Dock Diving Group Classes

Make A Splash In Our Dock Diving Class

Looking for a new dog sport to enjoy with your pup? Need an outlet for your dog’s endless energy? Dock diving could be just what you’re looking for!

Our fun, action-packed classes will give you an introduction to the sport of dock diving, offering you and the pup the opportunity to learn from knowledgeable instructors.

On this page, you can learn more about the dock diving classes that we offer at Highland Canine Training.

What is dock diving?

Dock diving is a canine sport where dogs race down the length of a dock and jump into a pool of water in pursuit of their favorite toy. There are three different dock diving disciplines to choose from:

Big Air
Extreme Vertical
Speed Retrieve.

Each discipline will judge your dog on a different skill – either how far they can jump, how high they can jump, or how fast they can swim. Dogs and owners can participate in dock diving sports for the thrill of competition or just the fun of making a splash in the summer sun.

In addition to offering excellent mental and physical stimulation, dock diving is a great way to build confidence and escape the heat.

This class introduces the sport of dock diving to you and your dog in a fun and positive environment! Throughout the class, you and your dog will learn skills essential to becoming a successful dock diving team, such as:

Increasing toy drive
Building confidence swimming in deep water
Jumping off the ramp into the pool
Various crucial handler skills.

Once your dog is eagerly jumping off the ramp into the water, and swimming confidently, they are ready for one of our discipline classes (Big Air, Extreme Vertical, or Speed Retrieve).

Dock Diving Class Details & Curriculums

Click below for details of our dock diving group classes, including prerequisities, equipment and curriculums.

Ground Work for Dock Diving

Introduction to Dock Diving

Big Air

Extreme Vertical

Ground Work For Dock Diving - Group Class details

Class duration: 4 weeks

Prerequisites

– Dog must be able to swim

– Has a reliable Sit command

– Has or is developing strong toy drive (bring a floatable toy)

Week 1: Foundations - Sit, Stay, Distance & Platform Work

Goal: Build control, early distance confidence, and platform awareness Skills:

– Practice Sit/Stay separately with clear, consistent cues

– Start walk-away drills at 5-10ft (handler facing the dog)

– Begin walking away with back turned (short distances at first)

– Introduce platform work for position focus

Notes:

– Use short, fun sessions

– Build up to 15-20ft walk-aways (goal: handler can walk away with back turned)

Week 2: Toy Drive & Hurdle Introduction

Goal: Develop excitement and introduce structured jumping

Skills:

– Strengthen toy drive (tug, fetch, chase with floatable toy)

– Introduce hurdles at low height, gradually increasing to 28-+

– Use toy to motivate jumping

– Continue Sit/Stay and walk-away practice (targeting 25-30ft)

Notes:

– Focus on fun and confidence

– Reward every jump with toy play

Week 3: Ramp Training & Skill Integration

Goal: Introduce the ramp and start combining skills

Skills:

– Teach your dog to go up and down the ramp comfortably – Combine:

– Sit/Stay

– Walk-away (face and back turned)

– Hurdle Jump

– Ramp navigation

– Begin smoothing transitions from one skill to the next

Notes:

– Use toy and high praise at the end of each run – Target 30-35ft confident walk-away with back turned

Week 4: Full Dry Dock Sequence

Goal: Simulate a complete dock diving routine (no water) Skills:

– Full sequence:

– Sit/Stay

– 40ft Walk-away with back turned

– Hurdle Jump

– Ramp

– Toy reward / recall

Notes:

– Use this week to evaluate flow and drive

– Finish with praise and play to keep motivation high – This dry run sets your dog up for their first water launch!

Introduction to Dock Diving - Group Class details

Class duration: 4 weeks

Maximum class size: 5 dogs

This class can be taken as many times as needed to work on different skills.

Prerequisites

Your dog must:

Like to play in the water (ex: creeks, ponds, doggy pool, ocean, etc.)
Be motivated to chase or retrieve a ball/toy
Be up to date on all age appropriate vaccinations
Be at least 6 months old

Equipment

You will need the following equipment to take part in our dock diving class:

6 ft leash
Your dog’s favorite floating ball/toy
Towel
Crate or car kennel
Clothes you do not mind getting splashed
Non-slip shoes

Week 1

Introduction to Dock Diving Sports
Choosing a toy
First Splash

Week 2

Building confidence on ramp
Assisted swimming

Week 3

Unassisted swimming
Water retrieve

Week 4

Increasing jump distance
Increasing water retrieve distance
Graduation

Big Air - Group Class details

When you envision Dock Diving, you are more than likely thinking of Big Air. Big Air is the original and most popular dock diving discipline.

In this competition, a dog races down the dock and leaps into the pool in pursuit of a thrown toy in an attempt to jump the farthest distance possible! Each team will get two jumps and the team with the furthest distance will be crowned the winner.

Whether your dog just loves to jump and swim, or you are planning on competing in the future, this class is the best place to start your Big Air journey! In this class, your dog will build the confidence needed to jump off the dock into the water, as well as tips/tricks needed to become a successful handler. Not every dog has what it takes to be a champion, but rest assured we will have a blast trying.

Class duration: 5 weeks

Maximum class size: 5 dogs

Runtime: 90 mins

Prerequisites

Your dog must:

Have taken the Introduction to Dock Diving group class or have been evaluated and approved for this class by a trainer.
Be up to date on all age-appropriate vaccinations.
Be at least 6 months old.

Equipment

You will need the following equipment to take part in our dock diving class:

6 ft leash
Your dog’s favorite throwable, floating ball/toy/tug
Towel
Somewhere to keep your dog in between jumps (crate or car kennel)
Clothes you do not mind getting wet.
Non-slip shoes

Week 1

Introduction to Big Air
Competition rules and regulations
First splash & dog skill evaluation

Week 2

Teaching toy tracking
Dry-land skill development

Week 3

Increasing jump distance
Handler skill improvement

Week 4

Building vertical jump height
Establishing competition routine

Week 5

Mock Dock Diving event
Graduation

Extreme Vertical - Group Class details

Calling all bouncy dogs with springs for legs! Extreme Vertical is the Dock Diving discipline where dogs jump up off the dock to grab a bumper suspended over the water. Each wave, the rig holding the bumper is raised 2 inches until a winner is determined.

Extreme Vertical is designed to test the abilities of dogs that seem to be able to jump on to and over anything. In this group class you and your dog will learn skills needed to improve their ability to jump as high as possible. Whether you intend to compete, or your dog loves soaring through the air for fun, our trainers ensure that your dog will have as much fun as possible while building their abilities.

Class duration: 5 weeks

Maximum class size: 5 dogs

Runtime: 90 mins

Prerequisites

Your dog must:

Have successfully completed our Introduction to Dock Diving group class or have been evaluated and approved by a Highland Canine trainer.
Be motivated to chase/retrieve a water bumper.
Be up to date on all age-appropriate vaccinations.
Be at least 6 months old.

Equipment

You will need the following equipment to take part in our dock diving class:

6ft leash
A Dokken super bumper or double-stringed equivalent (available for purchase if needed)
Towel
Somewhere to keep your dog in between jumps (crate or car kennel)
Clothes you do not mind getting wet.
Non-slip shoes