A dock-diving dynamic

Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.

It all started with the Monticello Watermelon Festival six years ago. Caitlin Harrison had brought her dog, Caliber, to enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of the annual festivities, and was delighted to discover the addition of a dock diving competition for dogs that year. It was called Ultimate Air Dogs, and individuals were encouraged to bring their dogs from far and wide to compete in a variety of water games. Beginners and experts alike took to the dock to test their skills and hopefully win a prize.
That first try at dock diving was all it took for Harrison and Caliber to get hooked, and after the Watermelon Festival fun was over, Harrison began looking into similar events nearby. It didn't take long for her to discover a dock diving event in Cairo, Ga., and she and Caliber began their prestigious journey into the world of dog water sports. Six years later, Caliber has performed highly in many competitions, including being ranked the #1 English Cocker Spaniel in the United States and Canada with North American Diving Dogs (NADD) in their distance category for the last five years in a row.
NADD is an organization that works with dock diving facilities and competitors across the United States, all while welcoming any dog to participate in their competitions. The titles and awards given by NADD are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), but a dog does not need to possess an AKC Pedigree or be registered with the AKC in order to participate. The many competitions are open to any and all breeds of dogs, and they welcome dogs of any age and size as well.
There are three general categories when it comes to canine dock diving competitions. The first is Distance. In a distance competition, a dog will be judged based on how far they can jump off of a dock and into the water. This distance is measured from where the base of their tail hits the water as they land. The second category is called the Hydro-dash. In this competition, dogs are judged based on speed. Each dog is measured by how fast they can swim from where they leap off the dock to retrieve a toy in the water, and return to touch their nose to a 10 foot marker on the edge of the pool. The third category is called Air Retrieve. In this competition, dogs are judged based on their ability to reach and dislodge a bumper that is suspended in the air above the pool as they leap from the dock.
Caliber is a seven year old English Cocker Spaniel and has proven herself to be quite a talented dock diver. Not only has she been ranked number one in the distance category for the last five years, but she has also earned the title of Champion at the NADD National Air Retrieve competition, and has placed highly each of the six years she has attended nationals. This is significant, considering there are thousands of highly skilled dogs that compete at these competitions.
Harrison says that this amazing, champion dog came to her by happenstance, and that she had no idea when she first got her what she would one day be able to achieve.
“I got her from a random plantation out of Nashville, Ga.,” she says, “She was about six or seven weeks old, and was registered with the AKC.” Harrison says there was no way of knowing when she picked Caliber that she would someday become a champion dog. “I just got lucky.”
It would seem that greatness runs in Caliber's genetics somewhere, however, as Harrison reveals that many of her puppies have also become highly notable dogs in the canine competition world.
“Both of the puppies that we have kept from Caliber are also champion dogs,” says Harrison, “And we have heard from the owners of some of her other puppies that they, too, have performed well in competitions and shows.”
Lark, a puppy from Caliber's first litter, lives in Havana with her owner, Lynn. She excels in agility and also participates in dock diving on the side. Libby, who is a puppy from Caliber's second litter, also does dock diving. She currently lives in Tallahassee with her owner, Julia. Even the sire of Caliber's litters, named Rooster, is highly achieved in obedience, dock diving and other dog sports.
Harrison and her family have kept two of Caliber's talented puppies; one from each litter. Milli, a puppy from Caliber's first litter, currently lives with Harrison's parents in Monticello, and does dock diving and fast cat. Smokey, who was the only male in Caliber's second litter, currently lives in Monticello with Harrison's grandparents (Paul and Kathy Shepard), and is highly accomplished in the Hydro-dash. In fact, this April, Smokey was featured performing in the Hydro-dash competition in the 2023 AKC Diving Dogs Challenge that was aired on ESPN. Although he did not win this year, his time was impressive, measuring at just a hair over 17 seconds. Both Milli and Smokey have also joined their mother in competitions at the regional level and performed well.
While her puppies are still just beginning their competition legacies, a seventh birthday marks a big year for Caliber, as it qualifies her to be entered into the NADD Hall of Fame. While Harrison maintains that there's no way to predict if Caliber will make it in to this high honorary title, she has a good chance at being considered, especially given her record of achievements in NADD competitions.
Harrison says that despite all of the awards and title rankings, her favorite part of participating in these water sports with her dogs at the end of the day is the enjoyment the dogs get out of it.
“I just want them to have fun,” she says. “I see a lot of people push their dogs too hard, and the dogs get burned out. I of course want my dogs to do well, and there is a certain level of competition involved, but I also want my dogs to enjoy it. That's all that matters.”
As far as enjoying it goes, there can be no denying that Caliber, Milli and Smokey all love competing in water sports. Harrison says that while the pressure of competing in front of a large crowd can be a little nerve-wracking, the dogs know exactly what to do once they are up on the dock.
“It can be intimidating,” says Harrison. “I want to do things right and do everything correctly to help them as best as I can. But most of the time, they are pulling us up onto the dock, and can't wait to get started.”
Aside from the attraction of winning titles and awards, dock diving sports are an excellent way for any dog to burn off excess energy and have a lot of fun. Any dog can learn to be a great dock diving dog, and Harrison recommends that anyone who is interested in starting the process of dock diving should find a trainer in their area who can walk them through the process and advise them from a professional level.
“Having someone who knows the sport guiding you through the starting process is very helpful,” says Harrison. “Even if competition isn't for you, it's nice to give dogs an outlet instead of just being a pet. At the end of the day, you'll have a great time as long as you're doing it for the right reasons.”
When she and her dogs are not out there competing in the wide world, Harrison likes to spend time at home. Although she is originally from Monticello and still has family in the area, she received a job promotion about a year ago that relocated her to Panama City. She is engaged to Michael D'Arville, whom she describes as her other half. The pair have been together for two years and are happily expecting a baby in June.
Although this year has been a busy one, Harrison enjoys showing horses as well when she gets the chance. Her last horse show was in December, and she says she will likely put future horse competitions on hold until the baby comes. For now, she is enjoying her dog competitions and her new position working in Sales and Business Development for CWR Contracting.
This week, all three of her dogs will give it their all on April 29 at the 24K Retrievers competition that will take place in Cairo, Ga. If they perform well in the jumps, they will qualify to attend this year's regional competition. After that, it will be on to nationals at the end of October! Good luck, Caliber, Smokey and Milli!

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While her puppies are still just beginning their competition legacies, a seventh birthday marks a big year for Caliber, as it qualifies her to be entered into the NADD Hall of Fame. While Harrison maintains that there's no way to predict if Caliber will make it in to this high honorary title, she has a good chance at being considered, especially given her record of achievements in NADD competitions.
Harrison says that despite all of the awards and title rankings, her favorite part of participating in these water sports with her dogs at the end of the day is the enjoyment the dogs get out of it.
“I just want them to have fun,” she says. “I see a lot of people push their dogs too hard, and the dogs get burned out. I of course want my dogs to do well, and there is a certain level of competition involved, but I also want my dogs to enjoy it. That's all that matters.”
As far as enjoying it goes, there can be no denying that Caliber, Milli and Smokey all love competing in water sports. Harrison says that while the pressure of competing in front of a large crowd can be a little nerve-wracking, the dogs know exactly what to do once they are up on the dock.
“It can be intimidating,” says Harrison. “I want to do things right and do everything correctly to help them as best as I can. But most of the time, they are pulling us up onto the dock, and can't wait to get started.”
Aside from the attraction of winning titles and awards, dock diving sports are an excellent way for any dog to burn off excess energy and have a lot of fun. Any dog can learn to be a great dock diving dog, and Harrison recommends that anyone who is interested in starting the process of dock diving should find a trainer in their area who can walk them through the process and advise them from a professional level.
“Having someone who knows the sport guiding you through the starting process is very helpful,” says Harrison. “Even if competition isn't for you, it's nice to give dogs an outlet instead of just being a pet. At the end of the day, you'll have a great time as long as you're doing it for the right reasons.”
When she and her dogs are not out there competing in the wide world, Harrison likes to spend time at home. Although she is originally from Monticello and still has family in the area, she received a job promotion about a year ago that relocated her to Panama City. She is engaged to Michael D'Arville, whom she describes as her other half. The pair have been together for two years and are happily expecting a baby in June.
Although this year has been a busy one, Harrison enjoys showing horses as well when she gets the chance. Her last horse show was in December, and she says she will likely put future horse competitions on hold until the baby comes. For now, she is enjoying her dog competitions and her new position working in Sales and Business Development for CWR Contracting.
This week, all three of her dogs will give it their all on April 29 at the 24K Retrievers competition that will take place in Cairo, Ga. If they perform well in the jumps, they will qualify to attend this year's regional competition. After that, it will be on to nationals at the end of October! Good luck, Caliber, Smokey and Milli!