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Subject: Milo can't swim he sinks...ugh

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MiloMan

Posts:1

06/24/2010 1:59 PM
Okay I have a 6 month old GSP and he's beautifully behaved for the most part...we're having the typical "puppy stupids"...anyhow... I'm trying to get him in the water, he won't hunt but I'd love to be able to enrich his life and exercise. Problem is, he's not getting the swim? His back half is sinking and he's not learning how to float it! Any suggestions or experience with other pups that couldn't catch on and did or didnt'? Thanks

Texas Belle User is Offline

Austin, TX

MH
Posts:7835

06/24/2010 3:22 PM
While he is learning either get him a life vest or hold his butt up so it doesn't sink.

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

riley90

SH
Posts:50

06/25/2010 10:49 AM
This happened to my puppy too. He jumped in the water after me at the lake and then he panicked and started to sink, so i guided him holding his butt and he started to swimm. Then he was scared of the water for a little but now hes 2 years old and jumps in all by himself and swims like a pro. Its in the GSP's to swim. They were made for that kinda stuff. He is a hunting machine and if he needs to get a duck hes gunna jump in. I think if you guide him and give him some time he will be a great swimmer! good luck chris

MOOSE1

Fruitport, MI

MH
Posts:1789

07/05/2010 11:20 AM
The dog life jacket does WONDERS for a dog who is timid of swimming or that hind end sinks. Use it a dozen or so different times out and he will be able to swim with out it. The other thing we did with one of ours was hold her butt up a bit to help her get the feel of where it was suppose to be. Just a handfull of times doing that and she was off to the races. :0)

Rajah-APBT- USUV UMJCH Flying High Rajah-TDI Certified Phoenix-GSP- USJCH UWP GRCH BNJ Shooters Rising Phoenix-CGC Tested Cody- GSP- AKC/CKC CH UKC UWP GRCH Legacyk n Estate Sunray Minor FDJ CGC Tested Tucson-UJJ CH Legacyk FlwrCrk The Old Peublo Rumor-UMJ URO1 GRCH BNJ Rumor Has It-RN RD CGC NA II www.ezydog.com

Jrsdar

Etters, PA

JH
Posts:28

07/23/2010 3:48 PM
We have the same problem with ours, he's 13 mo. old, loves the water, he never wants to get out. He will swim "correctly" when he goes after a bumper or stick but on the way back he is almost vertical, like he is trying to walk upright, its funny to watch. It sounds like I'm not the only one here having to deal with this. I quess I'll be going in with him for some lessons. Its a good thing I don't hunt Pheasants over water. Ha

WildRose

Seymour Texas

MH
Posts:471

09/02/2010 4:12 PM
The simple solution is to use a dummy that he will go after. Tie a long light cord to it, and drag it just a bit faster than he can swim. As he stretches to try and grab it, his back end will come up. Repeat until he gets it.

There's a reason I like dogs better'n people... .

RCNZ

New Zealand

JH
Posts:26

10/11/2010 11:20 PM
My 2 most recent dogs have done the same thing. With my weim I went swimming with her and pushed her butt up until she got the idea. She swims like an otter now. With my GSP I put a neoprene jacket on him. It's not enough flotation that he can rely on it alone to keep his butt up but it makes it easier and he got the idea. That and I couldn't bear to put a life jacket on my hunting dog. The dogs also appreciate them on those cold early morning duck hunts. I got mine from cabelas.

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