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Subject: Pup...swimming lesson

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Cornbread

SH
Posts:50

05/23/2009 8:04 PM
Have a 12 week old. We were at the lake this weekend and last. He's shy about the water. I've tried getting in up to my knees and encouraging. temped him with a toy. will temps with a treat tomorrow. what techniques worked for you?

Texas Belle User is Offline

Austin, TX

MH
Posts:7851

05/23/2009 11:29 PM
I let me adult dogs who love the water help with training the youngster. It is amazing what a little competition will do for encouragement. Of course, none of mine have ever had a problem with the water or swimming.

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

TessaGA

Georgia

MH
Posts:2387

05/24/2009 1:56 PM
Try exercising your pup for a while first until he gets hot (not overheated though!), so that the cooler water feels good. Overall advice, be sure to take it slow. Start with wading through shallow water, shoreline, puddles with the pup, then gradually introduce it to deeper water. Get the dog really excited about a toy on the shore, then toss it into the water, but very close to the dog at first (one or two steps), then gradually increasing the distance. I would say, with increasing air and water temperature and age your dog will swim before long.

To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]

pixie bee

MH
Posts:4452

05/25/2009 6:32 PM
Can you carry him out and then put him in the water but still support him by gently placing your hand under him and hold holding his collar and let him swim?I would not use any verbal encouragment, I find our voices can distract more then they do anything else.Would this cause panic? What about having him run thru brooks and streams or run-offs from a pond? basically, large puddles? Francine

"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle

Kerplunk105 User is Offline

Bucks County, PA

MH
Posts:713

05/25/2009 7:27 PM
Leena hated water until about 2 months ago lol Even with my Labrador who loves water. She still wont go in puddles. She loves swimming in lakes and rivers at this point.

Elizabeth Leena RIP 11/08-9/17/09 Bliss, the Labrador Tegan, the Weim/Labrador

auwallace

Mobile, AL

MH
Posts:235

05/26/2009 6:48 AM
baby steps worked with Lola. just a little bit at a time keeping it really fun. however she didn't start swimming like crazy until she thought lilly was going to beat her out to the bumper. so what worked for me was small steps to introduce and then a little competition.

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