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Subject: Mossy is doing her NA test in June...but water work is a concern!

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MossyGirl

Posts:10

01/29/2013 9:01 AM
My 9 1/2 month old pup, Mossy, will be doing her NAVHDA natural ability test in June. She jumped in a creek once when she was about 3 or 4 months old and swam a few feet back to shore when the bottom dropped out, but hasn't offered to swim since. She will get in and wade and splash about and loved her kiddy pool last summer, but hasn't actually swam. I was told not to worry about it, she would eventually swim, but with this test coming up and us being in North Dakota (everything is frozen over and COLD) I am starting to worry about it. So...I do have a neighbor that has a small indoor pool and he absolutely loves Mossy...maybe I should ask if she could come swimming? LOL, I'm pretty sure he would allow it and I don't think it would be detrimental to the pool. Also, dock dogs does an indoor competition here in February...should I just pay the entry fee and see if this could be good practice? I know she will go strong for the rest of the NA test...just worried about water?

RyanGSP

MH
Posts:430

01/29/2013 1:25 PM
I was worried about water as well with my GSP but here is what I did. Biggest thing is wait for the ponds and lakes to thaw and warm up, your GSP wont enjoy swimming in ice cold water. Then get a good water dog or 2 and head out to the lake. The younger dog will see the other dogs in the water and wont want to be left behind. Id even put on a pair of hip or chest waders and get in yourself, though the water should be warm enough for you to put on your swim suit and jump in. This will really make the puppy want to get in. If your dog has a strong retrieving instinct you can start with a few short throws into the water then slowly make them farther and farther. Pools are not going to be a good idea because there is no shallow end, they are generally just a steep drop. By the sounds of it he has no fear of actual water she is just unsure when she looses her footing. Exposure will be the biggest thing. I dont think you will have a problem time wise before your NA test. Just wait for everything to thaw and warm up then head out to the lakes.

Texas Belle User is Offline

Austin, TX

MH
Posts:7844

01/29/2013 1:32 PM
I agree with RyanGSP. Also, pools are clear and that is also an issue with some dogs. You see it when training dock dogs. People say they just off the dock into the lake all the time, then when they go to jump at a pool the dog won't have anything to do with it. Just the difference in clear water and lake or pond water. If you do what Ryan says, I am betting you won't have any issues.

Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna) Yellow Rose GSPs "A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato

MOOSE1

Fruitport, MI

MH
Posts:1789

01/30/2013 8:42 AM
With your test being in June I would think you would have time to get her in the water. If you are sure on the rest of the stuff focus on that when things start thawing out. We have been dock jumping with our dogs for 8 years now. The problem with pools and most dogs is that the water is clear, the bottom is blue and so it doesn't look like there is anything they are jumping into. Until they understand the game and that there is water there it can freak them out a bit. I would not enter her in a dock jumping competition especially one indoors unless she has a lot of experience with dock jumping. Indoor competitions are even more difficult and scary for new dogs and dogs who are not big fans of cold water. Good luck and have fun!

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NixiesMark User is Offline

Texas

MH
Posts:120

02/01/2013 3:59 PM
I totally agree with all of them above! This is how Nixie came to love the water when I was concerned she wouldn't: She first had another pup going into the "deep end" of the river so she had to buck up and get courage. After that and on another occasion I was swimming in a pool and she just had to be in there with me. Granted she was still learning how to swim so she was all over me and I had to keep her out of it because she would've caused serious damage to me! She'll get there! Hopefully you'll get some warm water to learn in!

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