Re: getting a dog used to water
- From: "MauiJNP" <jmh1116@xxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 4 Aug 2005 23:34:37 -0400
"Kathleen" <khhfmdelete@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:nEpIe.3605$_41.1930@xxxxxxxxxxx
> MauiJNP wrote:
>> What's the best way to get a dog to enjoy going in small creeks to fetch
>> toys? I have been working on the slow approach, just getting the toy
>> closer and closer to the edge and then in the water a bit. Maui will get
>> it but not if too much of him has to go in the water (basically toes
>> only). Also, he will go in a little with me not even there (when Riley,
>> my sisters dog takes him down to the water....yes they go alone because
>> they roam free when outside and the property is huge). Then, in our
>> swimming pool (which is above ground and 34 feet in diameter) he has no
>> problem having me hold him with all but his ears and face in the water.
>> He doesn't even try to swim for the most part because he knows he is safe
>> in my arms (we just float around and he's calm the whole time). A few
>> times though, he got too close to the pool edge and fell in. Whenever he
>> does this, he swims back to the ladder or to me and I get him out again
>> or hold him for awhile and put him out to dry off. Since he does this, I
>> know he can swim. So, how do I get him to go in the creek farther than
>> two inches and fetch a toy or at least walk beside me? We have a creek
>> on our property so I want him to be able to feel very comfortable with it
>> (not just ok with it). Thanks for any advice!
>
> Get in yourself. When our BC, Scully, was a puppy she learned to enjoy
> swimming by following the kids into the creek. There was no pressure or
> coersion. They all played in the shallows for a while, then the kids went
> in up to their necks. Scully whined, paced, then swam out to the kids.
> We have to keep an eye on her because as long as somebody's in the water,
> she stays with them, swimming circles around them or sort of treading
> water, and she'll do it until she's exhausted.
>
> When we got Zane, our male BC, he swam because Scully did. They also
> learned to enjoy clambering up onto floating foam rubber mats for a rest.
> I was impressed. *I* can hardly climb onto one of those mats from deep
> water without a bunch of flailing and splashing, and sometimes tipping
> over. They just climb right up onto them, with no help from anybody.
>
> And when we added a JRT to the household, Cooper followed the BCs into the
> water. He's actually got the funniest swimming strategy. He'll try to
> race the BCs out to a thrown tennis ball, but can't keep up after the
> first few yards. He keeps going, though, until Zane grabs the ball. As
> the big dog starts to head back to shore, Cooper also turns and heads
> landward, paddling slowly and glancing over his shoulder frequently like a
> surfer angling for the perfect wave. As Zane begins to pass him, he gives
> a surge of effort and sort of tucks in alongside Zane's flank so he can
> draft in Zane's wake. When he's getting tired, he'll turn his head and
> hook his chin over Zane's back so that he gets a short tow. He looks like
> a tugboat steering a freighter to dock. Or like some sort of pilot fish
> escorting an orca.
>
> Kathleen
>
wow, that sounds like fun! I can't wait for Maui to get a doggie sibling
(in a year or so). He loves playing with other dogs! Plus, it will be
great to see some fun interactions like you describe above.
.
- References:
- getting a dog used to water
- From: MauiJNP
- Re: getting a dog used to water
- From: Kathleen
- getting a dog used to water
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