I know you get up to 4 jumps per day but do they always let you do 2 jumps back to back? That's actually really awesome and seems like it would keep things moving a bit? How much time do you wait in between your 2 sets of jumps?
You get 2 jumps per splash, the best of those jumps is your recorded score. If there is no "get wet" hour you also get an optional practice jump but it must be the first jump and you have to tell the judge it's practice soon as you get on the dock.
At large events like dog shows they have what's called Open dock. It will say on the website whether the event is open dock or not. This allows people to come in, check in, and then they give you a timecard to give to the schedule person. You can take this back with you and come back, typically anytime 2 hours before the last splash at the end of the day, or hand it to the scheduling person right away and get your name on the board for the time slot you want. So at Louisville there were two confo shows Ripley had at like noon, they typically are an hour long so we signed her up for like the 2pm time slot to be safe. Worked out great, we were able to show, change and put everything away. Basically, this is a "not before time" and they won't jump you until that time or later but not sooner.
I have never jumped her 4 splashes in one day. That would be 8 jumps total and I think she would be exhausted lol. But I believe the rules say you can jump 2 splashes per hour? At this event we did 2 splashes and signed her up with ~30 min between based on where we put her on the board. Could be longer since it's all in the same "hour slot" just she's further down the list the second time and each team can be fast or use all their allotted time. You get 4 minutes on the dock and must finish your splash before the time.
Unfortunately, I think they have gone back to the old school way just recently (unless at a dog show) where you have to show up in the am...and have to stay all day. I just saw a huge FB post of people complaining about it. I agree I LOVE the show n go style of open dock.
And has she always jumped without a vest? I think Moo will need one
Poor Moo not wanting to go under, lol. Yeah Rip has jumped without a vest for a while now, except when she was a bitty puppy learning how to swim. Once she showed she was a strong swimmer and knew how to safely get out at the ramp we removed it, she was probably a little over a year old. It definitely requires more energy and work for them to swim without, so good if you are looking for that.
And one more! It looks like you're able to touch your dog to encourage them?
Oh yes! You can have a holder hold your dog to release them. Have to be able to touch them then. Its a great time to rub them and amp them up. The toy tosser can play with them between jumps to reward and build that drive. You have 4 minutes on the dock. As the holder, I have to wrap my arms around Ripley's chest, she about pulls me over as she coils back like a spring or cocks herself like a loaded gun
You can't push your dog in. So when they hesitate you have to encourage them the best you can, sometimes leaning down and splashing the water helps.
I say go for it with Moo! They have practice where time allows and I think you can get up to 10 min of time. The judges are really friendly and want to see your dog get in!
) . She is simply SO fun and always gives everything her all.
Not only is Ripley totally beautiful she is a brilliant athlete. But best of all she absolutely loves life!
our trainer thinks his biggest challenge will be the 2ft drop into the water (vs the 1ft drop from our training pool).
