Dock Dogs at the Sports Show in Bismarck

I've heard the clear water does freak some of them out...thinking of trying my lab since he was flying pretty good last summer...

 I don't think it is just the clear water. Some dogs just don't like to jump off a raised dock. Neither of the labs that I have owned would jump off a dock but would hit the water fast if it was off shore or even a raised bank. Both my docks would just go to the end of the dock and just kind of a controlled fall into the water.

I'm sure that'd be a reason too, I had just heard the one about the clear water.  My dog wouldn't really jump off the dock his first summer (only a few months old) and would do more of the controlled fall but last year would run and fly off; fun to watch. 

I think once my GSP sees other dogs jumping off the dock he will be OK. He very competitive and if all else fails I will bring another dog up on the platform with us during the practice jumps. I think he wold go off a cliff if it meant not letting the other dog get the ball or dummy.  

Not looking good for us at Dock Dogs 2012.
My GSP pulled a muscle in his shoulder and is limping pretty good. Vet doesn't think anything is torn and hopefully he can pull it together in the next 2 weeks.  

No DockDogs for us this year.  I am bummed out, my dog actually took 1st place in the Semi-pro division there last year.  She tore her ACL a while back and just came home from surgery yesterday.  It will be a long 3-4 months of rehab, but hopefully I can get her back for hunting this fall.  Good luck to all who participate.  It is a great bonding time with your dog whether they jump 20 feet or 2 feet.  If you have never tried it give it a shot, they work with you to get your dog jumping, etc.

 How do the divisions work?

I couldn't quite figure out how to register on the dockdogs website, but I think I'll give it a go.  Give the dog something to break up his post-season boredom!

When is the sports show?

Sports Show is Feb 24th -26th at the Bismarck Civic Center.