JLKShorthairs
Westport,wa
MH
Posts:143
 |
| 11/23/2009 12:26 AM |
|
Ok so Abby HATES water big time. She wont even walk through a one inch puddle unless she has too which she is having too right now. Has anyone had a pup that hated puddles or water in general learn to enjoy or love it later on? I was hoping to maybe do dock dogs and duck hunting with her but right now not so sure. She will not walk through it unless she has to and she will try and go around it at all costs.
Jana |
|
|
|
|
bravepoint
North Gower, ON Canada
MH
Posts:889
|
| 11/23/2009 4:54 AM |
|
My dogs will avoid/jump puddles but love to swim. Have you actually introduced her to "real" water that is deep enough for swimming?
Gail |
|
Gail, Moka, Avery, Terra & Rayne
Bravepoint GSPs
|
|
|
Splat
Illinois (Northern)
MH
Posts:2438
|
| 11/23/2009 6:18 AM |
|
When I first brought my pup home he didn't like the puddles and he doesn't like the bath tub either. However we put him in the pool and he likes the swimming...he was little when the pool was open so he wouldn't jump in we had to put him in....He now jumps off the couch and other stuff so we think he will jump in now and can't wait to see in the summer cuz we would like to do dock jumping too!
He also runs through puddles now too! |
|
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=2553
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=2554 |
|
|
TessaGA
Georgia
MH
Posts:2378
|
| 11/23/2009 6:32 AM |
|
Tessa skips around puddles most of the time, keeps shaking off the rain (unless she's in a field) and does not like baths. However, she LOVES to swim, jump into lakes and splash, and always has.
Be sure to introduce Abby to deep waters properly. Don't rush things. Winter is probably not the right time - you want the water to be warm, and the dog to be warm from exercise wanting to cool off in the water. Then you can get the dog excited about a toy or dummy and toss it into the shallow end so she needs to wade in to get it, gradually increasing so eventually she will need to swim. I have watched quite a few bird dogs during training being patiently coaxed into the ponds to swim, and it always worked in the end. |
|
To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]
 |
|
|
pixie bee
MH
Posts:3914
|
| 11/23/2009 6:33 AM |
|
| I agree with the others. Introduce warm swimming water and see what happens.We had 2 GSPs,way back when, and they never swam. One day it was hot and we needed them to swim to cool off. They both refused. My husband picked one up at a time and threw them in the pond and they loved water after that. One dog was 4 and other was 2 years old. I remember it like it was yesterday,such great memories. |
|
"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
|
|
|
Polarbear
Coon Rapids, MN
MH
Posts:131
|
| 11/23/2009 7:45 AM |
|
| Nova hated water when she was a pup. She was over a year when she finally learned that water is fun. We used lots of encouragement, her favorite ball (she is NUTS for fetch) and lots of mom and dad getting wet too. She still hates going out in the rain and refused to do anything besides shiver at the door unless we are out there with her. She has us trained well. |
|
|
|
|
dieterthegsp
Cape Breton, NS, Canada
MH
Posts:559
|
| 11/23/2009 7:51 AM |
|
| yes...dieter would not go near water...he still wont walk through puddles or go out in the rain...but he got over that and now he loves to swim. i dont think its anything to worry about |
|
Properly trained, a man can be dog's best friend.
Videos
|
|
|
Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:6744
|
|
carlower1
Kansas
MH
Posts:1253
|
| 11/23/2009 10:58 AM |
|
She is not a GSP, but Macey my oldest Shih-tzu HATES puddles, rain, tolerates baths etc... BUT..... when it is hot outside she is usually the first one to hop into the kiddy swimming pool I have.
Wachter on the other hand loves anything wet, slimy or stinky.
Carrie |
|
|
|
|
JLKShorthairs
Westport,wa
MH
Posts:143
|
| 11/23/2009 1:02 PM |
|
Ok thanks everyone we havent introduced her to deep water swimming water yet as its too cold out we are only in the 40s outside temps and down in the 30s at night. She will be introduced up at the lake this summer when its warm out but the water around here really never gets above about 50 degrees. I was going to get her warmed up by playing then take either a bumper or her bird (with a line on it) and ger her all worked up wanting it and then throw it out into the water so she can go get it and want to. I am thinking this is going to be out of the question till spring though as its just too cold right now. I know when we have been having these storms she will shiver if shes out in the rain and wind of course cant blame her I am shivering with heavy clothes on with these storms.
Thanks everyone guess I can keep hoping she will love the water just only had one dog ever in my life that wouldnt go through puddles and he hated any water his whole life never would swim.
Jana |
|
|
|
|
TessaGA
Georgia
MH
Posts:2378
|
| 11/23/2009 1:37 PM |
|
I am pretty sure she will love the water just fine. I have yet to come across a GSP or bird dog that didn't swim...I've seen a few hesitant ones but as said before, with a little outsmarting they can be made to love the water too  |
|
To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]
|
|
|
pixie bee
MH
Posts:3914
|
| 11/23/2009 2:02 PM |
|
Oh gosh,
I have run into many that won't/can't swim. And many are unable to lift their rear level.
|
|
"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
|
|
|
bravepoint
North Gower, ON Canada
MH
Posts:889
|
| 11/23/2009 2:50 PM |
|
Getting her to follow another dog who is an avid swimmer will also help entice your puppy in. Terra got several of her "kids" in this way chasing after her to swim out for a bumper! Once they get used to swimming the water temperature won't matter but wait for a hot day with warmer water for the initiation. My dogs will break thru ice in temps below freezing to wade thru the big ditch on the side of our hiking route.
Gail |
|
Gail, Moka, Avery, Terra & Rayne
Bravepoint GSPs
|
|
|
Marie
Wisconsin
MH
Posts:2662
|
| 11/23/2009 3:24 PM |
|
 Agree with others tips on how introduce to water. Here is a good example of a GSP high value water retrieve toy to get your pup to go in for the first time( shallow water)
|
|
Marie and Rocky, a tall, high energy GSP
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab18/Annette_Merryfield/100_0285.jpg?t=1287205231 |
|
|
Marie
Wisconsin
MH
Posts:2662
|
| 11/23/2009 3:25 PM |
|
| PS: This dummy is puppy size(: |
|
Marie and Rocky, a tall, high energy GSP
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab18/Annette_Merryfield/100_0285.jpg?t=1287205231 |
|
|
Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:6744
|
| 11/23/2009 3:55 PM |
|
| Just don't throw the dummy too far the first time. Keep it within reach and in shallow water. Work her up to swimming to get it. Otherwise, you might have to swim to go get it. LOL. Once she is introduced to water and loving it you shouldn't have any problem with her going into water even if it is cold outside. Mine have been known to head for the lake even when it is snowing and we are in the mountains. Of course, you have to watch it when it is cold so they don't get chilled or hypothermia. Just take it slow and if you can go somewhere where there are no or small waves. |
|
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 |
|
|
Marie
Wisconsin
MH
Posts:2662
|
| 11/23/2009 7:28 PM |
|
 Lucy 6 month old lab puppy first introduction to water in our backyard in Rocky's pool
|
|
Marie and Rocky, a tall, high energy GSP
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab18/Annette_Merryfield/100_0285.jpg?t=1287205231 |
|
|
Marie
Wisconsin
MH
Posts:2662
|
| 11/23/2009 7:33 PM |
|
 Lucy lab pups second introduction to water in low water just getting her paws wet observing Rocky retrieving tennisballs in a small no wake fishing lake
|
|
Marie and Rocky, a tall, high energy GSP
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab18/Annette_Merryfield/100_0285.jpg?t=1287205231 |
|
|
Marie
Wisconsin
MH
Posts:2662
|
| 11/23/2009 7:38 PM |
|
 After some time, Lucy pup couldnot stand it any more and had to try her first swim following Rocky boy. See how she is not leveled off yet and lots of puppy slashys
|
|
Marie and Rocky, a tall, high energy GSP
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab18/Annette_Merryfield/100_0285.jpg?t=1287205231 |
|
|
Marie
Wisconsin
MH
Posts:2662
|
| 11/23/2009 7:43 PM |
|
 Deeper out in the water Lucy Lab keeps following the older more experience dog. Didnot care about the tennis ball just more learning to swim and following the more experienced swimming dog and having puppy fun.
|
|
Marie and Rocky, a tall, high energy GSP
http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab18/Annette_Merryfield/100_0285.jpg?t=1287205231 |
|
|