From agility to scent work, and detection to search and rescue, as dog owners, we are always looking for more ways to provide our dogs with physical exercise and mental stimulation. Providing our pups with a range of different activities can ensure they remain happy and healthy.
One relatively new dog sport that has seen a significant increase in popularity in recent years is dock diving. This sport was created in the late 1990s, but dock diving pools are now popping up with increasing frequency across the United States (including Highland Canine’s very own pool, at our North Carolina dog training center).
In this article, we’ll look at what is involved with dock diving, and then outline some of the benefits of this sport for your pup.
What is dock diving?
Dock diving was first introduced by Purina in 1998, as part of their Incredible Dog Challenge. Over the past twenty-five years, the sport has grown in popularity. Whether you participate competitively with your dog, or are taking part just for fun, dock diving is an exciting way to unleash your dog’s energy.
Part of the appeal of dock diving is its simplicity. Dogs sprint down a platform, before leaping off into a body of water to retrieve a high-value toy reward. Depending on the dock diving discipline, competition winners are determined based on the furthest or highest distance jumped.
When you think about dock diving, Big Air is likely the competition you are thinking of. This is the original dock diving competition. In Big Air, dogs have to jump as far as they can into the pool in pursuit of their toy. The dog who jumps the farthest (after a series of two jumps) is the winner. The current world record for Big Air is held by Sounders, a Whippet who jumped 11.12 meters in July 2022.
The other dock diving discipline is Extreme Vertical. As the name suggests, this is essentially the equivalent of the high jump for dogs. In Extreme Vertical, a bumper hangs eight feet away from the dock, and can be anywhere from 4’6″ and above the top of the dock in two inch increments. Dogs are awarded different titles for the height they achieve, with the ‘High Flyer’ title awarded for dogs jumping in excess of seven feet.
Which dogs are best suited for dock diving?
While some dogs are naturally more apt to perform well in dock diving than others, the sport is inclusive. As long as your dog hasn’t sustained significant leg or joint injuries in the past, most dogs can participate and have fun. If you are concerned or worried about your dog’s suitability for dock diving, be sure to check with your veterinarian before signing your dog up for classes.
As for which breeds make the best dock diving dogs? Success in dock diving competitions typically requires two things – speed and agility. Dogs need to generate sufficient speed on the platform, and then require the spring and athleticism to propel themselves forwards or upwards into the pool. In addition, a natural aptitude to enjoy the water and be a competent swimmer will build confidence quickly. Considering this combination of traits, breeds that typically excel at dock diving include:
- Labrador Retrievers
- Irish Setters
- Whippets
- Portuguese Water Dogs
- Belgian Malinois
- Border Collies
- Golden Retrievers
Check out the North America Dock Diving (NADD) league table to see the longest jumps so far this year.
What are the benefits of dock diving?
Besides being a fun activity for you and your dog to participate in, there are several great reasons to get involved in dock diving. From physical health to improving the human-canine bond, dock diving has several benefits.
Confidence building
Creating a confident dog has all-round behavioral benefits. Any time your dog learns a new skill, you are building routines that will provide benefits past simply learning that skill itself. Your dog will learn to focus and have fun in the process. As they continue to progress in dock diving, there will be a correlation with their confidence and performance.
Easier on joints than other activities
While some dog sports like agility are undoubtedly fun, they can also put pressure on joints and bones, which can increase the risk of injury. While your dog will need to be able to sprint down the platform before jumping into the dock diving pool, this is a relatively short distance to travel. Jumping into the water poses little to no risk of injury, and swimming is a low-intensity way to work out your dog’s muscles.
It’s easy to get started
Some activities can take a while for your dog to learn the ropes. The beauty of dock diving is that, if your dog has a toy they are motivated by, and as long as they don’t have a fear of water, they can begin in just a matter of minutes. From there, it is simply a case of developing and improving your dog’s skills.
Builds a strong owner-handler bond
Any activity between a dog and their owner will have a positive effect on the bond between the two, and dock diving is no different. This is a joint activity that can truly enhance the dog-handler bond – and provides plenty of opportunity for positive encouragement and praise when a dog does well.
Outlet for dogs who thrive in the water
Some dogs just love to be in the water – whether due to inherent traits acquired over generations of breed development, or simply the fact that they love to swim and make a splash! Dock diving can provide a great outlet for any dog who just loves to be in the water. Your dog may enjoy it so much that you’ll struggle to pull them away from the dock!
How to get involved in dock diving
If you’re interested in enrolling your dog in dock diving classes, look for classes in your local area. You can take part in group classes or rent access to a pool for a set period of time.
At Highland Canine Training, our team of professional dog trainers regularly offers dock diving classes out of our dog training location in Harmony, NC. We offer introductory classes, in addition to specialized Big Air and Extreme Vertical programs. Check out our calendar for upcoming classes.
Later this year, we’ll also be opening up our pool and allowing dog owners to book for their own private use – meaning you can select a timeslot and let your dog dive time and time and time again!
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