Hi All,

We just bought a new house and we now have a pool. My older dog has taken to swimming and we have taught her where the stairs are, so no problems with her.

However, my other GSD is very leary of the pool. It could be because my husband forced him in, and the dog panicked and has since been very afraid of going in. I was mad at my husband for making his first experience a bad one. I need advice now on how to get him over his fear of it.

I know that it is very important to get him to learn how to swim, and more importantly, where the stairs is.
It is now hot as hell here in Dallas, so the pool is almost a necessity.
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Joyce

Just you and the one dog:

Get a pocketful of fabulous treats. Sit near the pool with them. Dole them out. Move closer to the pool. Eventually sit on the top step. Then on a step where the dog must get his paws wet but not duck under.

And so on.

BTW, I think that your husband's error precludes the "march in casually with the dog on a leash" method, which can otherwise be quite useful with a dog who is just wary or undecided...

I would not do it.

Hi Connie,

I have tried this technique and so far he won't step foot in the pool at all.
Do I continue to keep trying or is there something more I can do to encourage him?

How close does he get? How great is the treat?

Also, do you have a kiddie pool?

I would leave him alone and let him watch you and the other dog from afar frolicing and having a great time in the pool. What's the hurry? No leash on him, he's on his on, no pressure at all.

 Quote: Debbie High

I would leave him alone and let him watch you and the other dog from afar frolicing and having a great time in the pool. What's the hurry? No leash on him, he's on his on, no pressure at all.

Great post. And the kiddie pool can be an intro to non-scary water.

Hi Joyce,

Connie's suggestion was great, but some dogs won't go into the pool for food (depends on the food drive). Cleo, for example, wouldn't go for the food, but we got her to swim anyways. Now we can't keep her OUT of the pool.

So, if you are having trouble with Connie's excellent suggestion, you might try the following (or a combination of both):

Have both dogs outside. Begin playing with the older dog in the pool. If the hydrophobic dog has a favorite toy, use that to play with the older dog. Make sure the younger sees you and the older dog playing and having a GREAT time in the pool. Splash around, laugh, praise the dog in the pool. As your younger dog comes close to the pool's edge, praise him to no end (and treat him if possible-- a la Connie's suggestion).

When he's comfortable at the pool's edge, approach him from in the pool. Make sure your approach is casual, slow, and non-threatening. I might even softly "coo" to him as I approach ("What a brave boy" That's my good boy" etc). When you arrive, pet him and praise him profusely. Let him feel the water from your hands. Make him comfortable by the pool, getting wet and being there with you while you are in the pool.

After a while the dog should, at least, come to the edge of the pool by the stairs. When he does throw another praise party.

Eventually, try to coax him onto the first stair using the toy or spashing or whatever he seems to like.

This method worked with Cleo and with my wife's new puppy Kenzie, who fell in the pool at 9 weeks old and was terrified of the water. Now she jumps in and swims to Marisa and me on command.

Hope this helps.

Good luck

Another great post!

Sometimes I forget that not all dogs will do anything to get a treat (like mine). LOL

I have taken my dogs to the doggy pool (Teagan's hip dysplasia) and for Luc, the other dog having fun in the water, toys, treats - hell no, he doesn't care.

Luc doesn't know he can swim. He tries to swim on top of water.

You might need to rachet it up to really high value treats, like raw meat. That and take it slow. We did, once Luc had gotten to the point of hovering on the deck, brought him into the pool, but I'm not sure it did him any favours, though I will say he now is better at crossing creeks when we backpack. Not sure there's a causal relationship there.