Freedom Festival Let’s Try DockDogs
Returning in 2024 is the highly anticipated Let's Try DockDogs, with pre-registration required. Let’s Try DockDogs allows enthusiastic dog owners and their canine companions to showcase their agility and love for the water. Register to compete with your favorite furry friend here
Let’s Try Dockdogs Information and Rules
General Information:
You will be given a time slot in a grouping of 5, please arrive a few minutes before your scheduled time.
A team is made up of a Handler and a canine, and you are a TEAM, you each have a role to play. Because of this, the registration is for a single team, not one person, many dogs, many persons of the same family and their many dogs; just one dockdogs team.
The let’s Try group of handlers who will be working with your dog AND you are comprised of competitors from around the Midwest who have many years and many championships under their belts in a variety of dog sports and dockdogs. Listen to them, the advice they give is because they have seen what works and what doesn’t.
Please visit the dockdogs.com website and read through the general “Get Started”. The Disciplines and the rules. You don’t have to have everything memorized, but a good basic knowledge of dockdogs is encouraged.
DO NOT SIGN UP FOR ANY WAVES AT THIS TIME – It’s cheaper to sign up in advance, however, without knowing if your dog will even go off the dock, even if, “they do it all the time at the lake…” you could end up spending way more than you want. If you do want to sign up for a wave, or multiples (one, to two per day) ONLY sign up for Big Air. That is the easiest entry level competition.
Rules:
PICK UP AFTER YOUR PET. No exceptions. If a pet owner is observed not being responsible, they will be asked to leave the dockdogs event area without refund. If you need a bag, just ask. Before you even finish the sentence, 20 people will be handing you a bag.
Pups must be 6 mos. or older to jump off the dock – This is for the safety of the pup’s growing bones. IF your pup is younger than 6 months, we will teach your pup how to swim.
Handlers must be 7 years of age or older. Normally for dockdogs, only one handler is allowed on the dock at a time. For let’s try we will make exceptions for parents to assist.
The normal rule for leashes is 4 feet long and dogs need to be separated by 8 feet at all times. For Let’s try, we do not expect you to buy new equipment. Just choke up on the leash and don’t allow dogs to come nose to nose with each other. They may be the greatest playmate in the world, but it’s amazing how their personalities will change when they know they’re competing.
Only one dog is allowed off leash at a time and that is the dog on the dock.
No choke collars, prong collars, martingale, or e-collars are allowed on the dock, on or off the dog. This is for safety in case the collar gets caught on something. Flat collars are recommended, or, let your dog play naked.
No food or treats are allowed on the dock.
Bring a toy that the pup will absolutely go bonkers and do anything for. The toy must float, be retrievable and it MUST NOT be alive, or ever have been alive.
ABSOLUTELY NO PUSHING OR THROWING THE DOG INTO THE WATER!!! You may box them in, but they have to enter the water on their own volition – We will coach you through it.
If your dog is in heat, please leave her at home. For Let’s Try, we will refund the money. Anyone at any time may request a dog be checked.
Calling all amateur dogs and their dedicated owners!
If you've ever wondered about unleashing the untapped potential of your canine companion, here's your golden opportunity! We invite you to join us in the thrilling world of DockDogs before the seasoned professionals take the docks. Bring your enthusiasm, wagging tails, and unbridled spirit as we encourage amateur dogs to take the plunge and make a splash in the pool. It's not just a competition; it's an experience that fosters camaraderie and celebrates the unique bond between dogs and their owners. So, don't miss out—dive into the excitement, and let your amateur dog shine in the spotlight of DockDogs!
THANKS TO THESE SPONSORS FOR MAKING THIS EVENT POSSIBLE!
