Bliss first ramp jump . Catherine and Bliss splash .
and praised her . Kara was laughing and shaking her head . “ You said she ’ d follow you !” We both cheered for Bliss as she got her Wubba™ . “ Good girl !”
Back on the dock , I waved the toy in front of Bliss again , and ran to the edge , tossing the toy just before coming to a stop . Bliss followed the motion of my arm and leaped into the pool ! Kara and I yelled “ Good girl !!” and we high-fived . Our next few jumps were great , and I was thrilled with our first try at this new sport . We exited the dock to give the next dog , Annie , her turn .
As we sat poolside , I thought about how much fun this was , being the student , learning a new way to move my body , to interact with my dog . I enjoyed watching Kara teach – clearly passionate about this sport and bringing 110 percent to her students . I smiled at Bliss , enjoying her pacing impatiently for her next turn . She put her paws on my lap , licked my nose and with her amber eyes , begged me to take her back up there . This is so much fun ! she projected to me . “ Indeed it is , my girl ,” I said . Soon , it was our turn again . So satisfying . I loved the chance to begin learning a new way to partner with my dog .
Following our last turn from the dock , we watched little black and white Annie once more . Though Annie was happy to run down the ramp into the water , she couldn ’ t jump from the dock . She just pawed and fretted at the dock ’ s edge , even with both of her people in the water . It seemed she just couldn ’ t find the courage to leave the platform . Kara glanced over at us . “ Can Bliss come back up ?” but she just couldn ’ t do it , not today . “ That ’ s okay ,” Kara said , “ Maybe next time .”
Afterward , Kara gave me some pointers on doing “ groundwork ” with Bliss in preparation for our next class . “ Bliss did really well tonight – first she was a student , then she was a teacher ,” Kara said . “ She sure was !” I replied , “ It was a lot of fun !”
Kara reminded me that having fun is the best way to learn . Jumping into a new sport is a great way to better identify with the struggles of our own class “ rookies .” It ’ s powerful to learn new physical skills , to embrace what we don ’ t know , to feel like our students may , when they come to our training sessions . Finally , trying something new is a fun way to hit “ refresh ” for us and our dogs . Bliss and I are already signed up for our next dock diving class … and after that , I ’ m thinking we ’ ll try herding . I wonder what we ’ ll pick up , there ?
Catherine Comden , BA , CPDT-KA is Program Development Lead at CATCH Canine Trainers Academy . She ’ s competed in agility , obedience , and conformation , and has taught classes for service dogs and therapy dogs . Her two Australian Shepherds , Joy and Bliss , love joining her in lots of new , fun things .
I quickly put Bliss ’ life jacket on her and we joined Kara and Annie on the dock . Annie jealously watched Bliss fearlessly jump into the water and swim over to play with Annie ’ s people in the pool . Annie ’ s excitement and frustration grew ; she really wanted to go in . We tried several times to get Annie to make the leap ,
The APDT Chronicle of the Dog | Winter 2022 41