From dock diving to obedience, canine hydrotherapy to rehabilitation work, The Gated Dock offers a wide breadth of services for canine enthusiasts of northern Ohio and beyond. Marie Buckingham launched her Shelby, Ohio, outdoor facility in 2015, after realizing trips to Pennsylvania to train were not sustainable for the long-term. What started as a 32’ pool with a 24’ dock quickly expanded into the purchase of an additional 40’ regulation size pool as friends and family came to train, play and swim with their four-legged friends. Flash forward to 2024, and The Gated Dock now has a second indoor facility in Galion, Ohio, that hosts competitions, seminars and training sessions year-round.
Marie entered the world of dock diving in 2012 with her then-puppy, Ace, after seeing DockDogs® perform at a nearby festival. Two years later, Ace was named the 2014 DockDogs Rookie of the Year, and the dream of building their own training facility was born. “I knew we had the ability to help dogs and their people learn about and excel in the sport,” Marie said. “I was already involved with the American Kennel Club as a Canine Good Citizen, Trick Dog, Farm Dog and Temperament Test evaluator. Continuing with AKC seemed to be the direction I was heading in, so I applied to be a North American Diving Dogs facility.”
For Marie, creating facilities that are inclusive to all disciplines of canine sports has always been her vision. “I have invoked The Gated Dock staff and my volunteers to treat all of our competitors and visitors as family,” Marie said. “We welcome new folks with open arms and try to make their visits special and memorable. Our tagline is ‘Where Friends Become Framily’. Friends + Family = Framily.” She has coined her facilities as “non-dedockinational,” ensuring that all members of the canine world know they are welcome.
Now that The Gated Dock is home to both an indoor and outdoor venue, its list of contributions to the canine community has grown exponentially. “I have been able to expand our services to include AKC Fast Cat, NADD events at both locations and a disc league,” Marie said. “At the Galion, Ohio, indoor facility, we offer dock diving lessons as well as obedience, rally and barn hunt practices year-round. I am also certified as a canine hydrotherapist and offer rehab services to dogs recovering from surgery, injury or obesity, as well as geriatric dogs that just need to maintain their mobility.”
With plans to add more dog fun all under one roof with further property development, Marie looks to continue the growth of The Gated Dock in the near future. Whether you’re new to the sport of dock diving or a seasoned veteran looking to try a new discipline, The Gated Dock’s offerings are endless. “I don't care where you're from, who your home dock is, or even if you jump in a lake for fun,” Marie said. “Everyone is welcome and treated with respect and kindness.”
