May 18, 2011
Is there a proper way to introduce a dog to the swimming pool? Any suggestions or do some dogs just not like to swim?
Full Question:
Hi Cindy and Ed,I love your website and training dvd's and free information as well as the quality products you guys sell over there.
Is there a "proper" or "best" way that you can recommend to introduce a dog to a swimming pool?
I have a year and a half old chow/lab mix that I got from the dog shelter 9 months ago. She swims just fine but does not like going in the pool. I have brought her in using chicken as a reward but she still doe not like it. She goes into the fish pond and loves it as it is very shallow and she can stand up in it.
Any suggestions or do some dogs just not like to swim?
Thank you,
Bob
Cindy's Answer:
We have a pool as well and I have found that you get the best results when you get in the pool (near the stairs in shallow end) with the dog.
I try to cradle them in the water right next to the stairs so they learn they can swim a bit and get out. This can take minutes or days, depending on the dog’s anxiety level. If your dog likes to retrieve, I have found that introducing a floating favorite toy (like a tennis ball, etc.) makes the process go faster. If they really like it, then you can use the toy and the pool for exercise.
We try to teach all of our dogs to swim and find the stairs, so we don’t have an accidental drowning. If they can’t find the stairs it can be very dangerous should they fall in when no one is watching.
Some dogs love to swim and some don’t, but for safety reasons we do make ALL of our dogs learn to swim and find their way to the steps.
Cindy
I try to cradle them in the water right next to the stairs so they learn they can swim a bit and get out. This can take minutes or days, depending on the dog’s anxiety level. If your dog likes to retrieve, I have found that introducing a floating favorite toy (like a tennis ball, etc.) makes the process go faster. If they really like it, then you can use the toy and the pool for exercise.
We try to teach all of our dogs to swim and find the stairs, so we don’t have an accidental drowning. If they can’t find the stairs it can be very dangerous should they fall in when no one is watching.
Some dogs love to swim and some don’t, but for safety reasons we do make ALL of our dogs learn to swim and find their way to the steps.
Cindy
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