Dogs jumping off docks.

[Ely Lake Expert]

My GSP's are funny. They both love swimming and love their tennis ball. Funny thing is I can be standing halfway down the dock, throw the tennis ball way out there and one of my dogs runs and jumps off the end of the dock (espn2 long jump style) and the other one runs to shore jumps through the water until she has to swim. We never taught her how to do this, one day she just started jumping off the end of the dock. It was wierd and unexpected.

Does anyone else have a dock jumper? If so did you teach them how or did the dog do it themselves?

ELE

[Cliff Wagenbach]

I have had 5 black labs and only the last one would jump off of docks.

She learned this on her own and loved to do it. She would spend a lot of the day just running full tilt down the dock and jumping off the end of the dock. She seemed to be trying to beat her last distance each time!

Cliff

[irvingdog]

It's the greatest thing to watch my GWP go flying off the dock.

[Kallista]

This summer, ESPN is holding a jump here in winton/ely.. Not sure what they are called, the one where the dog jumps and grabs the bumper and then falls into a big pool like..

[VMS]

Mine will jump off no problem...

She learned it from a neighbor dog that just kind of plopped off the end. Then, Mine just started to take off and really fly. At 6 years old, she is clearing 18 feet. I've entered her into a couple of dock-dog events (one at the pet expo in February and one at Cabelas) She ended up taking a 1st in senior class at the expo in 2006.

Lots of fun to work with her on it..and she gets a bunch of watchers...They just get a kick out of seeing her do it.

Steve

[Wormdrowner]

In todays paper there was an article about a yellow Lab, (Isaac) from Bovey that will be competing this upcoming weekend on the "Outdoor channel". The 3-year old Lab earned his way there by winning the Midwest qualifying event at Terre Haute, Ind., Sept. 14-16. It said Isaac is ranked eighth nationally, tied with two other dogs. His longest jump is 25' 11', we'll have to cheer him on this weekend.

[gonefishin11]

My lab jumps off the docks after dummies and whichever family member jumps in. No matter where she is or what she is doing, if one of us goes in, she will run off the dock and jump in right after. Maybe she thinks she is saving us...

[Ely Lake Expert]

Quote:

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This summer, ESPN is holding a jump here in winton/ely.. Not sure what they are called, the one where the dog jumps and grabs the bumper and then falls into a big pool like..

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Sweet, maybe I should start practicing with her. She has some hops

[Kallista]

Ely Lake

Yes you should.. it will be held at the gun and rod club. I will let you know on updates as it moves closer to the date..

[Ely Lake Expert]

Kallista,

Ya thanks. Let me know and if she is doing well I will give it a try.

[brassman]

The dark lab in my avatar, Oscar, loves to jump off the dock, there will be nothing in the water but he'll still jump. Swim around for a couple seconds and then come in and do it all over again. I might even try to train him to do the dock jump competition stuff but we'll see.

[Swamp Scooter]

I have a couple that like to do it. It just seems that they are so consumed with the bumper they fly to get it.

One thing to remember all is this...If you are dock jumping make sure that you have something over the end of the dock to fill up the gaps in the boards...Your dogs toes WILL get caught in there and all you will hear is a "Yipe!" and then you have a broken toenail or worse toe.

They are fun to watch and to get to make a stylish water entry but another thing is that you will have to be careful in hunting situations that you know the area and the dog does not jump on a submerged stick or dock pole and impale themselves. Fun is fun but dog safety first.