Dock Diving Classes
$210 for 4 weeks
Each class is 1.5 hours
No more than 5 people in a class
Into to water or intro into dock diving are one hour private lessons for $125
Upcoming Basic Dock Diving Classes
Dock Diving! Maybe you’ve seen it on YouTube or maybe on ESPN. It truly combines a dog’s toy & chase drive with their love for the water. Many of our Basic level dogs have gone on to greatness and award-winning performances in competitions nationally!
How do you know if your dog is a candidate?
First: your dog must be obsessed with a toy, whether it’s a tennis ball, stick, or any number of toys that can be tossed to your furry companion. You know what we’re talking about…that look your fur baby gets when you pick up their toy and they never take their eyes off of it as they beg for the toss.
Second, and as important: your dog MUST be a confident swimmer in water where swimming is necessary. Not just a dog who frolics in the shallows. Combine these two elements and you can have some jaw-dropping performances of distance and height.
If your pup has the above two characteristics then you should definitely consider registering them for Basic Dock Diving.
Note: If you’re unsure of your dog’s swimming capabilities we would be glad to set up an evaluation to determine their comfort in the water. All breeds welcome!
Upcoming Intermediate Dock Diving Classes
Our Intermediate Dock Diving Class is designed to further the jumping capabilities of our students: both K-9 as well as handlers. This class is for dogs that have successfully completed our Basic Class or have already learned to jump in similar scenarios, including other training locations and possibly competitions. Although competitive jumping may not be your goal, typically, dogs in this class will learn to jump at distances that are common in Dock Diving tournaments.
In our intermediate class, special emphasis will be placed on perfecting the handler’s throw for the dogs so as to maximize their jumping potential. In short, these are dogs who are jumping into the water from the dock with no encouragement. Obviously, they are confident swimmers and enthusiastic about their jump and retrieve.
If you have not participated in our Basic Class but are confident in your dog’s jumping ability, we would be glad to set up a private evaluation.
Dogs that do not enjoy agility may love swimming or dock diving.
**Note: There are criteria for entrance into a dock diving class. Dogs registering for Dock Diving Level 1 need to have previous water or swimming experience. Dogs that have “ball or toy-drive” will jump and dock dive within 1-2 classes (“ball or toy-drive” is when your dog has an obsession with a ball or a toy). This is not a class to teach your dog how to swim.
If your dog does not have a "ball or toy drive" or if it has never been in the water, you will need to schedule a private session with your dog (ball or toy drive is when your dog has an obsession with a ball or a toy). To schedule a private swim or dock diving session, please email me at atlantadogtrainer@yahoo.com.
We look forward to a new season of Dock Diving and hope to see you there!! We are excited to introduce the new dog sport called “Dock Diving.” You may have seen some events in the media or on the extreme dog sports channels.
Participating in this ever-increasingly popular dog sport is rewarding for both you and your dog. The excitement at these events is contagious! These competitions build true camaraderie among our dog lovers and can expand your circle of friends while providing great exercise and socialization for your furry best friend!
When we started our Dock Diving (DD) classes some 6 years ago it was our plan to give our clients and their pups an outlet for those who wanted more than just a place to swim. This class was designed especially for dogs that loved the water as well as those who exhibited a drive for toys, balls, sticks, or any other object that would motivate a pup to launch themselves off of our 40' deck into our 60' pool!
We start gradually with no pressure. Our dogs can do no wrong and we take as long as needed to get them comfortable.
In the process, we have had success stories too numerous to mention all of them. However, we need to highlight three of our former and current students who have gone on to greatness.
JEFFERSON: DUCK TOLLER
(Below)
Day one Jefferson was excited and yet had never been in the water. Our DD instructor Rick Carpenter was beside him as he came down the ramp and flailed about in the water. Not lacking for confidence but needing to work on technique Jefferson soon found his roots as a true water dog. Having an extreme drive as a retriever Jefferson was charging down the ramp at full tilt by week 2. By week 3 Jefferson decided the ramp was too much trouble. Sensing that Jefferson was “ready" we allowed Jefferson to decide for himself that it was time. Long story short, by the end of our classes Jefferson was easily clearing 23 feet!!
Not stopping there, Jefferson went on to compete in national competitions garnering awards and ribbons.
YETI: GOLDEN RETRIEVER
(Below)
Yeti was a natural. Comfortable with the water from the start, he quickly moved to the dock. As Goldens go Yeti was a magnificent example of the breed as his owners were in fact Golden breeders! As such Yeti was a large yet very healthy athletic boy. In dock diving sometimes size isn’t a determinant of performance. To see Yeti launch himself off of our dock was poetry in motion. Quickly surpassing 20' our boy decided he had found his calling. After our 4 week classes were completed Yeti moved on to national competitions and met with huge success as seen in our pictures. Congratulations Yeti!
WESTON: WHIPPET
(Below)
Okay, let’s face it. A Whippet probably isn’t a dog you would picture as a “water dog". But Weston wasn’t listening to that kind of talk. We decided to try a private lesson with him to gauge his enthusiasm. Suffice it to say he was enthused. Weston is one of 2 dogs that decided they needed no warm up and jumped on the first day! As we know, a Whippet is 98% muscle. Our boy is at full speed, which is blinding, in 2 strides. To see him race across the dock is amazing. Weston joined several of our classes and continues to visit us for privates periodically. He is also still active in regional and national competitions. As recent as mid May 2020 our boy had achieved a personal best of 23' 11"! Recently in April 2020 jumped 26 feet!!
Basic Class Schedule
Classes meet once per week for approximately 1 to 1.5 hours on consecutive weeks.
Intermediate Class Schedule
Classes meet once per week for approximately 1 to 1.5 hours on consecutive weeks.
Pricing
Basic: $210 for 4 weeks (minimum of 3 dogs / maximum 5-6 dogs per class)
Intermediate: $210 for 4 weeks (minimum of 3 dogs / maximum 5-6 dogs per class)
Jumpers class: $210 for 4 weeks (minimum of 3 dogs / maximum 5-6 dogs per class)
We can do private lessons as well.
The session for private training is $125 an hour, or 3 sessions for $365
Contact susie@atlantadogtrainer.com for private appointments
