Is it different from dock diving?
Yes. Dock diving measures how far the dog jumps. Air retrieve judges precision: the object stays put and the dog has to snatch it out of the air at exactly the right moment.
Discs, balls and retrieving
Air Retrieve
Think of it as technical dock diving. The object hangs in the air over the water, a bit further out each round, and the dog has to snatch it mid-flight. Knocking it down and fishing it out of the water doesn't count.
About the discipline
What Air Retrieve is
Air retrieve runs on the same dock as dock diving. What's added is an arm reaching out over the water with a toy clipped to the end.
The dog jumps and has to pull the toy off its bracket while still in the air. Get it, and the arm moves further out for the next round. Miss, and the dog is out.
Raw jumping power won't do it. The dog has to read the trajectory and bite right at the top of the jump. That's why some dogs that fly in distance events struggle here.
How it works in practice
How it works
- an object hangs from an arm over the water
- the distance goes up after every successful round
- the dog has to pull the object off its bracket
- a miss means elimination from the event
- the dog still lands in water
- it uses the same dock as dock diving
Which dogs it suits
- dogs that already do dock diving
- dogs that catch well in the air
- dogs that would do anything for a toy
What you need
- air retrieve rigging at a purpose-built pool
- a toy that fits the bracket
- a towel and rest time between jumps
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Air Retrieve
Does every good jumper succeed?
Not necessarily. Some dogs jump spectacular distances and still can't take the hanging object. It calls for a different kind of coordination from a long jump.
Can it be practised without a pool?
You can work the building blocks, catching in the air and targeting, on land at low height. The jump itself only gets practised at a proper dock.
How is the air catch trained?
Start on land, holding the object at the dog's shoulder height. Raise it bit by bit, then switch to a fixed bracket. Only move to the dock once the dog takes the object cleanly, without touching it with its paws. Teach the jump and the catch separately and put them together at the end.
From the same category
Related sports
Disc Dog
The dog catches the disc, in distance events or freestyle routines.
Fetch and Retrieve
Trials where the dog finds an object and brings it to you.
Flyball
A team relay over hurdles, with a ball to fetch.
Treibball
The dog drives big balls towards a goal.
We do not run Air Retrieve
This page is informational. We work in mantrailing, search and rescue and preparation for the TSAC and BH exams - but if you want an honest opinion on what would suit your dog, write to us anytime.