Dock Jumping

Excited handlers. Young, beautiful, athletic mutts launching, soaring, and plunging in to the water. Large audiences cheering and applauding such an accomplishment. Originating as a back yard pass time, this fun and exciting sport has grown to a national level event.

Training

The key to success is Confidence and Camaraderie between Mutt and Handler.
Mutts are incredibly smart animals and can sense the handlers excitement, confidence, and tension.
An event is the time for excitement and confidence, not the time for training. Training causes tension. The goal is to be relaxed and confident
The camaraderie between the Mutt and Handler should be well established prior to any event. The basic sit, stay, and retrieve commands should flow naturally on the dock allowing for focus on the task at hand.

Technique Training

Technique is probably the most important aspect of Dock Jumping. It's not uncommon to see aggressive and strong mutts jump shorter distances due to poor technique.

Important aspects of Technique are:

Speed
start at a point where the dog will achieve maximum speed at lift off.
Too far back will cause the dog to slow down at lift off.
Too far forward will not achieve maximum speed.

Approach (ability to hit the end of the dock)
the dog should be in full stride when time to jump.
the dog should not stutter step.
take off from the end of the dock.

Lift Off
for an object to obtain maximum distance for the speed it is traveling, it must  launch at a 45 degree angle.

Strength Training

Strength and Endurance play a key roll in Dock Jumping. Strong hind legs improve lift and distance. Endurance assures consistency throughout the entire competition..

Strength
retrieve up steep hills
agility hurdle jumping
shore jumping

Endurance
swimming
long runs

Email questions and comments to training@sportmutt.com
SportMutt, Inc.
New Prague, MN 56071
952.758.5762