Last week, Sugar went to an indoor dock diving pool. It’s a facility that Sugar is unfamiliar with. As a responsible pet parent, I did my online research about the place. Typically, I personally try to check out the place before setting up an appointment. Due to the great reviews and driving time of an hour, I called and reserved a time for Sugar to swim and dock dive. As soon as I got Sugar’s Super Shammy towel and her new Flotte KONG toy, she immediately sensed it was a water adventure.
As a retriever, Sugar loves to swim and jump. Sugar, as a senior dog, continues to be strong and fearless.
The day of Sugar’s dock dive swim, I shared the photo collage below on our FB Page. I was very amazed on how many likes/comments/shares it created. I simply wanted to share how Sugar at 12yrs old can still jump.
To be honest, I did not take many photos that day because I was a bit nervous for Sugar. I was not impressed by the set-up of the pool particularly the ramp. I found the ramp narrow and the steps were not as sturdy as I would like for Sugar’s weight.
Sugar being familiar with dock diving, she immediately knew that she needed to jump in order to retriever the toy. If you are new or trying out dock diving with your dog, remember these 5 Safety Tips …
1) It is very important to introduce your dog to the RAMP, exit ramp. If you do agility with your dog, you get familiarized with the course by walking. Same idea in dock diving,. Take your dog to the ramp and do a short retrieve into the pool from the ramp.
2) Safety GEAR: lifejacket/collar/leash – If you are doing dock diving in an indoor facility, it is recommended to wear a lifejacket even though your dog knows how to swim. If your dog gets hurt or injured you can easily help by using the handle on the lifejacket. For beginners, many uses a leash release + command to let their dog jump into the pool and retriever the toy. In events and competitions, dogs do not wear lifejackets.
3) Must have PATIENCE – Many dogs will immediately jump into ponds, lake, rivers, and ocean but a bit hesitant on pools. Provide confidence to your dog by throwing a toy in short distance for a couple of times. Build a momentum from there and always use happy exciting verbal commands. Be prepared to get wet and be in the water with your dog.
4) Don’t Over JUMP your dog! PAY ATTENTION to your Dog. For average dogs, dock diving is tiring. Take breaks between jumps and stop when you notice fatigue from your dog.
5) As a pet parent, CHECK the dock dive pool first and make sure you have knowledge about the faculty managing it. It’s is also a good idea to learn PET CPR.
I reserved the pool for 30 minutes but Sugar spent only 20 mins. She had lots of rest and leisurely swims in between. Have you tried dock diving with your dog?
Golden Woofs is participating and sharing these safety tips in the DogFenceDIY Safety Tips 2014 Round Up. Golden Woofs is being compensated for this post.
Thanks for the tips. I never knew they had indoor facilities for dogs. Sorry this one wasn’t up to standards.
Great adventure. We have a pool we can go to, but I don’t know of a dock diving facility around here. Sugar looks great, she sure is a strong girl for a senior – must be well taken care of 😉 Thanks for joining the Hop.
Slim, if you don’t mind the drive, there are classes and an indoor pool at Doggie Central in Culver City. Some of our pals go there to learn and/or practice.
OH YESSSSSSSSS This is what we LOVE to see… Sugar… You having a super fun time. You did Grrreat and we are sooooo glad that you got to have such a Grrrrreat adventure. We love that your mom takes SUCH good Care of you.
Those were EXCELLENT warnings… Gotta be CAREFUL… even when having FUN.
Sugar is a Super-Fit Golden Senior dog and it shows! Look at her JUMP and swim! I would never do such a thing…we terriers are “earth-bound”…I would prefer to dig a hole to the other side of the world.
Happy weekend to you and Sugar!
Oz
What fun! I bet Sugar had a great nap on the way home!
I haven’t tried dock diving, but my guys have used indoor dog pools before. They LOVE it! But, oh boy, my checkbook doesn’t! It is super expensive in my area!
Great tips…thank you! I’ll pass them on to my Jack Russell sisters. Weenies DON’T swim! 🙂
That looks like so much fun! I wonder if that’s something my pyrs would enjoy.
That looks great, specially your leap! I better watch this pool with a distance, but I’m glad you had fun!
Very good tips and very important tips
Lily & Edward
Sugar, you are awesome! Such a fit dog at your age!
Looks like a fun day!
We’ve given dock diving a try with our friends Malinois who loves it. Teach isn’t a fan…LOL!! Sugar, you really impress me with your activities at 12!!! You should be a roll model for all senior dogs!!
So cool to be in the pool Sugar. We’d so love go. Have a fabulous Friday.
Best wishes Molly
It would take a spectacular amount of coaxing for me to ever get Mr. N to dock dive lol.
Sugar you are the best diver I know and for sure the prettiest! OMDs look at you fly through the air.
Your mom finds the bestest places for you to visit
hugs madi your bfff
Awesome day and tips. My gang loved dock diving.
Sugar, you are an inspiration to senior dogs everywhere! Unfortunately, we don’t have any type of water areas where Bentley can get his paws wet. Maybe we will take an adventure to the Gulf Coast one day so he can walk on the beach and experience the shallow water.
Great post – fabulous tips! After happening upon a couple of Dock Diving events in person, I always thought it would be fun to do. Lola would have been GREAT at it if we had found it years ago…
Great tips! Thank you for sharing!
If only I had a nice big pool! haha!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Sugar, you impress me so much–I love seeing you jump in that pool. You make it seem so easy. Dock diving is something I just won’t do–if I can’t see the bottom, there’s no way I’m getting in the water. Yet, I love to swim.
Great safety tips. I don’t think we have an indoor dock diving gym around here. I think we should get one since the ponds are frozen for 6 months out of the year.
Wow Sugar I am totally impressed! And your mom is one tough cookie to please! Love Dolly
Great tips, thanks for sharing!
The littles don’t swim… but we loved the pic of Sugar launching high in the air!! Very cool!
We just love watching Sugar and all of the adventures you two get in to!! Very good tips on Pool Safety!!
How fun! I’m hoping to get involved in Dock Diving this summer with Kronos. He seems like he would love it the most-while the girl’s like to swim, they aren’t too crazy about having to vault into the water like they would have to do for Dock Diving 🙂
We (Jake & I) LOVE dock diving! I try to encourage others to come to practice at a local class as a part of there exercise plan to keep their dog engaged and in shape!