Splash Games Day!

General Rules

Be kind to humans and dogs at all times and act in a way that makes others feel welcome, supported, and look forward to coming back next time.

Splash Canine Swim Club reserves the right to refuse service to anyone.

Exhibitors and spectators are expected to display good behaviour and sportsmanship on and off the dock. Anyone found to be in contravention of this will not be invited back to future events as it impacts the enjoyment of all other attendees. 

This is a fun event! Organizers reserve the right to make discretionary decisions regarding the rules at any time, keeping fairness in mind.

Safety

1. No human water entry past knees. If humans decide to walk on the ramp, they do so at their own risk and understand that the ramp is designed for dogs and not equipped with handrails appropriate for humans. 

2. The only circumstance when a human is permitted to enter the water further is for a dog in distress that needs physical help. Please note this is done at your own risk and Splash Canine Swim Club is not liable for any injury to handler or dog should you choose to enter the pool.

3. No pushing, forcing, blocking, handling aggressively, etc. This is an automatic dismissal from the entire event and you will be asked to leave without a warning or refund.

4. All games will be played from the ramp.

5. Spectators without dogs are encouraged to gather around the pool to cheer on dogs, however, must stay stationary and cannot be running alongside the pool.

6. One person on the dock/ramp with each dog (except for youth competitors).

7. Youth aged 7 or older are permitted to compete with a dog as long as they appear to be safely in full control of the dog and have a parent/guardian with them at all times. The parent/guardian must be on the dock with the child. Only one person will be permitted on the ramp in this case.

Facility

Benching is from vehicles only. No indoor benching is available. If you are new to dogsports, benching is what we do with our dogs between turns. Most dogsport participants train their dogs to be crated in the vehicle, however, crates are not necessarily required in your vehicle for this event.

Please come prepared with everything your dog will need to successfully wait in the vehicle between turns.

An indoor bathroom is provided for human use.

Logistics

Parking

Please follow the event signage for where to park. Parking is on a first come, first served basis. Limited parking will be available on the south side of the building, with plenty more available on the east and north sides of the building.

Potty area

The potty area for the dogs is on the grass on the north and east sides of the building. We require participants to pick up after their dogs and dispose of waste in the provided garbage cans. Do not allow your dog to potty on anything man-made (ie. buildings, garbage cans, posts, pool).

Entry/exit

All dogs will enter and exit the building using the doors on the rear (south) side of the building. No dogs will be permitted to come through the lobby.

Briefings

A general briefing will be provided at 10:00 AM to give an overview of the event. 

A game briefing will occur before each game begins to go over rules and answer questions.

Running Orders

A running order will be available on-site on the event date.

Schedule

Besides the General Briefing and first event of the day, we reserve the right to start an event up to 30 minutes prior to the scheduled time if we are running ahead of schedule. Please plan accordingly and arrive with plenty of time.

Bitches in Season

Bitches in season are not permitted in the pool area. If a Bitch comes into season before the event, we must be notified prior to the beginning of the event by email at hello@splashcanine.ca. A credit will be applied to your account, allowing you to register for a future event.

Refund Policy

Refunds will only be provided with a doctor’s note or vet note provided. The note must be submitted to hello@splashcanine.ca no later than 7 days after the event.

In the event of a vet note being provided, it only applies to the dog noted on it and does not apply to any other dogs entered by the competitor.

Dogs

1. Dogs must be in good health, up to date on vaccinations/titers, and be free from any wound, ailment, or injury. Lame dogs will not be permitted to participate.

2. Any healthy, physically able dog 6 months old or older on the date of the event may participate. Dogs must be able to physically enter and exit the pool unassisted.

3. One dog in the building at a time.

4. Lifejackets are available and participants are welcome to bring their own. Lifejackets are not required.

5. We require a 15-foot buffer between all dogs and ask that you respect this. Please assume that all dogs need space and provide them with this. 

6. This event is not open to aggressive dogs, whether the behaviour is provoked or unprovoked. If humans or dogs could be put at undue risk if a management strategy (gates, collars, doors, crates, etc) were to fail, this event is not for them. Any act of aggression will result in immediate dismissal without warning or refund.

7. Dogs must be on a leash that is held at all times on our property except when on the dock with the gates closed.

8. One dog on the dock/in the pool at a time.

9. We will only have one dog in the pool area at a time. Dogs that are waiting their turn will wait outside of the overhead door in a designated area that affords plenty of space for all.

Equipment & Reinforcers

Leashes and collars

Flat buckle collars, limited slip collars, non-restrictive harnesses, and lifejackets with an attachment designed for a leash are permitted anywhere on the premises. Flexi-leashes and leashes longer than 6 feet long are not permitted in the pool area. Electronic collars and prong collars are not permitted anywhere on our premises.

Toys

If the game requires the competitor to provide their own toys, please ensure your toy floats, is non-consumable, is not alive and never has been, and is in good, clean condition. We will have facility toys available for use as well. 

If facility-provided toys are to be used for a game, they will be floating dog toys in good condition. Toys suitable for small dogs will only be used for small dogs to minimize risk of choking and ingestion.

Food

Food is allowed on the ramp if it floats and will not easily disintegrate if it falls in the water. Freeze-dried food usually works well! Please take all unconsumed food with you after your dog’s turn.