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Thread: Swimming

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  1. #1

    Question Swimming

    We have a pool in our back yard. Not one of our dogs will jump into it. It would be great to have them jump and play in the water. Is there something that I could do to ease the dogs into this process, and eventually get them to swim?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Boston, MA
    Posts
    19

    Swimming with mutts

    I don't have a pool (OH I wish I did) but I tried something when staying with a friend who had one. A friend who I'm VERY jealous of. It might work for you.

    I got in the the pool and showed Blackjack the Wonder Mutt that it was a safe place. He was interested. I then took his favorite toy in with me, followed by treats, trying to show him that the pool is where all his favorite things were.

    He wanted to come in and was acting all nervous and crazy. Whining. Finally, I sat on the steps, mostly out of the pool, and he came over to me. Just like a little kid, he tried one foot in the water, then both, then all four, then finally got in and paddled around. It was 10 minutes of work but SO WORTH IT. We got to swim together!

    Good luck!

  3. #3
    My dog is utterly confused by swimming pools and refuses to go in. To them, it's a giant water bowl, and they really don't know what to do with it. But whatever you do, don't force them into the pool or carry them in, because this makes them panic. Also he/she may not know how to get out, so try showing him where the steps to the pool are and going down it individually to show him how. He might understand, but just be patient. thanks a bunch!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    California
    Posts
    11,778
    My niece taught Zoee to swim. At the time they had drained the pool and were in the process of refilling it. So they were able to get in the pool then go to the deep end and ease into the water. Now Zoee will jump in on her own. In fact, its a hassle to keep her OUT of it!!

    Taggart is still learning. What my niece does is she gets in the water and coaxes them in. Also seeing the other dogs helps. But so far Taggart is not too keen on the pool. He likes to play/bite the sprinklers in the backyard and he's recently gotten used to the kiddie pool we have. But we're still working on getting him to swim in my parents pool. We will be on vacation for over a week, so I'm sure he will be a pro swimmer by the time we get back.
    Our goal in life should be - to be as good a person as our dog thinks we are.

    Thank you for the siggy, Michelle!


    Cindy (Human) - Taz (RB Tabby) - Zoee (RB Australian Shepherd) - Paizly (Dilute Tortie) - Taggart (Aussie Mix) - Jax (Brown & White Tabby), - Zeplyn (Cattle Dog Mix)

  5. #5
    i once brought my dog to the beach.. he immediately went to the water and i think he enjoyed it.. but he never really liked taking baths.. weird right?

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Northern cyberspace
    Posts
    1,967
    Not really weird, my dogs all love water but aren't keen on baths either. I think a bath doesn't seem like a fun thing to them.

    Did you try carrying your dog in your arms and letting it float around you?

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