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My Epic Fail at Dockdiving

Written by Rachel Phelps

For the record, I first have to say, why my rents ever thought it was a good idea to have me try dock diving I will never know.  I’m the dog who doesn’t like dog days at the pool and would rather spend my day playing in the plastic kiddie pool splashing water.

Recently, I attended the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship weekend which included a dock diving competition.  Before my ill-fated attempt at this sport, we watched the finals and I was impressed!  Those dogs can jump far and they have so much fun doing it to.  I was almost excited enough to try it.  I imagined myself running off the dock in a graceful jump and hitting the water twenty feet out like those big lab dogs.  Then the crowd would go wild and be yelling … Preston, Preston, Preston! But then reality set in when I followed mom up on the dock.  Before I tell you about the rest of my experience, watch this short video showing how dock diving is supposed to be done.

They start out us newbies on the exit ramp.  At this point I was thinking this wasn’t so bad.  I could admire the event from up here on the ramp.

Then, I realized they wanted me to go in. But boy this water was very deep.  I thought maybe I could drink it down some.  I took a nice long drink .. but unfortunately that didn’t work.

Next, in what the humans thought was pure brilliance, they though lets trick Preston by putting a toy in the water and he will go after it.  Yep, that didn’t work.  I’m a smart dog.  I have plenty of toys at home.  No need for a new one sitting in five feet of water!

This was the worst part. They decided I needed to swim to get used to the water.  They took me to the opposite end of the pool, put me in the water, and told me to swim to Mom.  Yes, I can swim, do I like to? … Nope.  So … by the time I got to Mom I was plotting my revenge.

I decided to play along for a while.  They had me go back down the ramp.  I guess they thought since I was wet I would think … what the heck, I want to go swimming again.  I acted like I was interested and went down the ramp a little bit.  I fooled them … hehehe.

At this point I had them right where I wanted them.  Next, they put me up on the actual dock.  I walked up to the edge and looked down (MY LAND, that is a huge drop for a little dog!) and then froze.  I acted like I was both scared but so still wanted that toy floating in the water at the same time.  I should have gotten an Oscar for my performance.  hehehe

Next, was my moment to get them back.  I let them all call me and then Mom said the words I was waiting for.  Go to dad!  Mom thought that since Dad was by the water I would jump in to swim to dad.   I had another idea.  I looked at dad, paused for a second, then ran as fast as I could to the other end of the dock, down the stairs, around the dock, and to Dad.  As soon as I got close enough, I shook, and shook, and shook, and got him and everyone near him all wet!  Here I am at the start of my retreat.

If I was going to be a wet dog, then everyone else was going to be too!

In all seriousness, this dock diving event obviously isn’t the sport for me. But if your dog loves water, you need to find a dock diving group close to you and try it out.  The dogs in the competition LOVE jumping in so much.  They got to do something they enjoyed and more importantly spend time with their humans.  To learn more, to go: http://www.dockdogs.com/

Will I try dock diving again? Heck no!  I’m sticking with the kiddie pools, thank you very much! hehehe.

About the author

Rachel Phelps

Rachel Phelps, “America’s Pet Parent,” is an award-winning writer, photographer, and certified dog trainer. She keeps busy managing the career of her Internet celebrity dog Preston from Preston Speaks. Her three Westies — who think they are mini-humans — and three cats rule the house. To learn more about Rachel go to: Rachel Phelps Website

7 Comments

  • […] For the record, I first have to say, why my rents ever thought it was a good idea to have me try dock diving I will never know. I’m the dog who doesn’t like dog days at the pool and would rather spend my day playing in the plastic kiddie pool splashing water. Recently, I attended the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship weekend which included a dock diving competition. Before my ill-fated attempt at this sport, we watched the finals and I was impressed! Those dogs can jump far and they have so much fun doing it to. I was almost excited enough to try it. I imagined myself running off the dock in a graceful jump and hitting the water twenty feet out like those big lab dogs. Then the crowd would go wild and be yelling … Preston, Preston, Preston! But then reality set in when I followed mom up on the dock. Before I tell you about the rest of my experience, watch this short video showing how dock diving is supposed to be done…..  […]

  • […] For the record, I first have to say, why my rents ever thought it was a good idea to have me try dock diving I will never know. I’m the dog who doesn’t like dog days at the pool and would rather spend my day playing in the plastic kiddie pool splashing water. Recently, I attended the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship weekend which included a dock diving competition. Before my ill-fated attempt at this sport, we watched the finals and I was impressed! Those dogs can jump far and they have so much fun doing it to. I was almost excited enough to try it. I imagined myself running off the dock in a graceful jump and hitting the water twenty feet out like those big lab dogs. Then the crowd would go wild and be yelling … Preston, Preston, Preston! But then reality set in when I followed mom up on the dock. Before I tell you about the rest of my experience, watch this short video showing how dock diving is supposed to be done…..  […]

    • Nikki, Do you think Lulu would want to try Dock diving? We could set up a mini version in our backyard..I have a kiddle pool 🙂

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