2010 Rookie "Cat Dog"

Waiting to go Mom...

The Dock

You may want to turn off the music on my blog - or the music on the video - both may be annoying.

If you didn't catch the update to my last "DockDogs" post all of your votes paid off and Roper won the 2010 "Cat Dog" title!

Armed with what little I had learned about Dock Dog events and a little bit of new gear I attended and competed in DockDogs on Saturday and Sunday in Rookie Dog Big Air (with all proceeds going to "Chase Away Canine Cancer") and in regular big air.

Announcer from the local KDRK Country Music Radio Station starting DockDogs off for the day on Saturday.

Almost...

Wanting nothing to do with water...

This one made it!

Roper did great, he jumped off the dock each time (although many dogs did not) - placing 3rd in Novice Big Air on Saturday - on Sunday with a jump over 10ft he jumped his way out of the Novice division and into the Junior division - unfortunately he was toward the bottom or the Junior Division.



Every time he jumped he jumped a little further - and hesitated at the end of the dock less and less - but it was painfully obvious that I had the most well-fed lab dog in attendance and also that even though I had been working with him for 3 weeks (ever since I had this idea) he was soooo out of shape.

Our home base - minus a crate - he wasn't yet comfortable enough to stay in his crate - but he's getting better about that. I know why everyone else uses them though, if they are not crated you have to hold on to them constantly - making it difficult to do anything else.

Here is the crowd we jumped for - the announcer gets them all worked up. It gets really loud!

It's just amazing how similar these are to horse shows....although I think alot of these guys take better care of their dogs than some people would dream of taking care of their show horses. The dogs that do this competitively are AMAZINGLY well cared for, conditioned, and trained. Like with Show Horses its a year around program all geared towards getting the best jump out of your dog and keeping him/her happy and healthy.

I sneaked a photo - don't worry Rope is not annoyed, he just has that look on his face alot. IF anything he's tired...

For my Canadian buddies wanted to let you know - their is an Ontario Dock Dog Group and a new fledgling Vancouver Dock Dog Group. If you are interested please let me know I can steer you in the right direction - to answer the question: Is there DockDog Competitions in Canada?? Why yes, yes there is.

Here is a picture of the dock line - you have to wait in line to compete or two practice....this is a short line. Usually it wraps clear around the pool.

Here he is coming up the exit ramp with his float.

And here he is just seconds before shaking on me. I heeded some useful advice I found on dockdog.com and brought a dry pair of clothes. By the end of the day I was soaked.

Roper loves the towel - he gets all excited when I get it out and runs into it as I wraps it around him and rub him down. Now the Shamwow you see draped over my chair is not nearly as exciting as the towel, but it but it dries them and pulls the water out of their coats so quickly that not only am I always going to have one with me when dock jumping, but also I will buying MORE of them for Horse Shows..... Rope would walk around all day with his towel wrapped around him if he could.....

Our ribbon - the wind flipped it around, but you get the point.

So tired mom....