Gwinnett Daily Post

BUFORD -- Dogs and their owners are invited to learn the ins and outs of the canine sport of dock diving this weekend.

Dixie Dock Dogs, a nonprofit organization benefiting canine charities through the sport of dock diving, will facilitate training sessions at Lake Harbor Marina on Saturday, introducing owners and their dogs to the recreational activity.

In dock diving, dogs scamper down a 40-foot dock to plunge into the waiting water, in one discipline jumping as far as possible, in a second jumping for height to capture a suspended bumper and in a third going for speed as the dogs run, jump and swim to as fast as possible retrieve an object.

Dogs that participate in Saturday's training sessions, which are $5 for one team consisting of a dog and a handler, will be given the opportunity to try all three disciplines.

"This should be an exciting day," said Bill Akin, president of Dixie Dock Dogs. "We get continuous inquiries from people wanting to know how they can train their dog for dock diving. It is such a rapidly growing canine sport because it's so much fun."

All breeds of dog are welcome to attend, including mixed breeds, but dogs must be at least six months old, current on all shots and not in heat. Owners are asked to bring along a floatable toy to throw, bags to pick up after their animal and a short leash.

For more information on Dock Diving 101, call Akin at 770-540-6539 or visit www.dixiedockdogs.com.