatever toy your dog prefers and is easy to throw. I recommend checking your competition leagues to ensure you are also training with any toys that are mandatory for specialty events. Depending on the league, this may include:
- Dokken Double String Foam Bumper
- Nerf Competition Stick
- Atlas Air Retrieve Bumper
- Some exercise will make use of a couple of pool noodles placed over a firm rod (pool net handle, etc)
Sample Lecture
Introducing the Rig (AR/Vertical).... Go to the ramp!
The ramp is the ideal place to introduce our dog to grabbing the suspended toy off of the rig because it eliminates the 'edge' and makes focusing on the toy that much easier.
You'll need some hand-held version of a rig for this- it's as easy as tying a couple of strings to a pool net handle, add a couple of dollar store clothespins, and you're all set.
The video below shows how I grow this skill on the ramp. It often helps the dog realize that their toy is available if, for the first few times, you dip the toy into the water- then they can follow it visually as your helper raises it up.
- First fairly low but off the water- out far enough that the dog can't reach it if they stand on the ramp
- gradually raise height
- then add a little further distance from the ramp with the added height.
- Before moving to the dock, eliminate the toy dip
We are looking for the dog to launch confidently for the toy. This can take just a few repetitions for some dogs... and several sessions for other dogs. They are not ready to progress to the dock if they are inching up to the rig and trying to reach for it before jumping or if there are any sorts of hesitations prior to grabbing it. The benchmark of launching confidently is not worth rushing, it is a true indicator of readiness before moving to the dock for our next steps.
Instructor
Erin Lynes
Faculty
Erin (she/her) is a lifelong dog enthusiast from Quesnel, British Columbia, Canada. Erin is certified as a Karen Pryor Academy Training Partner, a Certified Professional Canine Fitness Trainer, a Licensed Family Dog Mediator, and as a Cani-Fit Leader, ...