CATCH CANINE ACADEMY
Vulcan takes a dive .
But I had the benefit of experience . I pulled out the floatable , Kong ® Wubba™ and gave it a little shake . “ There you are !” I exclaimed , as Bliss turned toward me , tongue lolling , expectant of the chase-tug game she was sure was coming . She was right ; and in a few short tosses , I had my dog back . Other people and dogs soon arrived .
When Kara started the class , she invited us to go first , since we ’ d gotten there first . I declined , finding myself suddenly shy . I ’ ve only been on a dock one time before , and I wasn ’ t sure what Kara would want us to do . I didn ’ t know the lingo . Which “ ramp ” did Kara mean , when she said , “ We ’ ll start on the ramp , then see what your dogs want to do .” I saw three ramps … one on either side of the platform with gates and one next to the jumping area , that went down into the water . When would she begin evaluating the dog ? I didn ’ t want to make newbie mistakes . I ’ d rather watch someone else go first . “ I still need to put on her life jacket — you can let someone else go ,” I replied . I shouldn ’ t have worried .
Kara was an amazing instructor , encouraging , flexible and patient . I watched her speak to the student before me and guide him to help his dog , Falkor , succeed . They began on the ramp that led right into the water ( Oh , that ramp !) And in a few throws , his dog was ready to try from the dock . As they continued practicing , I saw Kara focusing on what her student was doing right . She was ignoring any missteps and cheering enthusiastically when Falkor leaped into the water with no hesitation . Truthfully , we all cheered .
It was our turn next . I ’ d put Bliss ’ life-vest on her — none of the other dogs were wearing one — and the fluorescent orange glowed rookie . “ She ’ s totally vertical in the water when she ’ s stressed or tired ,” I explained , pointing to the neon jacket . “ It ’ s fine ; let ’ s see what she thinks ,” Kara pointed to the water . “ This is just for fun .” And with that simple statement , I relaxed . Fun . Yes . I looked at Bliss and her eyes were sparkling and she clearly meant : Let ’ s do the thing !
Bliss waiting her turn .
I took Bliss ’ leash off and she bounced around the deck ; ran up to the edge , peered into the water . Bliss had never seen a clear pool before . All her swimming lessons were in lake water , with me in it , right next to her . I had been focused on ensuring she could swim successfully . It had taken two months of almost daily swimming alongside her to get to the point where she could swim short distances without her vest . More than once , I ’ d kept her afloat , after taking her vest off . I ’ d not really practiced tossing a toy into the water while I was on land … Jumping into clear water without me was a big shift . I ’ d worn my swimsuit , just in case .
We started on the ramp — the one into the water , of course . I tossed the toy and Bliss ran down the ramp and plowed in with the force of a polar bear , sending water spraying in thick plumes to each side . Another try and Bliss again demonstrated no hesitation . Kara grinned , “ Let ’ s try her from the dock .”
Bliss and I started together from about 12 feet away from the edge . I teased her a bit with her Wubba™ , then ran up to the edge and tossed it in . Bliss sped to the edge … and stopped . She looked up at me . I urged her : “ Get it !” Kara ’ s high-pitched staccato on the other side , “ Gittitgititgitittt !” Bliss stood there , looking at the toy , then looking up at me – Are you going in ? – we asked each other .
“ Let ’ s try again ,” Kara suggested . We let Bliss retrieve the toy by running down the ramp into the water . We repeated the build up and ran together to the edge of the dock . I stopped . Bliss stopped . I looked at Kara . “ She ’ ll follow me anywhere … can I jump in ?” I asked . “ It ’ s only 4 feet – be careful !”
Shameless , I stripped off my T-shirt to my swim top underneath . I had on swim shorts and was ready to get soaked for my dog to gain courage . “ Ready , ready , ready …” I slapped the toy onto the deck , thrilling Bliss . I tossed it into the pool and then jumped . Before I could turn around , Bliss was on top of me in the water . I hooted
40 Building Better Trainers Through Education Photos : Kara Hamilton Photography