Dock Dog Diving
A water agility dog sport where dogs compete jumping for height, speed, or length being launched of a dock towards a pool or lake. The sport features replicas or mimicking of natural imprinted hunting and herding patterns of the exhibiting dog by triggering behavioral displays using an artificial toy and set up. Correctly done, it does benefit the psychological and physical well being of the animal by providing energetic outlets and solvable mental challenges a dog would apply in a fully natural environment. Lots of the required patterns can be found in dogs used for hunting work.
Also known as: Dock Jumping, Water Jumping, Diving Dogs

History
Competitive dock jumping first appeared in 1998 at the Incredible Dog Challenge. This event is an invitation-only national competition is produced and sponsored by the pet food manufacturer Purina. Since its inception, it has run annually. Dock Dogs was the first organization to be established as an event hosting body in 2000, that same year the Super Retriever Series was started. Other organizations that followed were Splash Dogs (2003), Ultimate Air Dogs (2005), the North American Diving Dogs (2014). The rules, regulations, venues, and settings between these organizations have a few very different approaches and it is important to go through the individual requirements and rule books of the organization as a review.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhocXxNndu8&feature=youtu.be

Docks & Setups
There are two forms of standard dock settings and one unique lake venue used to host competitions. Mobile docks are usually directly operated through the organization itself, primarily present in conjunction with the respective event: AKC cluster shows, local club outings, sponsored signature series. They exhibit on fairgrounds and some are for hire to host any other form of an event. The pool and dock are set out of a trailer and the water is filled from fire hydrants. The operating crew is usually strictly event focused.

Stationary docks are privately owned local institutions, almost all are affiliated with or sanctioned by one of the governing organizations (mentioned earlier). A typical competition is generously staffed by their owners, trainers, and other volunteers. Most are outdoors, however there are a small number of indoor facilities available as well. Due to the demand in the number of working staff during competitions, I have found the outdoor setting to be more advisable for novice dog owners transitioning into the sport showing the very first time.

The one single unique lake facility is Cross Creek Farm where the dock runs of the shore into a large 1 1/4 pond. It was one of the very first docks we visited due to the stunning fact that early on in Bernhardt’s career, he had not seen a commercial dock of any form. He is and was a purely pond/lake trained dog and the first time he ever jumped of a real show dock was at his very first competition at Ridgeville, Ohio in August of 2018. To create a logical gradually increase in his training and with the help of Google, we came to Cross Creek Farm. The set up is as natural as possible which I much prefer for training. The owners belong to a group of best diving trainers with exceptional skill in teaching the Air Retrieve discipline. Needless to say, we are big fans. You can find more detailed information regarding all docks and setups,what to expect from either venue, our experiences, the challenges we faced, and some personal recommendations in the designated blog posts.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

THE DISCIPLINES

Distance Jump
The dog jumps off of a 40-foot-long dock triggered by a toy of choice that can either be thrown into the water while the dog is already in motion or placed on the water the handler still holding on to the animal to then release after having set it at a starting point. Performances count on a very simple basic instinct level, so even low-skilled handlers can enjoy competitions and start their own fascinating journey and may even, like us, end up in a World Championship final one day.
Also known as: Big Air

Seed Retrieve
A standard bumper is suspended at the end of the pool and the dog will be launched from a designated line or starting square. The starting distance varies by organization and while one clocks the time from launch to taking the toy completely of the contraption, the other includes the return time to the exit ramp into their total. One measures mostly electronically, the other only hand stops. Breaking signal is an ample light or voice command. I find this discipline very dog-friendly due to low impact and guaranteed reward of pursuing the target.
Also known as: Hydro Dash

Air Retrieve
A standard bumper is suspended between two and four feet above the water surface, depending on the organization. One organization will move the toy in a minimum of one foot increments further off of the dock, while another organization will have it set at a standard eight feet off of the edge and raise it in height.
Also known as: Extreme Vertical

Welcome to Bernhardt’s Journey: An Experience in American Dock Dog Diving! This project was created by the combined passion of Alex Gerding and his dog Bernhardt; the eagerness to learn and awareness that study never ends; and the adventures, experiences, impacts, and challenges along the way. The journey reflects a deep desire for not only improving the sport of diving dogs or dock dog diving, but also providing useful information for others to find joy, educational material, philosophical incentives, and simply entertaining content surrounding the fascinating sport. Our mission is to provide tutorial and educational material for the dog sports enthusiast.

To read more about Alex and Bernhardt, please click here.

“No exhibiting animal shall serve solely as a tool or purpose of selfish human interest, nor is it plainly to be used to monetary capitalize from its performances at any cost.” – Alex Gerding

Workshops Clinics Training – one on one individualized to personal needs. Small or large groups, clubs or interest groups renting a dock or just working off the dock on common agility topics like overall fitness, reactivity, toy drive, pattern recognition and triggering using positive reinforcement methods.

Exploring individual environmental training grounds and how to work those. Starting and or improving Air Retrieve and Hydro dash. Beginner swim advice, safety and biomechanical observations. Explaining and improving performances analyzing body language of handler/dog and choosing the best throwing or placing techniques. Coaching through show outings.

Managing the reactive dog – leash reactivity, organizing traffic patterns and schooling individual foresight and awareness toward the environment and stress situations that might occur. Basic obedience, handler signals and commands. Introduction to neck friendly double leash technique, channeling energy towards handler, distraction techniques. Improving handlers confidence and body language.

Biomechanics & Bodywork – fundamental study and assessment of movement, purity of al gaits, stride length and ground cover. Body usage, straightness, muscles build up and elasticity. Active body conditioning, building strength, following through with veterinarian’s physical rehabilitation programs upon consultation. Massages and wellness packages. Full fitness programs and services.

Video study – evaluation & training/performance input. Submit with a brief description of issues,input or overall critique/review you would like to be addressed.

Behavioral Study & Communication – reading body language of dog/handler combination or individually. Breaking down established relationship patterns that are leading to improvement of performance and behavior or impacting or hindering a progression. Identifying triggers or installed sequences following the principles of classical conditioning. Improving communication skills of the handler by understanding the body read, facial expressions, eye and coat displays, movement and positioning. Realistic connectivity and true spiritual control based upon scientific observations and decades of experience in the feel your animal field – no psychic reading.

All studies, assessments, training suggestions and observations come with a written evaluations and findings protocol that clients can go back to for references.  

Advertisement – work with us contributing useful and educational material in your field of expertise. Feature your facility or training ground to create a transparent easy to locate resource for interested customers. During our career that was one of the things I found great demand for but little one click info. Demonstrate a particular training pattern or just place your logo or business card. Receive a special write up or article designed towards your business.

Sponsorship – support our cause and journey being an active promoting team to support the American Staffordshire and Pitbull crosses and true breeds. Bernhardt is one of very few of his kind on the national dock diving circuit having himself established on top of the board many times in his still very short career. He has always tried, worked hard and overcame a lot of hurdles. He still has a long life and career ahead and there is so much more he can or could do to show the world a difference. We are very interested in scent/nose work which he shows great talent for. One day he might help to save a human life being educated and trained accordingly to his true talents and ability. That would be a real dream come true for me – and him. Thank you in advance for considering patronage in our journey to not only show, compete and educate but also actively protecting the integrity of animals in sports and the monitoring and improvement of the actual conditions, rules and regulations that are established through the hosting enterprises.

Freelance Writing services – in accordance to your personal needs, descriptions, expressionistic desires or advertising needs I can design a draft article or write up.  Whether it is philosophical, material, an ideology or real time journalistic work feel free to contact me for that type of service.