Just wondering...Levi doesn't seem too thrilled yet about getting into the pool. It is, however, still rather nice outside and the water is still only about 70 degrees. My lab is in there all the time but Levi doesn't seem convinced. Do GDS usually take a liking to water? We have a boat and are planning on taking him out on it plus we are going to the beach in two weeks. Any ideas on helping him to enjoy water sports? We do live in Arizona where the temps reach 116 in the summer time..water out here is a way of life.

How old is Levi?

I live walking distance from the beach, so it was really important to me that my 12 week old Beagle liked swimming.

The first couple of times I took him to the beach he got close to the shore but whenever a wave came he ran inland so he wouldn't get wet. You can see his attitude in this pic.

I then found this cool spot with some rocks and water with no waves and I lured him in with some treats. He did go in and get wet, but as soon as he got his treat he ran back to dry land. He was about 10 weeks old at the time.

A couple of days ago I took him to a different spot with the same theme (rocks, water, no waves crashing) and I just walked in and called him (no treats). Well, to my surprise, he followed me and even had to swim at some points. He seemed like he was enjoying it!

Here are some pics so you can see the spot and little Ruy having fun.




And two more links so I don't overload.

Pic #1
Pic #2

PS: I've always had Labs before, and they just jumped right into the pool whenever it was too hot for them, which meant every 15 minutes. I always hated it because they were ALWAYS wet.

Hope this helps.

Richard Pryor-

I just wanted you to know that you have a beautiful dog!

 Quote: Chris Gibbons

Richard Pryor-

I just wanted you to know that you have a beautiful dog!

AMEN to that....Richard, you need to stop with the pics, he hurts my eyes because he is so darn adorable......makes me want a Beagle....hee hee

I think I tell Richard about his puppy every time I see his pups picture .He is the type of pup that would end up running our pack cause he is sooooo adorable. Richard I am sure when you go places he attracts a crowd .Beagles, IMO is about the only dog I think that stays looking like a pup for a very long time but yours I have to say his head is like a hush puppy...I can't show him to my kids anymore cause they want one too!! And he swims ..what a ham..

my pup is gsd cross and he wasnt so kean either, but a couple of days ago he descovered he did like it and went head first into a big muddy dyke near our house!
straight home for a bath! what a palarver! luckily these dykes are shallow and slowped so he could get out or i might of needed to go swimming

I got my GSD to swim by using a floating ball and my other GSD, got them both cranked up and got her to wade in after it throw it out a little further each time, swims all the time now

Hey Robbin, Is is a pool you're trying to get him to go into, or is it just water in general that he doesn't like?
Just a thought, my other dog I had LOVED water...if he found a puddle, didn't matter if it was only an inch deep, he would roll around in it. When we went up North or were at the beach he hated getting out of the water. But, no matter what I did with him, he would not jump into the pool. If he could wade into water he loved it, but refused to jump into the pool. Which i didn't mind later on when a friend of mine had to replace their whole pool liner because their dog decided to take a short cut and pull himself out of the pool. While scrabbling with his back paws to get a grip and push/pull himself out, he tore 3 huge holes in the liner. Expensive to replace.

I think maybe easing him into water games while you're at the beach would work pretty good. Toss a favorite toy in, not too far so that he just has to step into the water to get it. Thats what I did with Tucker...just tossed his ball on the shoreline just a bit in the water, praised him when he retreived it then gradually extended the distance. It took a bit of time though...if i threw it too far at first he would turn and look at me as if to say "no way, you go!" Then proceed to run up and down the beach. But once he got used to feeling the water out and learning he could swim...he was fine.

Wendy