In the large arena, throughout each day at the Great American Outdoor Show, you’ll see canines like never before.
DockDogs, a canine competition organization, are showing the skills of their elite dogs at the DockDogs Jumping Contest. The world’s premier canine aquatics competition is one of the most exciting events this year. Everyone in the audience, kids and adults alike, was astounded at the strength and talents of these happy pups.
Today I watched as Delaney, Tahoe and Molly launch off a platform and fly 13 to 22 feet through the air after their favorite toy. The dogs were given a chance to jump three times, and each time they went farther than the jump before. Hunter, a Labrador less than a year old, was also part of the DockDogs crew. This being his first time with the organization, however, he never made it off the dock…or even into the water! He was adorable to watch, so in the end it didn’t matter.
DockDogs features different jumping challenges; distance and height. Trainers will throw or hold a toy right at the end of the platform while the dogs zoom down the runway to get it—this is the technique to for the distance challenge. To judge how high a Dock Dog can jump a toy is suspended in the air over the 40-foot-long pool, the dogs then try as hard as they can to reach it.
The best part of the show was seeing the overwhelming excitement of the dogs. Each and every one was thrilled for their turn to run as fast and jump as far as they could. Nothing is happier than a dog with a job.
DockDogs travels all over the U.S. hosting events and competitions, you might have even seen them on ESPN. Be sure to follow their schedule, for if they’re ever in your hometown it’s an event you don’t want to miss.
Additionally, DockDogs supports the B.A.A.R.K (Basic Assistance And Recovery Kindness) Foundation. Proceeds from their events goes to supporting this helpful organization.
