We don’t have the luxury of having a diving dock facility in closer proximity – most folks actually don’t – and had to get creative designing training scenarios using whatever is or was available within our personal environment. Being an animal trainer all my life, understanding the importance of pattern recognition that connects to signals and aids (body language, sounds, voice commands) , I had to design set ups and training challenges that were fun, challenging, strengthening and most important protective towards soundness issues. Bernhardt for example has a signature move he loves to do : the football tackle, featured in one of the videos on this blog, a move replicating taking a target down. That particular move was in fact one of the big drivers leading us into the sport of dock diving to not take instincts away but creating a softer landing spot. So here are some training snippets we work on :
The Warm up featuring – “THE TACKLE“
The tackle is a by nature imprinted replica of a hunting technique taking the target down
The warm up routine can vary based on what we are working on. Before we do anything there will be a substantial walk interacting with the toy of choice, eventually some stretches, short little runs and accelerations – together – and small tiny jumps into the toy held by hand. After that we look for smaller obstacles to work with like this little log on the ground and work that or similar a few times to than step up a notch to a higher obstacle. I personally do not like my dog to land a lot on his forehand, it puts quite some weight on it and seems contrary to stretching out in the air so I keep those exercises as brief as possible. “The tackle” needs to be very closely monitored but not suppressed being a natural instinct driven move. There is a good amount of injury risk in it and seemingly self preservation had surrendered pure prey hunting conditioning. It is not always preventable or avoidable, Bernhardt however is quite skillful doing it and seems to take great pride in his action.
To be successful in all disciplines of dock Diving a strong play/prey (toy) drive is extremely important and the foundation towards any progression in difficulty. I really want my dog to pursue the target to his very best ability and not to give up easily. He has to feel good, naturally confirmed and accomplished in his activity, so whatever display and technique nature equipped him with – I take it. My responsibility as a trainer is simply to make sure the moves do not go out of control or are repeated way to often or unreasonable. Soundness is always ultimate priority.
Teaching the basic jump patterns is not very hard, using correct gestures, incentives – toys,treats, sounds – precise placing, distances and instant rewards. Jump courses are a total different ball game, it is more about putting the individual pieces together.
DOCK DOGS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS FINALIST 2020 !!”The” Bernhardt did it. We were in the October 25/2020 top six Speed Retrieve Express finals in Dubuque, Iowa !!
In a stunning upset to be remembered the little American Staffordshire mix rescue from Texas had to deal with a very sleepy 0.85 reaction time of his handler to eventually take over the reins. Upon release he leaped in a gigantic effort close to the 20 ft TWENTY FEET mark and took roughly 9 energetic swim strokes to take the bumper down. His swim time ended up being 6.856 seconds starting from half the 40 foot dock.
There would be a lot more to write here – all the hurdles and obstacles along the way plenty – but for now I leave with Kimberly Cheney s words looking at the than six months old puppy that was in rough shape just being found wandering lonely along the roadside – “There is something really special about this dog…..I just can’t point to what that is” Well here it is some of it – a true ambassador for his kind that will go all out with a heart to overcome the likes we rarely ever see.Keep on my friend show us how it’s done in your world and thank you for paving our road to finals – wasn’t me much to get there !
SECOND QUALIFIER – having a hard time letting go !!
October 25/2020 the finals !
8.247 SECONDS – TWICE !! CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FIVE OTHER FINALISTS BEATING US AT THE 2020 DOCK DOGS WC – well done !!In the end we ended ranking sixth out of forty competitors having made it to the final round – Bernhardt swam two IDENTICAL times at 8.247 which might be a consistency record of its own. For us, from where we started, our on rare occasions rather humbling level of experience, the total ground zero we had to launch from created at the NADD Nationals just two weeks ahead of worlds, make my dog and I champions no matter the place nor the prize really – just having done the entries would have been great !
SPEED EXPRESS WC 2020 – final run
In the final round the jump of the dock looked way early, there was a deeper landing with a little ear irritation, the reaction time had still ways to go and the swim didn’t look as strong. Well, that is animal training and showing – there is always the probability of gigantic swings, which makes it so interesting . And at THAT level EVERY dog is just VERY GOOD !!
The whole event was a superior all out undertaking by Dock Dogs to deliver exceptional conditions and customer (dogs) service. There was an open practice pool with any rig one needed open all the time, the pools were set on a HEATED hockey floor and the water was just lovely warm – high 70s/low 80s. The indoor spacious and floor mats all around,electric floor sweeping, there was a heated crating tent, social activities and daily strictly reinforced COVID safety measures. Ongoing temperature checks, social distancing, great airflow made us feel truly safe. The staffers and rig crews were superb in their helpfulness,nothing was ever to much no matter who you were or where you came from or what dog you had. They were there to help the dogs, the people any time under any circumstance.I had the exceptional pleasure to be supported by the very best crew worker I have met throughout our career Thomas Platts. What a gem and superman he is. Thank you !!
Dock dogs had set the ultimate championship standard for a year of COVID – on that venue there was no substantial profit to be made – they had GIVEN THEIR ALL for their customers and for some of the world’s finest and best dogs and competitors. Also thank you to my friend Pamela Doolittle pushing my realistic judgement button and all your priceless assists. Without you we might have had a NO SHOW.Bernhardt’s fabulous consistency – even under truly basic correct conditions slightly off the average norm – very reliable performances puts us en route to eventually qualify for another Dock Dogs final. Knowing what those are about we sure shall try.
A good friend of mine recently introduced his lovely very willing 16 months old labrador to the discipline of Air retrieve aka Fetch it and caught her very first catch on video. The footage is very short but packed with super helpful body displays of dog and handler, providing insight into the animals training behaviour and how she refers to previously adopted training patterns to eventually solve the challenge being introduced to. For many – including me and Bernhardt – the first steps are the hardest, different trainers have very different approaches and every positive input as tiny and as banal it might seem can make the heck of a difference. So let’s get started :
The bumper is placed correctly in very short distance of the edge so that the dog just stretching out barely having to jump could grab it but far enough for her not being able to touch it. There is plenty enough toy drive and curiosity here wanting to get it displayed through her body language. One can see her inspecting the edge of the dock, looking for ways to cross over, checking the depth of the drop and water surface almost like saying: “really, is there no bridge here?” There is one deep duck down looking like she might want to glide down the edge – that actually would be the natural self preserving choice . At no point whatsoever is there even the slightest hint of tightening her body set to jump. To understand that behaviour one should consider that most dogs shy off the two foot drop as soon as they stand on the edge. They don’t know how deep the water is, there could be debris or rocks or tree stumps right under the surface and for gliding of it it is to steep and eventually to high. Even very experienced diving dogs want necessarily ever jump from a halt – and truly they shouldn’t since it could lead to some uncoordinated landings tail down first with the risks of injuries.
The handlers body language is enticing, trying to vocally intrigue, to motivate, pointing at the obstacle. I like that his body position is firm in one spot not much moving and there is absolutely no negative frustrated anxiety or signs that any force is about to be used. He is very positively believing that this could work and that is of tremendous importance. His dog and him are here as a pack, a team trying to solve a puzzle and the flow of spiritual energy is present all the time without any physical contact – as much tempting it might feel to do the opposite.. All of this has to lead to that the dog starts to think out different battle plans – just like in hunting for food – to eventually create the solution and to succeed. On her own with some human help. Only those results will lead to positive reliable training patterns. The reward is ultimately just the problem solving by itself.
Eventually the dog stunningly takes the initiative, steps a few strides backwards, kicks off and jumps at the toy. She remembered her confirmed jump patterns from her Distance jump schooling, realized that the way to overcome the gap from dock to toy needs a little extra charge and just did that. I personally found that video amazing just for that read. There was no handler support nor any body signal to get her back at the dock, to place her or any other signal she could have read to do so. It was a superior instinct combining already known training patterns with the new seemingly unsolvable.
Based on that display one could now proceed by placing the dog on the edge, repeating all the stimulation, waiting for a brief “solving the puzzle” display to than gently finger grab the collar and lead her a few strides backwards. Turn her, release and either let her execute the charge or even run a few steps with her towards the hanging toy. In this case here i tend to believe that just replicating her demonstrated behaviour that lead to success by leading her back some being the only assistance would do the job just fine.
Of course you just never want to forget to praise, applaud and cheer for you dog, my friend did here great too. To him i say a big thank you having given me this awesome tutorial video and to his dog I say – thank you for teaching us how it’s done in your world !
Lucas County Fairgrounds, Maumee Oh. It is the 2nd of October 2020, 7:15 am, outside temperature 39 F or 3.9 Celsius. Bernhardt, the competing athlete and I, the trainer,coach and agent are arriving at the NADD venue set for the ultimate seasonal highlight of a Covid 19 battled year that forced the world to restructure and rethink – the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP of NADD and the affiliated AKC.
The outdoors held event was scheduled to begin at 8 am with it’s first discipline the Hydro dash running alphabetically starting A-Z. Bernhardt and I had uniquely managed to qualify for all three finals available, nationwide he ranked first in Distance in a tie, sixth in Hydro, in Air Retrieve he had qualified over an advanced title, he had also produced a highscore at a national qualifier. The competition platform was one of the for all and any NADD finals commonly used mobile dock operated by a Michigan crew.
I had inspected the grounds the day before, just to become familiar with the set up, parking, travel patterns and grass areas for eventual relief. The dock and pool were almost ready to go the filing of it not yet complete, the hose still running off the fire hydrant. It was a sunny bright day with temperatures hovering around mid 50’s or 12.8 C. We had schooled in colder water the weeks ahead and used a custom tailored neoprene wetsuit for practice. Needless to say for me, the human, these Nationals meant a great deal, they only happen once a year, a spot on the podium could become an achievement of a lifetime and there are only so many repetitions to do it. Bernhardt was a serious on paper favorite to hit a good score with a proven very consistent record, we had done anything in our power to prepare for this event in the best ways possible. For us being very aware that American Staffordshire terrier breeds are permanently banned from German import a title or something close to it could even turn into an import permit for my dog – in case I ever had to return.
7:45 am – more cars are pulling in. Most people that walk around – including the dock’s crew – are wearing solid winter clothes, some even gloves. Some dogs are wearing their winter jackets or little buckle up blankets being lead around the swimming pool that has no transparent thermostat in it, the water is not showing any kind of steam and things simply begin to just not feel right. Shortly before our brief practice I stick my hand into the water and it feels borderline warm enough to me – later I realized that my hands were freezing cold and that this sensation was a clear misconception. We practiced in the neoprene suit just of the ramp and Bernhardt swam without hesitation, coming back out he shook the water off and we went back to the heated car awaiting our start to compete.
8:15 am outside temperature 43 f or 6.12 C. We get on the dock, the Hydro bumper is all set, the rig worker splashing the water calling Bernhardt’s name, I set him on the mark, give my launching enticing command, release – and he stood still. Looking at me, barking, no move towards the edge, no jump. I quickly open the gate to the ramp throw the additional toy right at the hanging bumper, he launches of the ramp and retrieves of the hanger. Second attempt – ready…….set……go ……NO go. Side door open and he again retrieves the toy. He in the past on a single incident had not been able to see the toy due to reflections and the sunset that morning caused just those and so I thought that we had just gotten very unlucky and moved on without any further thought towards his next Championship attempt – the Distance jump.
Approximately 9:30 am temperature 48 f or 8.88 C We re-enter the dock after a good 10 minute very playful warm up with lots of stretches, little warm up jumps and mental stimulation. Taking the favorite toy for our practice jump, tossing it at the 16 ft mark place the dog 14 ft of the edge release and ………he runs, jumps with full power and energy lands very close to the toy goes under water for a very brief moment, comes up and returns to the ramp – leaving his toy behind. In the heat of the moment I just retrieve the toy handed by the rig crew take Bernhardt to the edge of the ramp toss his toy now to the 22 ft mark run with him back to the end of the ramp release and he takes off towards the edge – the next thing i hear is a loud human “Ough” and simultaneously a solid sliding noise and see my dog sideways slipping to the edge and than just standing there. By now it just all made sense. He tried his heart out but it was simply to much for him being very short haired without an undercoat – he just could not do it. I leashed him up quietly saying to us “okay, that is it ” and pulled him off the event for good. The outside and water conditions combined made the competition a mission impossible for my dog.
I in fact had just TAKEN it – that glamourous shining bait of a National Championship event by invitation only that we had to qualify for, were so deeply invested in, had worked so hard for and were favorite for at least a top ten placing in just one out of three opportunities. We paid a huge prize for it – in just 60 minutes there seemingly was nothing left but a fully defeated discouraged animal and a handler close to tears.
In hindsight there where indeed a lot of options here. First of course NADD’s non enthusiastic plain recommendation to just “TAKE it or LEAVE it”. Secondly to simply not try at all and never find out dealing with doubt and guilt for months to come – the latter is of course by now in place. There was however a third option available, one that could have produced stellar events with choices for the competitors and equal Championship opportunities for ALL breeds and ALL dogs alike: The main organizer had to severely change their business model and to really go all out restructuring their once a year Highlight event in Orlando that had very little probability to be held, and sacrifice part of their main annual revenue stream in favor of their very loyal clientele and to support the exhibiting animals.
The main reason why all finals have to run of the mobile docks is plain and simple : they are outright owned by NADD, run by staffers and all revenue goes directly to the owners. During regular season most likely the operating cost (wages, transport, insurance, exhibitor fees and so on) at an entry prize of 28 $ a jump do not create the desired profit, especially when the entry numbers run low. A Championship entry however goes for 50 $ a jump, full fields are almost guaranteed and by finding Covid 19 battled desperate for business show venues almost at no cost (the indoor rental option can be excused towards necessary Covid regulations) a substantial profit will be made and that material fact severely impacts all and any decisions – the National Championships do now turn into a serious human conflict of interest. The whole planning and scheduling primarily circulates around the mobile dock operation. No other condition truly matters.
NADD Nationals/Regionals 23 OCT 2020 ran off mobile dock no use off stationary facility
Dock Dogs World’s 23 OCT 2020 pools sitting on heated floor in convention center
Here are possible scenarios that could have lead to much better Championship settings :
a) Spread the event over stationary docks in warmer regions of the country that easily can offer outdoor conditions that simply do not jeopardize the water temperature period. Those docks are already contracted and have to not only pay their share of any NADD entry at any event, they have also waived the right to host any other event and truly deserve the extra business for their loyalty. They also could cancel an event and reschedule just a few days later offering prime conditions if necessary – something that the mobile dock can not offer due to its operating challenges and associated cost. States like Florida or Georgia have also shown to be very light at their Covid restrictions
b) Place the entire available east coast mobile dock fleet in warmer areas of the nation. That might be a harder plan to execute based on the flexibility of the operators and the cost – which comes back to that these docks under stress just do not have a lot of flexibility nor mobility in emergency situations. When it comes to standard Championships however all and any competitors must come To Orlando Fl. Take it or leave it.
c) equip the mobile docks with water heaters or just make filling with warm water mandatory. The higher income justifies the expense.
d) To revoke the handlers privilege to volunteer to travel to warmer states is in full contradiction to insisting on coming to a warmer state when things are under normal conditions. A handler must have the right to travel.
e) Be brave and set conditions under which an event has to be cancelled and rescheduled or not even be held – period. In other animal shows with larger numbers of competitors and spectators (the Kentucky Derby or Jumping/Eventing shows) it is never ever the decision or choice of the exhibitor to enter the event under considerably hazardous conditions. It is the mandatory obligation of the host/organizer to not temper with the wellbeing of animals by playing with people’s heads. It is up to them to call the event off – which has happened a lot of times in the horse industry since the welfare of the animal is of utter priority and not every exhibitor is educated or at times ethical enough to follow that guideline.
The integrity and public displays of animal competitions are fragile and undergo public scrutiny very quickly once the train of poor exposures starts rolling. It is not only the one “bad” exhibitor, not the one single incident of exhaustion, injuries, hypothermia, not the one look of a distressed, in shock, defeated or limping animal that puts a dent to something awesome and respectable. It is more the ongoing representation, the marketing, the core intent of an organization how a sport will be looked at by its society and the prosperity of the activity as a whole.
After all yes, I do feel very badly about this particular outing and the outcome, facing quite some distrust displayed in my dog that really loves the water and to play with it. For having turned the activity that contributes greatly to his physical and mental well being into some form of scary horror trip. And so the best I feel i can do is work with all of this, try to explain and educate myself. Play much more with Bernhardt and make him love his water again and see him having real fun. That is what is on my heart and honestly after hearing “TAKE it or LEAVE it” and “There are a lot of folks that got banned for speaking up” do I really care to jump or just to lay out incentives to make it better, help others to consider, to make different decisions or to insist on fairness and transparency. To me the choice is obvious.
