| Just like humans, us Labradors can be trained to | | | | thrown over the water. If the dog fails to catch |
| be really good at sports! There are many dog | | | | the toy, the jump is not counted. In addition to |
| sports available to Labradors, one of which is | | | | this, instead of the best jump of two jumps being |
| commonly known as "Dock Diving." Dock Diving is | | | | counted, the total dog's score is a combination of |
| an exciting new sport that introduces a | | | | the distance of each successful jump. This is an |
| competitive aspect to the Labrador Retriever's | | | | extremely difficult event for many dogs, and right |
| natural water abilities. We get to compete against | | | | now, is the hardest event to be held at Dock |
| other dogs, just like with human sports! There are | | | | Diving competitions. This is also a very new |
| a lot of events in the dock diving sport, each of | | | | event, only being introduced into Dock Diving |
| which test a different aspect of a dog's ability. | | | | competitions recently. |
| History | | | | Labradors Are Perfect For Dock Diving Sports |
| Officially, Dock Diving has only been a legitimate | | | | Aside from being wonderful family pets, us |
| competitive dog sport for about nine years. In | | | | Labradors also love the water! This is one of the |
| 2000, the sport was first developed, when an | | | | reasons that we make such great waterfowl |
| event named "Big Air Dogs" was used as a side | | | | hunting dogs, and are preferred by waterfowl |
| entertainment event at the premiere of ESPN's | | | | hunters. Our fur has two layers, which help us to |
| "Great Outdoor Games". "Big Air Dogs" was so | | | | be insulated from any moisture. The outer layer |
| incredibly popular, that fans of the sport helped to | | | | of our fur is coarse and oily, which gives us our |
| make it an actual competitive event. In the past | | | | water-resistant properties. The inner layer of our |
| nine years, Dock Diving has been increasing in | | | | fur is soft and thick, insulating our skin from |
| popularity, with more and more events being held | | | | changes in temperature. Also, we have webbed |
| each year. | | | | skin between our toes, which gives us great |
| Events | | | | swimming abilities in the water. Aside from this, |
| Every year, there have been more and more | | | | we have an instinctual love of the water, and will |
| fans of the dock diving sport attending | | | | usually eagerly participate in any water-based |
| competitions. With this, more events have been | | | | activity. |
| developed since the sport's founding in 2000. Each | | | | Back in our breed's early development, we were |
| event tests a slightly different water skill, so it's | | | | used by English fishermen to help retrieve fish |
| very important to properly socialize your Labrador | | | | that had fallen off of the hooks. Also, because of |
| Retriever with the concept of swimming in a pool! | | | | our retrieval abilities, we were also able to help |
| Pool water looks different to Labradors, so if you | | | | fishermen drag in heavy fishing nets to shore. |
| want your Labrador to participate in Dock Diving, | | | | Since these nets were kept afloat by floating |
| try to train them beforehand. | | | | corks, we could grab the corks and swim with |
| Ultimate Vertical Event | | | | the net to land. These abilities made us quite |
| The Ultimate Vertical Event is an event that | | | | popular among fishermen, and our water-based |
| measures how high your dog can jump over the | | | | abilities were recognized by early Labrador |
| water. This takes a significant amount of physical | | | | Retriever breeders. Due to selective breeding, we |
| effort, much more so than distance jumping. | | | | retain these abilities to this day. |
| Usually, only one Ultimate Vertical event is held | | | | Training A Labrador For Dock Diving |
| during a Dock Diving competition, since many | | | | Training a Labrador Retriever to participate in |
| dogs would not have the necessary stamina to | | | | dock diving events is fairly simple, since our |
| complete two events. During this event, a small | | | | instinctual abilities help us to naturally be |
| rubber dog toy is suspended high above the | | | | comfortable with water sports. However, |
| water, about eight feet above the surface of the | | | | swimming in a pool may take us a bit to get used |
| pool. Dogs are instructed to run and jump as high | | | | to, since it doesn't seem as substantial to us as |
| as possible to either knock the toy off the | | | | water in a lake or pond. Some veterinary facilities |
| suspension, or take it in their mouth. Each | | | | have pools that are specifically designed for use |
| separate round, the toy is raised two inches. Dogs | | | | by dogs, either for training or for therapy. Try |
| are allowed two jumps to try to knock the toy | | | | first getting your Labrador used to swimming in a |
| into the water. | | | | pool by bringing them regularly for water-based |
| Splash Event | | | | playtime. |
| This event tests how far a dog can jump into the | | | | A dog that participates in Dock Diving must also |
| water from the edge of the pool. Also known as | | | | be properly socialized to deal with loud noises, |
| "Distance Jumping", this event requires a dog's | | | | other people, and strange dogs. These are all |
| owner to lead their dog away from the pool, then | | | | present factors at a Dock Diving event, so try to |
| encourage them to jump as far as possible into | | | | first get your Labrador Retriever socialized. This |
| the pool. The distance is measured by the point | | | | will also help your dog to become more obedient, |
| at which the dog's tail hits the water. Each dog is | | | | and will allow you greater control in keeping their |
| given two jumps, and the longest jump of these | | | | attention. |
| two is recorded. | | | | Depending on which event you wish to train your |
| Catch It! Event | | | | Labrador Retriever for, there are many specific |
| Just like the splash event, the "Catch It!" event | | | | training programs available by Dock Diving |
| measures the distance that a dog can jump into | | | | competitive organizations. These programs will |
| the water. However, this event has an added | | | | instruct you in the specific rules of the events, |
| twist. In order for the jump to be counted, the | | | | and allow your dog to participate in the |
| dog also has to catch a rubber dog toy that is | | | | competition. |