About the host: Since 2018, Wagging Tails Pet Resort & Spaw has hosted many fun dock diving events at our outdoor pool in Wolcott CT, and we are thrilled to announce that as of October 2023, Wagging Tails' INDOOR, heated, 40' pool and 40' dock is open at our second Connecticut facility, located in West Hartford!
Wagging Tails is a woman owned, first responder, family run business. The addition of our first dock diving pool, outdoors, to Wagging Tails Pet Resort & Spaw in Wolcott CT, was created in 2018, from an idea by Wagging Tails owner's then 9 year old daughter, Natalie - we invite you to read the article about Wagging Tails & Natalie's idea in Pets+ magazine here. Natalie is now 15 years old, and as we like to say, the future Top Dog of dock diving. She is a dock diving Youth Handler, with her Labradors, Harley, Ella, Teddy, Lily, and German Shepherd, Blaze. Natalie's mom, and Wagging Tails' owner, has been a certified dock diving judge, trainer, coach, swim instructor, and competitor, for 4 years and 1000s of jumps. Our family, and animal adoring pet care staff, welcome you and your dogs, into our home, away from home, for fun, family friendly events!
The Pooch Pool at Wagging Tails offers Swim Lessons, Try It Sessions, Pool Rentals, Dock Diving Coaching & Training, Dock Diving Leagues on Friday nights and Sundays, and NOW we're hosting our fourth, indoor, United Dock Diving competition - Wagging Tails' Leapin' Leprechauns!
Please note: You do NOT have to be a member of Wagging Tails Dock Diving League to participate. However, in order to track United Dock Diving UDD scores, earn Titles, and to receive championship invites, please visit here to assign your dog a unique United Dock Diving Jump Number. UDD numbers are FREE. Please fill out the form, and get your dog’s Jump Number before your first event.
Any team, wishing to jump, from any dock diving affiliation, is welcome here. You do not need to be a member of ANY dock diving organization. However, if you are a member of Dock Dogs, NADD, UAD, IDS - you ARE all welcome at Wagging Tails events. Our events are open to ALL. All breed, healthy dogs, ages 6 months and older, that are jumping off a dock, OR RAMP, (yes! UDD has a RAMP Rookie division!) are welcome to participate. Whether your dog jumps 1' or 31', we want you to know that you are invited to, and welcome to come to a non-intimidating, warm, family friendly environment. Pets are part of the family. And what better way than to spend time with your family indoors, by a heated pool, participating in an activity that your dog loves!
United Dock Diving competitions are unique in that there is a RAMP DIVISION. For those dogs that are not yet jumping off the dock, they can still attend these competition events and register for the Ramp Division. For $10, your dog can have time running and jumping from the ramp into the pool. This is an excellent way to give your dog more practice time, to get them familiar with the pool, to acclimate them to event settings, and for both of you to meet and observe other teams in this sport. Ramp Division is not a Finals Division. However, we are excited to say that at our event competition in December, the Santa Splash, we had 2 dogs that were registered for the Ramp Division and by the end of the event, they were jumping from the dock! All of us in attendance shared in celebrating their success!
What to expect at Wagging Tails' UDD Leapin' Leprechauns Competition:
Enjoy the day with your furry, leapin' leprechaun! Join us for a friendly, fun, competition in a non-intimidating, welcoming environment! In addition to Long Jumps, Speed Retrieve and Hang Time, lunch, snack and treats, we have some extra fun planned! For more information about each of these "Heats" of competitions, please visit here for a thorough explanation.
At this St Patrick's Spring themed event, we're planning an adorable Leapin' Leprechaun photo op, a treat of Bowser's beer for dogs, healthy Shamrock shakes for dogs, free raffle prizes, a Lucky Charms Crafty K9 activity for your dog to make and take home, AND since Easter is celebrated early this year, the Easter Bunny will be hopping in for pics with your pooch!
LUNCH IS PROVIDED BY THE HOST, FOR PARTICIPANTS, FREE OF CHARGE. You are of course, welcome to bring your own lunch, or to visit the neighbor outdoor Gastro Park food trucks. We will also offer a complimentary hot cocoa bar with all the sweet fixin's, plus, coffee, and tea will be available too. If you would like to contribute and bring a snack, dessert, or a potluck dish, you are more than welcome to. However, there is no fee for lunch on each day of the event. Each competitor will receive free swag gift with entry and FREE raffle tickets to enter for a table full of prizes and gift baskets. If you have a raffle prize to donate, we welcome your generosity! Feel free to contact us so we can add it to the list.
The Finals are held on the same day. Each dog that makes the Finals receives a special "My dog made the Finals" ribbon. Every dog that jumps off the dock here at Wagging Tails receives a "My dog jumped!" ribbon too! After the Finals are completed, Leapin' Leprechaun theme awards will be distributed to the Top 3 winners of each division in an awards ceremony with a LOVELY photo opp! Wagging Tails is proud to provide these unique, hand made, creative rosettes, or neck awards, to award your high flying team!
REGISTRATION:
If you are having any difficulty with preregistering, please contact us at info@waggingtails.com or call (860) 621-7387 (PETS)
Registration for this competition is also available on the https://www.uniteddockdiving.com website. Please visit the link above to preregister and to obtain a free UDD jump number. Once we receive your preregistration information from UDD, you will then be emailed a link with an invoice from Wagging Tails. (THAT IS THIS JOTFORM) Please complete the required information on this form and submit payment. Payment in full is required prior to attendance. We accept all major credit cards and Paypal payments. We do not accept checks.
We encourage you to preregister today, because space registration is first come, first serve. We also suggest that you register for as many Jumps, Events as you can. (No less than 2 Long Jumps). This gives you and your dog more opportunities to place and to practice. All payments are non-refundable.
The UDD online registration closes on the Wednesday, March 13th, prior to the event. HOWEVER, IF space is still available, after that date, you may still register on our website link events page directly through Wagging Tails. IF space is available, you are also welcome to register right up to and including the day of the event on our website. If you wait until Wed March 13th, or after to register, there may not be space available. We recommend you register in advance and that you call us before arriving to our facility for day of registration.
AGAIN: PAYMENT IS DUE PRIOR TO THE EVENT. PLEASE NOTE: If you register on the UDD site, and we do not receive payment by the Wednesday prior to the event, then you will forfeit your reservation. If you submit payment and are a no show, there are no refunds.
If you register for the event through the UDD site, and do not pay ahead of time, when you are sent the link to pay and the form email from Wagging Tails, then you will forfeit your space. Your no show and lack of response, is unfair to those who wish to come, but cannot, because you have taken their space. So, if you do register on the UDD site and do not respond to our email, or do not pay in advance 2 times, you will not be allowed to enter into future events. We cannot stress enough that your payment is due upon receipt of email registration from Wagging Tails.
FACILITY INFORMATION:
*Important info* Please note- because this is an INDOOR facility, there IS a ceiling. Some dogs are conditioned to jump high in outdoor facilities. As this facility is indoor and has a ceiling, if you have a jump height concern, we highly recommend you first come to rent the pool facility to see if you would like to participate in competition or league events. If your dog jumps very high and you have concerns, then rent the pool first. If your dog jumps very high and very vertical, and you have concerns, please do not sign up for events and wait until the warmer season to use the outdoor pool at Wagging Tails' Wolcott CT facility. OR be prepared to learn to throw differently for maximum indoor results, and for safety. We offer coaching and training to achieve these results. We do not offer this training during competitions or League Nights. Please contact us to schedule a pool rental or coaching/training session. Your sign up event registration form is confirmation that you have read and understand this and the following information. No refunds.
*Also note* If your dog is not yet jumping off the dock, then we suggest that you first schedule a Try It Session. Dogs that are part of the competition must be jumping off the dock. OR registered in a Ramp Division. It doesn’t matter if they jump 1’ or 31’ - all length jumpers are welcome. But in order to enter a HEAT other than Ramp Division, they do need to be jumping off the dock. Unfortunately we cannot take the time during the competition to conduct Try It sessions. So we request that you schedule those in advance. If your dog jumps and swims at a Try it session then we will definitely recommend and invite you to join the competition!
**Also be advised that Indoor Dock Diving is different than an outdoor environment. If you have been to an indoor Nationals Competition, then you are aware of the difference. If not, then this information is to aid you and your dog in having the best experience possible. In addition to the ceiling, the environment inside with barking dogs, a microphone and sound system, can create an echo. We know that the sight of the pool can excite dogs and cause them to bark. We ask that you keep your dog’s barking to as much of a minimum, as you can. If you have sound/barking concerns, we recommend that you bring a travel crate for your dog and ear plugs. As this facility is also a pet resort, if we have availability, we do offer private rooms, crates, kennels and space to comfortably confine your dog in a quieter area, in between dock time. Just ask! If you prefer to work out of your car, we understand. Please be advised that it is winter in New England!
CLICK HERE FOR POOL & FACILITY RULES
DOG'S HEALTH REQUIREMENTS:
Up to date rabies vaccinations, or veterinarian waiver, are required for any dog entering our facility. If your dog exhibits any signs of coughing, discharge or has open wounds, they will not be allowed to attend. Dogs in heat are not allowed. We also recommend that you do not feed your dog for 2 hours prior to using the pool. Please do not bring treats, or give your dog treats, during pool events or while using the pool. Bring your dog’s favorite floating toy. If you don’t have one or forget, we have several types for sale in our pet resort lobby. We provide towels, but we do recommend bringing a towel/robe for your dog to exit the facility in the colder months. We do have blow dryers available in our adjacent Spaw for you to dry off your dog. They are on a first come, first serve basis.
If you have any questions or concerns please ask.
Your dog’s safety and happiness is of the utmost importance to us. We have worked hard to provide an indoor dock diving facility to enjoy throughout the cold weather months in the Northeast. It is important to realize that any indoor dock diving experience is different than outdoor participation. All of the above information is provided so that you have full knowledge of our facility, and so that you and your dog can have the best experience and enjoy your indoor dock diving time.
EVENT TIMES:
The event times are approximate and fluctuate based on the attendance. The dock will open at 9AM for practice jumps. If time allows, we will have an open dock in between heats, for practice jumps. We recommend you visit the UDD website for event rules and a competitor handbook. Wagging Tails reserves the right to remove an event, switch events, or to consolidate events, based on attendance numbers. Competitors will be contacted with updates. We try to stay as close as we can to the schedule, but there are several factors that might affect it. (If we have more dogs than expected we might run a little tight. On the other hand, if there are less dogs than normal, we might speed things up.) So please use this schedule as a guideline, and ALWAYS check in with the event secretary, judge or host, if you are going to leave the competition area. All payments are non-refundable.
MORE INFORMATION.....we know this may seem like alot of information, but we want you to be fully informed! Please read on...
SPECTATORS are always welcome and spectator entry is FREE! If you choose to bring dogs with you that are not competing, please note that rabies vaccinations, or a veterinarian waiver are required for any dog entering our facility.
YOUTH HANDLERS
Children ages 7 to 16 years old, are encouraged and are welcome! All handlers must be registered to go up on the dock. Children under the age of 7 are not allowed on the dock, but are welcome to spectate.
CONFIRMATIONS
Please print your confirmation and bring it with you. Please note that there will be Liability Waivers to be signed on site prior to the event. All competitors must sign waivers in order to participate. All competitors will receive, and must wear, a paper event bracelet while on the dock. This verifies that you have been registered. All payments are non-refundable.
EVENT LOCATION
Here is a link to Google Maps to show you where our facility is located at Wagging Tails Pet Resort & Spaw 635 New Park Ave West Hartford CT. Plenty of parking is located around the building. Please enter through the pet resort lobby and check in at the front desk. After check in you will be shown where there is a side entry door for ease of entry with crates, supplies and dogs.
LOCAL PET FRIENDLY HOTEL INFORMATION:
Wagging Tails Pet Resort & Spaw West Hartford is located in central Connecticut. Very close to our state's capital, Hartford CT. There are MANY pet friendly accommodations around our facility. We suggest you visit Hotels.com and enter Hartford, West Hartford, East Hartford, Farmington, New Britain or Newington CT for the closest area hotels.
CANINE & HUMANE BATHROOM FACILITIES:
Adjacent to the pool area is a fenced in, outdoor, turfed, playyard for your dog’s pleasure. In the Fall and early Spring, if the outdoor temperature is warm enough, competitors are welcome to setup tents in this area. However, we will primarily work from inside. If requested, during events, the door can open to access the yard for canine potty breaks. Although the facility and pool is heated, we recommend bringing/wearing layers for when/if the overhead playyard door opens to the outdoors for potty access. For indoor canine potty accidents we provide a cleanup station with bags, towels and sanitizing solution. We ask that you pick up after your dog, anywhere your dog goes to the bathroom. For human bathrooms, we have 2 indoor and on site.
WEATHER/EVENT POLICIES/CANCELLATIONS/POSTPONEMENTS
If in the event that Mother Nature brings us a severe nor'easter, where state roads are deemed unsafe, Wagging Tails' reserves the right to postpone the events. Event times may be postponed to later in the day when roads are cleared, or the entire event may also be postponed to a different set of dates. Please note that all payments are non refundable. If the event dates are changed due to weather or illness, and you are unable to attend a future date, your payment will be placed as a credit on account for future events or pool use, at either of our 2 locations.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO THE EVENT?
Bring a healthy dog, a wagging tail, a smile and get ready to have fun! Bring your dog's up to date rabies vaccination information and your printed registration confirmation. Dogs must wear a collar and leash. Please no leashes longer than 6 ft. Prong collars and ecollars are not permitted on the dock. The indoor facility has many benches. However, we suggest you pack an extra chair or 2 just in case, they are all taken. If you want to confine your dog indoors, and dont want to use our kennels or rooms, please bring a travel crate. We recommend this in the event that all of our existing rooms are being used. Bring your dog's favorite floating toys. If you forget, we do have some for sale in our lobby. If indoor noise affects you, we suggest you bring ear plugs or ear phones. Our indoor facility has a fresh water fountain. We suggest you bring your dog's water bowl. If you forget, we do sell them in our lobby. We do provide towels. However, you may want bring your own dog towel, robe, or coat. Facility and pool is heated. Wear layers and closed toe, floor gripping shoes. You may get wet by splashes. so a change of clothes is recommended. We provide a hot beverage station with complimentary coffee, tea, and hot cocoa. If you would like to contribute food to our free lunch offering, feel free to bring something! We will have an event raffle. If you would like to donate an item to the event raffle, please contact us at 860 621-7387 (Pets) so we can include it in our raffle prize list!
AWARDS
Depending upon the event Wagging Tails awards First, Second, Third medals, ribbons, rosettes or trophies to the top 3 dogs after Finals. Wagging Tails' awards are QUITE UNIQUE and hand made! No 2 are alike! Award photos are taken at a special event theme dog podium setup. Your dog may also qualify for UDD's United Dock Diving's National Competition! Be advised that we and UDD United Dock Diving, require your dog to jump in a minimum of 2 Long Jumps to be eligible for the Finals. Dogs that are eligible for the Finals, but are not present, will be scratched from the Finals roster.
To participate in the FINALS please note: For this event, your dog MUST participate in at least TWO (2) separate Long Jump Events (4 jumps) to be considered to place in the top 5 of each division. Please be sure to register for a minimum of 2 separate Long Jump Events!
WAGGING TAILS SUNDAY FUNDAY LEAGUE MEMBERS
If you are a current Wagging Tails Dock Diving SUNDAY League Member and an event competition falls on a Sunday that a League Date was originally scheduled, then your League membership fee for that date will be a credit towards 2 events for that Sunday. To clarify - you can register for 2 events on Sunday, with no charge to you, IF the event date is the same Sunday that a League day would fall on. Please contact us to receive this credit. This applies only to the Sunday FUNday League Members.
AND FINALLY...
If, after reading all of the above information, you're not sure if your dog will jump and want to schedule a Try It Session, please contact us at (860) 621-7387 (Pets)
If, after reading all of the above information, you're not sure if your dog will jump too high and want to schedule a Pool Rental, please contact us.
The Pooch Pool at Wagging Tails is open 7 days a week, from 7am to 7pm. Try Its, Swim Lessons, Pool Rentals are all by appointment.
If, after reading all of the above you would like to attend this event, please complete the registration. Remember- payment is due at time of registration. Payments are non-refundable. Your registration and payment are confirmation that you have read, understand ALL of the above information and will follow the pool and facility rules.
We welcome you, your family and your four legged, furry family members to swim and dock dive at Wagging Tails Pet Resort & Spaw! Stay tuned for indoor dock diving event dates coming up in April, October, November and December 2024 and our OUTDOOR dock diving event dates at our Wolcott location coming up in May, June, July, August and September 2024! The United Dock Diving Year End Competition will be held on September 6-8th at our Wolcott location. If your dog qualifies, you will receive an email after a Year End Qualifying event!