Today we’d like to introduce you to Joy Harbaugh.
Hi Joy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
About 3 years ago I met a lady at a local agility trial. We hit it off right away with our love of dogs and the different sports out there. Heidi then introduced me to the world of UpDog and playing frisbee, dock diving and other sports.
In our many discussions we wanted to create “A playground for dogs”
In 2022, my husband, Bryan, then wanted to have a building that we could practice in the whole year. We then had our 80×164 Fabric building installed. It’s open span building so in the winter months people rent this space with either monetary donations and/or donation of food, toys, or blankets, that is donated to local shelters. They either play ball or toss a frisbee with their pups. Others have reserved the building for their pups birthday party as well.
I purchased used agility equipment from a CPE nationals event and the word got out that this was available to practice on to area agility folks. I then put feelers out for an agility trainer and that just exploded. I now have 3 of the most fabulous trainers I could ask for.
We then installed a Lure Chasing run for practice as well and offered once a week “Fun Runs” . We had long lines of people waiting so there dogs could run as fast as they wanted and “be a dog”
Around that same time we started hosting UpDog frisbee events. I had never heard of UpDog and what it consisted of. Heidi use to live in Florida and was in on the very beginnings and development of this unknown dog sport. The more I learned and played it, it was really fun especially when you have a frisbee obsessed Aussie.
At that time Updog was not popular at all in this area so it took some time to build that sport but it has taken up so much popularity we have to limit the entries we receive!
Then the subject of dock diving came up. Heidi and I loaded up 5 dogs and went to a local dock diving facility to “give it a try” not knowing if they would like it at all. It was a big hit with them and us.
We installed our own dock diving pool in 2023 and although we are limited on our pool season with Ohio weather people take advantage of it right away. People can either come and practice for competition or they can just come and let them swim and have fun. We also have 3 very qualified trainers that offer lessons throughout the week for those wanting to learn more.
We have since purchased a regulation size mobile dock diving set up. This allows us to travel offering dock diving lessons and events. We have traveled as far as Nebraska for the ASCA Nationals and to Ocala Fl for IDS dock diving event. This year along with some local events we will be traveling to Nevada in September again for the ASCA Nationals
In 2024 we talked about utilizing the land to the back of building. We hired an excavator to build that area up because it had tendency to hold water. We installed drain pipe, filled in a small pond and built that area up which now houses our Lure Chasing Run, Updog field, our Toss & Fetch field and the dock diving pool.
It has literally turned into a Playground and the dogs and owners love it!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Well, there’s always “that one”. We had contacted all close neighbors about what was happening here. Most were all for it because they loved watching the dogs have fun. One was a bit disappointed that we moved it all to the back because they would sit on their front porch and watch.
“That one” has called the sheriff’s dept a couple of times, wasting their time and ours to complain of of having to look at the building and a barking dog. Ugh! We just keep on keeping on!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I myself am not a dog trainer. I train my own dogs with the help of many friends but Dawg Gone It! has become an amazing reality for Heidi and I.
We have a great group of people that come here on a regular basis and I pride myself as a “no drama” zone. My motto is if you’re not here to have fun with your dog then please don’t come back. Everyone has a bit of competitiveness in them but it will not come out here. We encourage and support everyone, whether you are a seasoned player or true beginner, you will leave here feeling good about your accomplishment to have fun with your dog.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
The biggest risk I took was 28 years ago when my husband approached me with his vision of starting his own business as a mechanical contractor. That required us to max out our credit cards, buy a new truck and trailer and cross our fingers.
Times were definately tough then but when he came home one day and I was crying at the kitchen table because we couldn’t afford to give our kids $5 each to go roller skating he swore to me that we will never want for anything again.
And boy, did he stand behind that statement. Hence, Dawg Gone It!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dawgoneit.fun
- Instagram: Dawg Gone It! (@dawggoneitfacility)
- Facebook: Dawg Gone It
