Yesterday was our first official dock jumping event ever. It was an Ultimate Air Dogs event at the United Kennel Club venue in Kalamazoo. We were up pretty early in the morning to pack up. I had a list of all the things I was worried we would forget at the last moment. Not to worry, we made it and we had everything. Luckily there was parking really close to the pool and registration tent so we parked and unloaded the kennels and the boys. I talked to Milt, who I think might be one of the nicest men I have ever met. He’s just great. Very personable and helpful. He’s loud and friendly. Completely the type of person that makes me feel at ease.
Midas’s First Time In. After I told Milt it would be Midas’s first time into the pool, he told me to bring him on up and we would practice getting him in off the practice dock. Midas went up fine, got to the top fine, on the downward ramp he froze and was blatantly thinking “No Way!”. With a lot of coaxing, calling and some dragging/pushing, we got him into the water. The brought him up onto the dock. I tossed his bumper in only about 6 ft out and he wobbled a little, unsure if he should jump and then flew right in. The hard part is over. He struggled getting up the narrow exit ramp and then we raced right up onto the dock again. This time he jumped right off after it, no problem. After several practice jumps we called it quits so that other newbie’s could have their turn before the first splash.
Competition Jumps. I wasn’t too nervous waiting in line for our turn, I figured if I could get him to jump at all I would be happy. When it was our turn, I brought him up, placed him into his sit/stay (which he held beautifully even with all the distractions) and released. He had slight hesitation at the end of the dock but jumped for a whopping 12′9″!! After watching many dogs refuse to go in I was ecstatic that he jumped so far! Our second competition jump he only got 8′1″. There was a major pause at the end and a belly flop of a jump. Oh well, at least he did it and he had a good time. He had a bit of a struggle getting up the exit ramp but finally made it – and thought he got to go again, he made a dash for the stairs to the dock 
. At least I know he’s having a good time!
Catch It. We hung around after our splash to watch the Catch It event. It was pretty cool. The dog has to jump as far as it can, AND catch the object the trainer is throwing before he hits the water. Rajah, the brindle American Pit Bull Terrier won. He’s a lot of fun to watch, incredibly athletic. I think this is something Midas could maybe do eventually.
Mason’s First Time in the Pool. Puppies have to be 6 months old to compete. Mason is barely reaching 4. But I figured the earlier the better to get used to the surroundings, the atmosphere, the people, dogs, and the water and the ramp. With some assistance we got Mason up on the top of the ramp (he wobbled going up the end puppy enthusiasm and klutziness) and going toward the water. He stalled momentarily, until he saw that I was holding the bumper in the water, then he just plowed right into the pool! It was so great! I think he would go anywhere for that bumper. Definitely a future dock jumper here. Eric thinks he would jump off the dock now, but it’s also tall and he’s scared to jump out of the truck yet.
Other People and Their Dogs. I met a ton of people that up until now I had only read about, read posts of and “talked to” on the forum. I met Sara, who is the one I emailed to get my registration to go through online. She has a beautiful German Shorthaired Pointer named Oskar, a Weimaraner, and an Australian Cattle Dog named Carly. I met Milt’s dog who was running around off-leash, Sparky – he has fantastic training. He even knows how to jump up the side of the pool, and balance while looking in. I met Jeff, Rajah’s owner and saw his wife Beth who jumps their GSP, Moose. I also met MaraLee the (official?) secretary and organizing wonder of UAD and her daughter Lynnie. Lynnie jumped a fox red lab named Lucy. There was a girl there (whose name I didn’t catch), who was jumping a 6 month old Golden Retriever named Powder. He was so darn cute, he did pretty well too. It was impressive. There were a lot of beautiful dogs running around (attached to owners) because of the dog show. Everyone was extremely nice and friendly and I had so much fun. I bought a UAD shirt and a new bumper with tugs on either side (which I am sure Mason will absolutely love). I am completely and totally hooked and can’t wait for the next event.