For almost as long as skydiving has been a thing, man’s best friend has been a part of our sport. For many skydivers, their first interaction at the dropzone was with someone's happy fur baby! They are incredible mascots and bonfire companions and practically run the show in some spots! Yet, for all their charm, our furry friends can also pose problems on the field. Just as with jumping, there’s an etiquette that needs to be observed when Fido comes out to play, so let’s take a quick look at the CSC dos and don’ts when it comes to pets.
Topping the charts when it comes to dogs on the DZ… PICK UP THE POOP!
It’s just a fact of life. If you’ve decided it’s a dog’s life for you, you understand it means plastic bags are a “must-have” item whenever you walk out the door. Leaving “land mines” scattered around the common areas of our facilities for unsuspecting guests to step on isn’t just messy and smelly; it's unsanitary. We work hard to keep our grounds clean and comfortable for everyone, and keeping it poop free is way up on the list. That goes for our beautiful landing area as well! Not only do you not want landing jumpers sliding their shoes through a pile of recycled kibble, but you don’t want canopies, lines, and containers coming to rest on it. So please, always pick up after your pets.
There are no pups on the packing mat.
It's a great place to stretch out after a long day of running around and playing without a doubt, but unfortunately, the packing mat is a no-go for dogs. Besides the fact that we want to avoid customizing our gear with puppy fur, we can’t take the chance that you’re ever-so-excited furry friend will decide to bounce across canopies in various stages of packing, roll around in a fluffy pile of nylon, or choose to gnaw (gasp) on a tasty chew toy looking riser.
The loading area is a dog-free zone.
This one is self-explanatory. Besides the obvious fact that there are dangers around almost every corner of the loading area for a dog, like spinning propellers and taxiing aircraft, there’s the genuine chance that they will not only get underfoot and cause hazards for jumpers but potentially take the focus off the important things like gear checks and loading.
Pups shouldn’t be doing solos.
Of course, you’re going to get out and jump. That’s what you’re here for! You’ll undoubtedly be spending some time away from your dog, but they shouldn’t be left alone for extended periods. Besides the fact that they most certainly want to be part of the fun, they also have needs that should be attended to throughout the day. So if you don’t have someone on the ground who can keep an eye on them while you’re on a load, you’ll need to ensure that you’ve budgeted a solid amount of time to help keep them as happy as you when you’re on the ground.
So that’s the scoop! We at CSC love dogs just as much as you do and love that they can be a part of the skydiving experience. Following these tips and the common sense etiquette with having a dog while on the field will help ensure we can continue enjoying their companionship throughout the season!
