The Liver Killers: Dock Diving 2015 Season in Review

THE LIVER KILLERS 2015 DOCK DIVING SEASON IN REVIEW!

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The dock diving season technically ends in mid-October, with the World Championships being held in November.  We have officially completed our season, and what a season we had!

  • Cello had and absolutely incredible season, earning an invite to the World Championships in every discipline possible!
  • We thought Hooch would never jump – not only did he jump – he entertained everyone with the “Hoochie Hop” – -but only for a short time as he soared to over 24 feet in just 6 months of diving at a mere 1 year old! Hooch also ranked #1 German Shorthaired Pointer for Big Air in the United States, and 2nd GSP in the WORLD – by less than an inch!
  • Lager came in to our lives unexpectedly, and without any training, and jumped like a boss, earning an invitation to the World Championships after participating in just 2 national events!
  • Limoncello was offered a sponsorship from TurboPUP.
  • Cello and Hooch made the front page of the top local newspapers
  • News teams came to our house to do features on Cello, Hooch, and Lager  – and they all made the top TV news channels with their stories.
  • Cello and Hooch had a story published in a world-wide published magazine.
  • Lager had a story published in a local magazine.

TOMMY D’s LIMONCELLO

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Brian’s main goal this season was to earn an invitation to the World Championship with Cello in Warrior Division Iron Dog (a combined averaged score of Big Air, Extreme Vertical, and Speed Retrieve).  Not only did Brian and Cello achieve this goal, they did so very early in the season at the Wild Card event at Cabela’s in West Virginia during the month of May!

WORLDS INVITE

Little did we know that was just the beginning of Cello’s road to Worlds!  Brian and Cello went on to earn an invite in Speed Retrieve (also earned at the Wild Card event at Cabela’s in West Virginia)

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But that’s not where Cello’s invites ended!  She earned an invite for Dueling Dogs, after participating in that discipline for the first time ever at the Mid Atlantic Regionals, held at Shipps Corner Pet Spa in Virginia Beach.

Cello Dueling Dogs

At the end of the season, we found out her rankings from sanctioned facility events also earned her an invite in Extreme Vertical, as well as Big Air!

Cello EV

Cello BA

OVERALL WORLD RANKINGS:

  • BIG AIR:
    • 5th ranked German Shorthaired Pointer
    • Master Titled
    • 23′ 3″ average
  • SPEED RETRIEVE:
    • 2nd ranked German Shorthaired Pointer
    • Express Titled
    • 7.964 average
  • EXTREME VERTICAL:
    • 4th ranked German Shorthaired Pointer
    • Cadet Titled
    • 5′ 2″ average
  • IRON DOG:
    • 2nd ranked German Shorthaired Pointer
    • Warrior Titled
    • 2754.67 average

UNITED STATES OVERALL RANKINGS:

  • BIG AIR:
    • 4th ranked German Shorthaired Pointer
    • Master Titled
    • 22’3″ average
  • SPEED RETRIEVE:
    • 2nd ranked German Shorthaired Pointer
    • Express Titled
    • 7.964 average
  • EXTREME VERTICAL:
    • 4th ranked German Shorthaired Pointer
    • Cadet Titled
    • 5’2″ average
  • IRON DOG:
    • #1 ranked German Shorthaired Pointer
    • Warrior Titled
    • 2754.67 average

Cello ended the season with an injury.  While competing at the indoor event at the  Pittsburgh Pet Expo in Pittsburgh, PA, Cello slipped on the wet floor, and strained muscles in her neck and front leg.  Unfortunately this meant pain meds and lots of rest during the 2 weeks leading up to Worlds.  We are hopeful that she will be be back to 100% for the World Championship competition.

Windy Spot’s Homemade Hooch

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As a puppy, Hooch wanted NOTHING to do with water of any sort.  He slowly began to realize water wasn’t so bad, and cautiously went into our lake and into a baby pool.  The weather quickly became what was to be the coldest, snowiest winter we’ve ever had, and access to water became difficult.  We took Hooch to some indoor pools, were he felt comfortable jumping in at the water’s edge.  However, when he found himself up on a regulation dock, which sits 2 feet above the water, Hooch gave dock diving a second thought.  Hooch kicked off his dock diving career in January being very hesitant on the dock.  He would run down the dock, get to the edge and “teeter” for a long while – sometimes not jumping and timing-out, and other times projecting himself off the edge of the dock as if he had springs in his back legs, only landing a few feet into the water!  He quickly became a crowd favorite with his “Hoochie Hop,” as the crowd waited in anticipation to see if he would POP off the dock…or not!  By about April, he was “hopping” out to about 7-8 feet, still hesitating, and still choosing not to jump at times.  By May we discovered that with Jenny running down the dock with him, Hooch would hesitate less.  This technique got Hooch leaping up to 17 – 18 feet by the beginning of June. By mid June we had switched to the “Place and Send” method, bringing Hooch to the very back of the dock (Thank you Frank Moraff for forcing me to do this!!) With that change came great results.  Hooch jumped 21 feet in mid-June, and by the end of June soared 23’8″ and earned his invitation to Worlds at 13 months old ! By July, Hooch jumped his current personal best, 24’2″, and also earned a second invitation to the World Championship for Cadet Division Extreme Vertical.  In September, Hooch was nominated for “Most Improved” for the Golden Paw Awards, held at the Gala during The World Championship celebration, and was voted to be one of the finalists for the award.

Hooch BA

Hooch EV

Here is my absolute favorite video from this season:  It captures Hooch’s progression from being fearful of water, to his 23+ ft jump that earned him his Big Air Invite to the World Championship!

OVERALL WORLD RANKINGS:

  • BIG AIR:
    • 2nd ranked German Shorthaired Pointer
    • Elite Titled
    • 23′ 7.4 ” average
  • EXTREME VERTICAL:
    • 2nd ranked German Shorthaired Pointer
    • Cadet Titled
    • 5′ 10.7″ average

UNITED STATES OVERALL RANKINGS:

  • BIG AIR:
    • #1 ranked German Shorthaired Pointer
    • Elite Titled
    • 23′ 7.4 ” average
  • EXTREME VERTICAL:
    • 4th ranked German Shorthaired Pointer
    • Cadet Titled
    • 5’2″ average

Brogan’s American Lager

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Lager came home with us on August 23, apparently born to be a dock diver, not an Explosives Detection Canine!  When the training company who had Lager (known then as Nayt) saw how much he loved the water, they contacted DockDogs in hopes to find a family who were familiar with the breed, had access to water for him to swim, and would promise to get him dock diving.  Read the full story on how Lager became a part of our pack by clicking HERE! The first day Lager came home, he was exposed to water, and had no fear  of the lake, or jumping off the dock.  He had a perfect sit-stay, and seemed like he came to us with the Big Air discipline of dock diving mastered!  In less than a week’s time, Lager also picked up on Extreme Vertical, easily grabbing the bumper on our home rig.  Lager competed in just 2 national level events, and earned himself an invitation to the World Championships in Big Air!

Lager Big Air Senior

OVERALL WORLD RANKINGS:

  • BIG AIR:
    • 9th ranked German Shorthaired Pointer
    • Senior Titled
    • 19′ 10.4″ average

UNITED STATES OVERALL RANKINGS:

  • BIG AIR:
    • 7th ranked German Shorthaired Pointer
    • Senior Titled
    • 19′ 10.4″ average

GIVING BACK:

The Liver Killers are also happy to report that through their 2015 winnings, an abundance of food, toys, and supplies were donated to the Animal Orphanage of Voorhees, NJ, and over $1,100 was donated to the GSP Rescue of NJ!

OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS THIS SEASON:

  • TV News:
    • Channel 6 ABC: 
      • Full story and news clip video:  http://6abc.com/pets/2-south-jersey-dogs-are-national-dock-diving-champs/965961/
    • Fox 29: 
      • Full story and news clip video:  http://www.fox29.com/news/29140110-story

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WORLDS BLING:

In preparation for The Liver Killers World Championship competition in Dubuque, Iowa in November, we ordered some cool team gear:

Team Shirts and and Hoodies from CustomInk

When Custom Ink found out that The Liver Killers donate all their cash prizes to the GSP Rescue of NJ , they made a donation to the rescue in honor of Cello’s Corner and The Liver Killers! How cool is that?!

Window decals for our vehicles from Vistaprint

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Car magnets from Vistaprint

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Team banner from Half Price Banners

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And of course, “pawtograph” cards – made by our friend, Mandy!

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After the season our team has had, it won’t matter to us what happens at Worlds – we are beyond proud of all three of our pups- and overjoyed that we have the opportunity to share this experience as a family!

As we begin to pack for our big adventure, we continue to reflect back on the amazing season these pups had.  We will cherish every memory – the highs and lows – the laughter and the tears – the (very) early mornings – the late nights watching EV under the lights – and the comradery shared with friends at events.  We are truly blessed to be part of such a great community (humans and animals alike).  Never have we met such a large group of the nicest people who not only strive to improve within their own team, but will at the same time stop and help other fellow competitors to enhance their game, and applaud fellow opponents just as enthusiastically as they cheer on their own dog.   The patience, advice, support, and guidance we have received from friends, family, fellow competitors, and social media followers is overwhelming, and greatly appreciated.  Thank you all for being part of this thrilling escapade with us.  We look forward to writing the next chapter of this adventure together!

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Hebron Harvest Fair, Hebron, CT: Wild Card Event

We chose to add this event to our list in order to try and secure a DockDogs World Championship invite for Lager.

 

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LIMONCELLO:

Big Air:

22’2″     21’5″                     1st Place Master

20’6″     21’4″                     2nd Place Master

20’9″     20’11”                  3rd Place Master

20’0″     20’4″                   1st Place Master

Finals:  18’11’     21’7″       2nd Place Pro

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Extreme Vertical:

Cello did not do Extreme Vertical at this event.

Speed Retrieve

8.190  First Place Express

 

HOOCH:

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Big Air:

20’11”     21’5″

22’5″     22’11”

20’9″     20’5″

Finals:  20’10”     20’11”     4th Place Pro

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Extreme Vertical:

6’2″                                    4th Place Top Gun

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LAGER:

Big Air:

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21’3″     20’0″

19’2″     18’9″                   Third Place Senior

17’11”     19’0″                  First Place Senior

16’0″     18’9″

13’3″     18’0″                  First Place Senior

 

Finals:  19’4″                  5th Place Semi Pro

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Extreme Vertical:

6’4″                                    3rd Place Top Gun !! Amazing!

 

Lager JUST missed getting an invite to the World Championships at this event – but we were so SO proud of him and his performance!

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Hooch’s Second Invitation to the DockDogs World Championships!

It’s official!  Hooch’s Extreme Vertical Invitation came via email today!

He earned this by coming in first place in the Cadet Division Extreme Vertical discipline at the Bark in the Park Wild Card event!

Hooch EV

Codorus Blast, Codorus State Park, Hanover, PA

This venue was new for Hooch, but this was our second year competing in Codorus Blast with Cello.  For this event, we camped at Merry Meadows Recreation Farm.

In this event, the dogs jump in to a lake instead of a pool.

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Brian did some announcing this weekend:

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CELLO:

Brian felt as though Cello was getting a bit burned out, so he decided to rest her this weekend, with the exception of Speed Retrieve.

SPEED RETRIEVE:

8.344 seconds

HOOCH:

Hooch earned new personal bests again this weekend!  He also earned himself a spot in the Masters Finals for the very first time!

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BIG AIR:

17’1″     15’8″

17’0″     18’6″

20’1″     19’9″       NEW PERSONAL BEST

21’0″     19’10”     NEW PERSONAL BEST

16’9″     16’6″       6th Place Masters Finals (First time in Masters Finals!!)

Hooch also got his very first Super Fly Suit!

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EXTREME VERTICAL:

It was pouring rain during Extreme Vertical…but Hooch managed to grab the bumper at 6’0″ , earning himself a new personal best!

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Starting height:  5’4″

End Height:  6’0″        NEW PERSONAL BEST!

Even though there were storms off-and-on throughout the weekend, it was great fun!  We look forward to attending this venue next year!

Dog Fest of Zoar, Zoar, OH

Cello and Hooch added a new state to their States Visited Maps, and competed in the Dog Fest of Zoar dock diving competition in the Historic Zoar Village, in Ohio.  We camped at the Canton/East Sparta KOA for this event.

CELLO:

BIG AIR:

Zoar 8

21’10”     21’0″

17’1″       19’2″     4th Place Elite Finals

HOOCH:

We specifically came to this event so that Hooch could get another wave of EV toward his title.  However, when we let him jump in Big Air, he earned a new Personal Best of 19’11” – which also earned him a spot in the Senior Finals!  This would be Hooch’s first Senior Finals!

Big Air:

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19’11”     14’2″     (New Personal Best!!)

19’3″       19’11”   First Place Senior Finals!

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EXTREME VERTICAL:

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Start Height:  5’2″

End Height:  5’10”  New Personal Best, and 2nd Place Cadet Finals!

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Overall, this was a fun event in a really neat historic town.  We hope to visit Zoar again some day!

Back to the Splash Spring Fling at Shipps Corner, Virginia Beach, VA

Now THIS was a fun event! Cello and Hooch participated in Shipps Corner’s Back to the Splash Spring Fling.

This National event was an 80’s theme, and everyone was encouraged to dress and decorate in the 80’s fashion.

Hooch immediately flaunted his swag:

Our team canopy was decorated with 80’s bling:

Hooch had himself an 80’s boom box:

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There was an 80’s playlist jamming all weekend long, and the dock was also decorated 80’s style:

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They used 80’s style bracelets in place of the regular Handlers’ bracelets:

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Besides this event being an absolute blast, Limoncello and Hooch each ROCKED the dock!  Check out the results below!

LIMONCELLO

Extreme Vertical:

5’4″

Big Air :

21’0″     21’0″      Second Place Master Division

21’1″     20’1″     First Place Master Division

21’2″     20’3″     Third Place Master Division

21’5″     21’5″     First Place Master Division

BIG AIR SEMI-PRO FINALS:

21’3″     19’11”   First Place Semi Pro Division

Speed Retrieve:

8.378     8.052     First Place Express Division

Iron Dog:

2789.90     First Place Warrior

HOOCH

Big Air:

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10’4″     14’5″     First Place Junior Division

9’5″       10’6″

10’5″     16’1”     NEW PERSONAL BEST!

10’0″     14’7″     First Place Junior Division

8’7″        12’5″

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Speed Retrieve (first time EVER!!!)

Brian held Hooch so that he could see the other dogs performing Speed Retrieve:

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Although he hesitated at the end of the dock, which made his score very low, he  did jump off and retrieve the bumper at the end of the pool – so we are extremely proud of Hooch for catching on to this “new game” so quickly!

17.564     17.878

We all had a great 80’s weekend!

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Family Fun Day, Elkton, MD

Cello and Hooch’s first outdoor dock diving event of 2015 was held in Elkton, MD, at an event called Family Fun Day.

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Our spot in “Dog Town:”

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Cello:

Cello did not jump her best this weekend, but still put on a good show for the crowd!

Despite the fact that she was leaving early from the dock, which really affected her scores, Cello still won several medals this weekend!!

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Big Air:

19′ 11″

18′ 11″

18′ 2″

18′ 2″

19′ 4″

18′ 11″

18′ 11″

19′ 6″

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Extreme Vertical:

 5′ 0″        Second Place (Cadet Division)

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Speed Retrieve:

7.523 seconds – (a new Personal Best!!!!)           4th Place (Turbo Division)

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Iron Dog:

2691.44 points           First Place Iron Dog (Warrior Division)

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Hooch:

Hooch had been holding a sit/stay, and jumping in our lake at home with no hesitation for about the past month.  However, this did not transfer to the DockDogs dock and pool!  Hooch still will not sit/stay for me up on the dock, and still hesitated at the edge of the dock, ending with a “pop” when we least expected it.  He was quite the crowd-pleaser with his “Hoochie Hop!”

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Big Air:

8′ 2″           First Place (Novice Division)

7′ 6″

8′ 3″

9′ 0″          First Place (Novice Division)

9′ 2″          Second Place (Novice Division)

8′ 0″

8’10”          Second Place (Novice Division)

8′ 8″

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Overall, we had a great weekend with many good friends and lots of cool pups!

Virginia World of Pets Expo, Hampton, VA

What a fun and exciting Valentines Day weekend we had!

We took a 5.5 hour drive down to Hampton, Virginia, for Cello and Hooch to participate in the World of Pets Expo dock diving competition,”Lover’s Leap,”  hosted by Tidewater DockDogs.

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In celebration of Valentine’s Day, there was a Pawentine’s Box decorating contest.

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Before we left, I built our Pawentine’s Box.  Here are the pictures after I built the box with foam board and a hot glue gun:

Here is the final product:

 

There were many other great Pawentine’s Boxes in the contest as well:

We made Pawentine cards to place in the other boxes:

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Hooch and Cello received lots of really cute Pawentines in our box!

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The dog treats above were homemade by our friend, Mandy. Check out her Face Book page – her cookies are AMAZING!

We won the contest!

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Although Cello has not been performing up to her last season’s standards, she had a great weekend!  Cello competed as an Iron Dog, and participated in all three events: Big Air, Extreme Vertical, and Speed Retrieve.

In Big Air, Cello’s longest jump of the weekend was 21’11.”  She made the Elite Finals, and placed Third.

In Extreme Vertical, She reached a height of 5’4,” and placed Third overall in the Cadet Division.

Cello set a new Personal Best in Speed Retrieve at 8.788 seconds:

…AND Cello placed FIRST in Iron Dog in the Warrior Division!  Way to go, Cello!

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Hooch also had a BIG weekend!  He placed in every Big Air wave he jumped in, and earned his first First Place ribbon!

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In just his second event ever, Hooch even made Novice Finals – and placed Second!

Hooch was once again, a crowd-pleaser, with his last-minute “pop” off the dock:

Hooch’s best jump of the weekend was 8’10”

While we were there, someone recognized Cello from our Instagram account — our friends, Cyndee and Lola – – How cool is THAT?!?!

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This was a SUPER-fun event, and the best Valentine’s Day weekend ever!

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Cello and Hooch hope everyone had a great Valentine’s Day!

Hooch’s First Dock Diving Practice With Keystone DockDogs, Canine Spa, Dillsburg, PA

Yesterday we took Cello and Hooch up to Canine Spa in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania for Hooch’s first-ever dock diving practice with Keystone DockDogs members.

POOL BUILDING-GOOD SHOT USE

We were not sure if he would jump in or not – we were pleasantly surprised!

First, we just tried the “Place and Send Method” from the edge of the dock to see if he would jump in for his toy.  Read more about the Place and Send technique HERE.

Once we knew Hooch would jump in, I tried the “Chase Method” next.  Read more about the Chase technique HERE.

We were so proud of Hooch, and Jenny was so happy she didn’t fall in !