Preregistration for Dog Swap II to benefit Chase Away K9 Cancer at the Buckeye DockDogs Competition in Columbus Ohio is now open!

100% of the money raised will go to the ACVIM Foundation in the name of Chase Away K9 Cancer.

The Dog Swap competition is part of the Columbus Pet Expo being held March 27-29 and will take place immediately following EV on Saturday, March 28th. The anticipated start time of the Dog Swap will be about 6:00 PM.

Jump for Gump

This year’s Dog Swap is dedicated to Forrest Gumpy, who passed on February 22 after a long battle with cancer. A Jack Russell terrier whose motto was "I dive to survive,” Gumpy was owned by Ontario club member Sarah-Simone McDougall. Let's reach deep into our pockets to help Sarah with her fight against K9 Cancer.

What’s a Dog Swap?
If you are unfamiliar with a Dog Swap, it’s basically as it sounds… you swap dogs by random drawing with someone else and jump their dog while someone else (not necessarily the same person that you have drawn) jumps your dog in a special Big Air round of competition.

Our last Dog Swap was a blast! It was fun to see handlers that normally jump bigger dogs jumping lap dogs and visa versa. It’s also interesting to find out if someone else can top your own personal best! It can be educational, exciting, and hysterical! It’s also great way to get to know others and it’s all for a great cause!

How to register
Everything you need to know should be here, so please read carefully. You may preregister by e-mailing Jim Zelasko. You are welcome to e-mail Jim if something isn’t clear.

Please type “Dog Swap” in the subject line and include in your message:
Your name
Your dog’s name
Your dog’s breed
Your dog’s color
Your dog’s age
Your dog’s current Big Air Title or “none”
Your dog’s personal Big Air best or “has never jumped in competition” (we are requesting that you be courteous to others by not submitting a dog that you know will not jump)

Jim will reply within 24 hours with a confirmation and your registration order number. Your order number determines your place in line for the drawing of dogs. First come, first serve. Preregistration is suggested and appreciated. We will also take registrations on site at the event provided that the maximum 40 dog limit is not fulfilled but only up until that point.

Rules
1. $10 Donation per dog. Will be collected on site at the event and must be paid prior to the drawing of names (detailed below). Payment can be made at anytime at the event prior to the drawing. Cash or Personal check accepted. Sorry, no credit cards.

2. Only DockDogs Members may participate. You must have either a National membership or a membership from any affiliated DockDogs club. It does not have to be a Buckeye DockDogs membership. Proof of current membership will be required before you are permitted to jump. You may join Buckeye DockDogs on site prior to the Dog Swap if you are not a member and wish to participate. This is not a membership drive. Participant membership is required for safety concerns. Dog Swap management and Buckeye DockDogs reserves the right to make exceptions as deemed appropriate and also reserves the right to refuse, decline, or withdraw participants and/or dogs at their discretion.

3. You must sign the standard Dock Waiver prior to the Dog Swap. If you have already competed in an event, this will have already been done. If you have not checked in yet at the registration desk, you will need to do so and sign the waiver prior to the Dog Swap.

4. Registering for the Dog Swap does not entitle you to any open dock practices. You must be registered in an actual competition Wave to utilize the dock for practice. There is no practice for the Dog Swap.

5. Participating dogs and their owner’s names will be written down on a piece of paper and put it in a hat/box or whatever is accommodating. Prearranged swaps are not permitted. Part of the fun is drawing the unknown and giving everyone an equal opportunity to draw any dog randomly.

6. Participants will draw names the day of the Dog Swap. Names will be drawn at least 15 to 20 minutes prior to the competition but may be drawn even earlier to allow more time for Handler/Dog preparation. The drawing order is determined by when you registered. First come, first serve. If you draw your own dogs name, put it back and redraw until you have drawn any dog other than your own.

7. You will be permitted 10 to 15 minutes for discussion with the handler that has drawn your dog and the handler for the dog you will be jumping so that any special information, instructions and/or suggestions can be conveyed. Please be sure to point out any safety concerns to the swapped handler! (Example, aggression, nipping, tripping, running away, etc.) Also please make arrangements to retrieve your own dogs back after all parties involving you and your dog have made their jumps. A spouse or family member may be able to help with this.

Any concerns about the handler jumping your dog should be brought to the attention of those managing the Dog Swap. Showing good cause, management will work to make alternate arrangements agreeable to all parties involved. If a resolution can not be agreed upon, it may be necessary to request that the concerned owner and their dog withdraw from the Dog Swap. Management will then attempt to find an alternate solution for any other effected parties still wishing to participate.

8. Participants are expected to treat their temporary team mate (dog) better than their own. Any signs of neglect or abuse (physical or verbal) observed in any way will not be tolerated! You will be disqualified and asked to leave the DockDogs area for the remainder of the entire event. If the temporary handler observes any injury or unusual behavior that their temporary dog may have, please consult the dog’s owner and management prior to jumping. This includes, but is not limited to, signs of a pulled muscle, dead/cold tail, fear, laceration, recent surgery, etc. Failure to do so will be considered a form of neglect. Protecting all dogs is a top priority!

9. When announced, if you haven’t already, retrieve the dog that you are jumping and meet at the back of the dock. The Wrangler will work to put the dogs in an order that will allow dog owners to watch their dogs jump with the swapped handler.

10. All DockDogs rules for conduct, age, competition, and dock protocol are in effect. Dogs will jump and be scored according to regular Big Air Wave rules. Each team will get two (2) jumps. The better of the two will be used as your final score and to declare our winner!

By choosing to participate in the Dog Swap, you agree to these rules and any modifications made prior to the event that may be applied by the Dog Swap management or Buckeye DockDogs.

You may withdraw your registration at any time and your donation will be refunded to you if you choose.

Questions, comments, concerns, and clarifications may be directed to the Dog Swap management. The Dog Swap managers for this event are Jim Zelasko & Jennifer Zelasko. Buckeye DockDogs Officers and Board Members will act as arbitrators if necessary.

Titles are irrelevant. Furthest jump wins!

Remember…this is all for fun! The real winner is Chase Away K9 Cancer

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