Is it different from dock diving?
Yes. In dock diving, distance is what counts. Here precision counts: you have to snatch a fixed object out of the air at exactly the right moment.
Discs, balls and retrieving
Air Retrieve
The technical version of dock diving: the object hangs in the air above the water, at a distance that grows each round. The dog has to snatch it in flight, not fish it out of the water.
About the discipline
What Air Retrieve is
Air retrieve takes place on the same dock as dock diving, with one extra element: a toy fixed on an arm, suspended above the water.
The dog jumps and must pull it from the bracket in flight. If it succeeds, the arm moves further out for the next round; if it misses, it is eliminated.
It demands more than jumping power: the dog has to judge the trajectory and time the grab to the highest point of its leap. Not every dog that excels at distance succeeds at air retrieve.
How it works in practice
How it works
- an object suspended on an arm above the water
- the distance increases after each successful round
- the dog must pull the object from its bracket
- a miss means elimination from the event
- the landing is still in water
- it runs from the same dock as dock diving
Which dogs it suits
- dogs with dock diving experience
- dogs that catch well in the air
- dogs with very high toy drive
What you need
- air retrieve rigging, at a set-up pool
- a toy compatible with the bracket
- a towel and recovery time
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Air Retrieve
Does every good jumper succeed?
Not necessarily. Some dogs jump spectacular distances but cannot take the suspended object, because that is a different coordination skill.
Can it be practised without a pool?
The components - catching in the air, targeting - can be worked on land at low height. The jump itself is only practised at a proper dock.
How is the air catch trained?
On land first, with the object held in your hand at the dog's shoulder height. Raise it gradually, then move to a fixed bracket. Only when the dog takes the object cleanly, without touching it with its paws, does the exercise move to the dock. The jump and the catch are learned separately, then combined.
From the same category
Related sports
Disc Dog
Catching the disc, in distance events or freestyle routines.
Fetch and Retrieve
Retrieving trials for finding and delivering objects.
Flyball
A team relay with hurdles and retrieving a ball.
Treibball
The dog drives large 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.