WELCOME NEWBIES TO
GATEWAY DOCKDOGS 

Tips
Teaching Your Dog To Dock Dive by Dixie DockDogs member Sally
First Time Jumping?  by Dixie DockDogs
 How Do I Qualify for Nationals?
DockDogs Title Tracker
Please read the official Dock Dogs Rules and Policies
WHAT DO YOU BRING OR NEED FOR YOU AND YOUR DOG?

INDOOR EVENT
Dog Crate If you plan on staying for a while the dogs like to have their own space to lay down
4ft Leash The rules state that your leash cannot be more than 4ft in length and no flexi leads
Dogs favorite toy So they have something to go after in the pool.  Make sure that the toy floats.  Examples are plastic bumpers, water wooba or tennis ball
Towels To dry your dog off before you take them outside and getting into the car
Water & Bowl Some event sites have fresh water for the dogs just in case you might want to bring some
Food or Treats If you plan on staying all day you might want to bring a snack or food for your dog; they get hungry to
Poop Bags We definitely want to make sure we pick up after our dogs.  We want to make sure we are invited back
 
Chair  For you to have a place to rest with your dog
Drinks & Snacks Most events allow you to bring in your own drinks and snacks
Dry clothes and shoes Just in case you get wetter than you want.  Water proof shoes are nice to have on
Ribbons & Medals If your dog jumps in the water during a wave you will earn a ribbon or medal so remember to go by the registration table and collect your award
Arrive Arrive at least an hour before your scheduled wave.  That will give you time to check in at the registration table and get a few jumps in before the competition.
Please remember that these are item that others have thought were nice to have with them.

OUTDOOR EVENT
Dog Crate If you plan on staying for a while the dogs like to have their own space to lay down
4ft Leash The rules state that your leash cannot be more than 4ft in length and no flexi leads
Dogs favorite toy So they have something to go after in the pool.  Make sure that the toy floats.  Examples are plastic bumpers, water wooba or tennis ball
Towels To dry your dog off before you take them outside and getting into the car
Water & Bowl Some event sites have fresh water for the dogs just in case you might want to bring some
Food or Treats If you plan on staying all day you might want to bring a snack or food for your dog; they get hungry to
Poop Bags We definitely want to make sure we pick up after our dogs.  We want to make sure we are invited back
Battery operated Fan If it is a very hot day you can keep air moving in your dogs crate so they don’t get to hot
 
Chair  For you to have a place to rest with your dog
Drinks & Snacks Most events allow you to bring in your own drinks and snacks
Dry clothes and shoes Just in case you get wetter than you want.  Water proof shoes are nice to have on
Shade canopy Please remember to provide shade for your dog.  If it is a very hot day it is nice to be able to get out of the sun for you and your dog. 
Ribbons & Medals If your dog jumps in the water during a wave you will earn a ribbon or medal so remember to go by the registration table and collect your award
Arrive Arrive at least an hour before your scheduled wave.  That will give you time to check in at the registration table and get a few jumps in before the competition
Please remember that these are item that others have thought were nice to have with them,

PRACTICES
Poop Bags We definitely want to make sure we pick up after our dogs.  We want to make sure we are invited back
Water & Bowl Some event sites have fresh water for the dogs just in case you might want to bring some
4ft Leash The rules state that your leash cannot be more than 4ft in length and no flexi leads
Dogs favorite toy So they have something to go after in the pool.  Make sure that the toy floats) Examples are plastic bumpers, water wooba or tennis ball
Towels Something to dry off your dog before you put them in the car
 
Chair Some place to sit while waiting for your turn
Drinks  If you think you might want something to drink during practice
Extra shoes Your shoes always seem to get wet sandals are water proof shoes are nice
Please remember that these are item that others have thought were nice to have with them,
Rules and Policies
    • Leash cannot be more than 4 ft in length
    • Can use any floatable toy
    • When in line to jump, keep 6ft between you and the dog in front of you.
    • When competing in Big Air, the team gets 90 seconds to jump into the water (no pushing dog into water, will result in disqualifying)
    • One handler on the dock at a time
    • If owner falls in water, that jump is disqualified
    • No flexi leads
    • No dog treats up on the dock
    • No training collars on dogs on the dock (pinch, choker, etc.)
    • Clean up dog waste, the registration tables always have doggie waste bags
    • When waiting to go up on the dock:
      • please stay 4 ft away from the bottom of the stairs to the dock, so to not distract the dog that is currently competing or practicing.
      • please wait for the other owner to leash their dog and to exit down the stairs before getting on the dock
    • When practice jumping, please be courteous to others waiting in line:
      • let dry dogs jump first (if your dog has jumped and there is a dog that is dry and hasn't jumped please let them get in front of you and get a chance to jump their dog)
      • take 2 practice jumps
      • if there is only 5-10 mins left of practice time before the next event take one jump so others will get a chance to jump.
 
Disclaimer: Participating in DockDogs Big Air competitions WILL result in an addiction and desire to be with your dog, travel all over the Saint Louis area, as well as all over the country to watch your dog jump off of a dock! Joining the Gateway DockDogs Club will only make your addiction stronger and may be a difficult habit to break! Welcome to the DockDogs Family

Join the fun . . . . Gateway DockDogs!