That earned the dog a spot in the dock jumping event at the Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge Eastern Region Qualifying Event in St. Petersburg, Fla., on May 3 and 4, J.D. McKnight said. There, Storie will compete against nine other dogs. The winner will compete in the finals.
In the dock jumping competition, the dog runs down a dock and jumps into a pool that is about 40 feet long and 4 feet deep. Often, the handler throws a toy, ball or retrieving dummy into the air to encourage the dog to jump.
Ronalee, who has competed in other dog sports including dog obedience and agility, first tried dock jumping a few years ago with the couple’s older Labrador retriever. Soon after, the couple bought a young Labrador retriever, Storie, and made plans to try dock jumping with her. The dog quickly took to the jumping and water.
Shortly before she turned a year old, Storie began competing in dock jumping. Now, 2.5 years old, the dog is jumping more than 27 feet.
“Her technique is so much better,” Ronalee said. “She’s gotten a little more mature.”
To get the dog to jump, the couple work as a team. Ronalee holds the dog while J.D. throws the toy. They have verbal cues to let the dog know when she will be released to run and jump.
During the winter months, Storie dog hasn’t been competing in dock jumping as often. However, the couple is keeping her in shape by taking her on jogs, playing Frisbee and practicing tossing her toy.
Ronalee also competes with the dog in rally obedience and dog agility.
“She’s been very busy,” Ronalee said.
If the weather warms, the couple hopes to practice with the dog in a pool before the competition. They’ve also entered the dog in a dock jumping competition in April.
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