Dog acts wierdly around pool.

[LiquidOC]

I have a small dog, approximately 14 lbs, he is a pomeranian bishon, and I have a wierd (to me) problem. We have a large in-ground swimming pool out back, and any time that you approach the side of the pool to get in, he is up your butt, and while you're in the pool he will chase you around the pool (he will never get in.). If you put your hand on the side of the pool without holding it out in front of his face first, he will nip at it, and sometimes bite it. If you try to use the diving board, or stand at the side of the pool and act like you're going to jump in, he will growl and bite at you. I have started to get him to stay approximately 7-8 feet away while we use the diving board, and am somewhat successful in doing this, he does listen fairly well, but he is still very aggressive, and I was wondering if anyone had some suggestions on how to maybe get him used to it, or something. He is 4 years old, and this has been progressively getting worse ever since he was first introduced. It is also worse with some members of the family. Any help or insight would be appreciated! BTW, we did talk to the vet about it, and the only thing he said was that we could hire someone to come over and solve the problem. I figure I should be able to take care of this myself, and would rather not spend the money ($500) to get someone to "adapt" my dog to the pool. Thanks again!

[Karen]

How odd. Can you enlist another family member to help in this? Have him on a leash, and right next to you. Let the other person enter the pool. Then you approach the pool, but as soon as he shows any aggression or snappiness, tug on the leash and tell him sit. This just makes him focus on you. Keep at it, and whenever he shows any reaction - refocus on you. Stay calm, don't yell, walk to the pool, around it, and away. Do this every day, and he'll get the idea that pool safety is NOT his responsibility, you are in charge there.

He's obviously thinking he's the pool boss - doesn't understand why you guys'd go in there voluntarily, probably!

Try that, see how it goes.

[Giselle]

Doesn't sound like real aggression, but disclaimer: I've never seen him in person. However, if he were really aggressive, he'd have attacked and bitten somebody by now. His body would not be floppy and bouncy. If he's pouncing back and forth while growling, he's probably soliciting play. If he were biting out of aggression, his body would be very tense and rigid. He would not move quick and "floppy". A bouncing dog, pouncing back and forth around the pool, has loose and calm muscles. An aggressive dog has very tense, rigid muscles. The aggressive dog has entered a state of mind where he cannot control his actions. He'd be in a "strike" mode, like a cobra.

Honestly, it sounds like your dog is just being a very playful, mouthy puppy. It sounds like you might be reinforcing his inappropriate play behavior. Instead, when he barks, ignore him. If his nose is up your butt while you're trying to jump into the pool, stop moving and wait for him to leave you alone. You can also give him a chew toy to play with or confine him. If you're on the diving board and he's going after you, stand still as a statue and wait for him to leave you alone. If you hold out a hand and he mouths it, hold it there. He'll lose interest very quickly. You can repeat this many times so that he learns to ignore your hand. It's most important to give him alternative behaviors. Since he doesn't know how to control himself at the pool, teach him appropriate commands like a long "down/stay" and then give him a stuffed Kong.

[LiquidOC]

He doesn't really "mouth" your hand if you stick it on the side of the pool, he bites it. When we have non-family members over to use the pool, he stays inside because he will growl and "attack" (don't have a better word for it) you when you try to get in the pool. But I will try the two-person mode where he's on the leash, only problem is that the pool is closing on Sept 10th, should I even worry about it this year, or wait until next year to start? We are getting a GSD in November, so I don't know how these things are going to go. Thanks!

[Karen]

Absolutely start it now, and reinforce it every day until the pool closes. Has this pup ever done obedience training with you?

[LiquidOC]

No, unfortunately, he is a spoiled little "mama's" boy that doesn't really get any obediance training at all. I'm hoping that we can correct this before the GSD gets here, as she will pick up on all of his bad habits and we really don't want that.

[Giselle]

Good behavior starts with a solid foundation. I have a small dog, so I understand the impulse to "baby" the dog but I HIGHLY discourage this. No more being "mama's boy"! :)

- Enforce NILIF: k9deb.com/nilif.htm
- Practice basic obedience daily and practice in distractive places as he understands the commands better.
- Don't know how much you exercise him, but a bit more exercise can't hurt (just don't overdo it)
- Pay particular attention to the commands "stay" and "focus". These two commands are invaluable to dogs who need to learn how to calm down. If you or your dog are having trouble with these commands, find a trainer to help you.

GSDs are powerful, intelligent dogs. They easily overtake their novice owners. I'd highly suggest bringing your GSD to obedience classes and continue to train and socialize the dog throughout his/her life.

[LiquidOC]

The GSD will be going to obediance classes with myself and my son (12) so she has a strong foundation, and I will try and get all that other stuff to work before she gets here (should be around thanksgiving! :) ) Thanks for all your help!

[Karen]

Oh, good! Let us know how it goes!

[Daisy and Delilah]

I'm not sure if anyone already said this, but, have you had him since he was a puppy? Did he have a previous owner that possibly abused him by throwing him in a pool? Your description sounds like my girls around the vacuum cleaner. Could it be just sheer fright?